Chhattisgarh Reports Sharp Rise in Kidney Ailments; Most Transplant Patients Travel Out of State

Chhattisgarh received 2,890 applications for kidney transplants between January 2023 and July 2026, according to a report from Raipur. Yearly transplants reportedly rose from 195 to 312. The report describes this as a rise of nearly 40 percent, although the two figures it quotes imply an increase closer to 60 percent, so the percentage should be treated with caution.

The report says kidney ailments have risen sharply in almost all districts over the past three years, and that most cases are diagnosed at stage three, when a transplant is the only option. Citing figures from the Union Health Ministry, it says kidney disease cases in the state now exceed those of cancer, tuberculosis and stroke.

As of July 31, 132 patients were waiting for a transplant and needed a matching donor. Some hospitals in the capital have begun kidney transplant surgeries, but more than 90 percent of patients still travel to Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal and southern states for treatment.

The report links the rise to alcohol and tobacco use, irregular meal times and poor lifestyle habits. Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and smaller districts have all seen more cases.

Dr P. Gupta, a nephrologist, said families of brain-dead patients are often reluctant to donate kidneys, although one donor can save two patients. Many patients wait for years to find a donor with a matching blood group.

Doctors generally advise regular blood pressure and blood sugar checks, adequate water intake and avoiding unnecessary painkillers, and say early detection can delay or prevent kidney failure.