TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Health Insurance Administration Director Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) said Tuesday that screenings and healthy living can reduce the likelihood of needing dialysis, CNA reported.

World Kidney Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of March, highlights that nearly 850 million people worldwide suffer from kidney disease, according to the WHO.

Shih said hypertension, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and obesity are key risk factors for kidney disease. He also cited medication misuse as a contributing factor.

Kidney disease often presents no obvious symptoms in its early stages, Shih said. To facilitate early detection of chronic diseases, individuals aged 30 to 39 can receive a free health check-up every five years, those aged 40 to 64 every three years, and those aged 65 and above can receive a free health check-up annually.

The National Health Insurance program will also cover new medications designed to prevent the deterioration of kidney function, Shih said.

Taiwan Society of Nephrology Chair Wu Mai-ssu (吳麥斯) said that Taiwan has comprehensive kidney care and urged healthy individuals to undergo screenings. Wu also said early treatment and management of kidney disease can help reverse the condition.

Taiwan Medical Clinics Association Chair Chen Hung-lin (陳宏麟) added that Taiwan, an ultra-aged society, relies heavily on clinic care. He emphasized that kidney disease is progressive and early detection is crucial for timely recovery.

Taiwan's National Health Insurance expenditures for kidney disease reached NT$59.2 billion (US$ 1.94 billion) in 2023. The number of dialysis patients surpassed 97,000 in 2022 and 2023, giving Taiwan one of the world's highest proportions of dialysis patients.