News

ISN advances global action on kidney health at WHA79,
one year after landmark WHO resolution

May 23, 2026

The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) contributed to key discussions on kidney health during the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, bringing together policymakers, clinicians, and global health partners to examine how recent global commitments can be translated into action.

Taking place nearly one year after the adoption of the first-ever World Health Organization (WHO) resolution on kidney health, this year’s Assembly focused on sustaining momentum and identifying practical approaches to disease prevention and early detection, and access to care within health systems.

Highlighting pathways from policy to implementation

On May 20, the ISN co-hosted a side event with Devex, “Kidney Health for All: Delivering Comprehensive Care From Prevention to Treatment,” which convened representatives from governments, international organizations, and the global health community. This event was hosted with support from ISN strategic partners Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis and Vantive.

Discussions focused on how countries can begin to operationalize the WHO kidney health resolution, including through the integration of kidney care into universal health coverage (UHC) and broader noncommunicable disease (NCD) strategies. Participants highlighted the importance of cost-effective care models, early intervention, and stronger health systems. Kidney health was positioned as a critical indicator of health system performance, reflecting the need to integrate it more fully into these structures.

ISN President Marcello Tonelli said: “One year after the adoption of the WHO kidney health resolution, the focus is now on implementation, moving from the ‘why’ to the ‘how.’ Discussions at WHA79 emphasized that kidney care is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage and advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3.8. By connecting policy, primary care, and health financing, we can help translate global commitments into practical action and support progress in the lead-up to the 2027 UN High-Level Meeting on UHC.”

Integrated approaches across the life course

The ISN contributed to the official WHO side event, “Gestational Diabetes and Beyond: Strengthening Primary Care for Integrated Reno-Metabolic Health Across the Life Course.” The event was co-hosted by Guatemala, Kenya, Tanzania, the International Diabetes Federation, the World Diabetes Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

The session explored how integrated primary care approaches can address interconnected conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes across the life course. Speakers emphasized the role of early identification, task-sharing, and coordinated care models as keys to improving outcomes while reducing pressure on health systems.

Reinforcing kidney health within the global agenda

Together, these engagements reflect ongoing efforts to embed kidney health within broader global health priorities, including universal health coverage and integrated NCD strategies. They also build on recent milestones, such as the WHO kidney health resolution and the United Nations political declaration on NCDs and mental health, reinforcing the ISN’s role in supporting the follow-through needed to turn global commitments into tangible progress.

Smeeta Sinha, national clinical director for renal services at NHS England, added: “In England, kidney replacement therapy is already delivered through the National Health Service (NHS) within a universal health coverage framework. The focus has therefore been on strengthening prevention, early detection, and long-term planning to meet rising demand. Maintaining high-quality, equitable care while supporting workforce capacity remains a key priority. Continued alignment of national approaches with global priorities will be essential to support practical action and improve outcomes for patients.”

Looking ahead, the ISN will continue to work with the WHO, Member States, and partners to support implementation efforts and advance kidney health as part of resilient and equitable health systems, including in the lead-up to the 2027 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage.

The ISN’s presence at WHA was also reflected in its engagement with several constituency statements:

• The ISN led a constituency statement under agenda item 12.1 “Follow-up to the political declaration of the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases”
• In addition, the ISN joined statements led by partner organizations, including:
  • Agenda item 12.4: “Universal health coverage”, led by the World Stroke Organization
  • Agenda item 12.5: “Primary healthcare”, led by the International Association for Dental Research
  • Agenda item 12.6: “Health in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development”, led by the World Heart Federation
  • Agenda item 15.5: “Draft strategy on the economics of health for all”, led by the International Council of Nurses