Brazil dialysis patient numbers grow 55% in a decade

The number of patients undergoing dialysis in Brazil has increased by 55% over the last decade, according to data from the National Dialysis Observatory of the Brazilian Association of Dialysis and Transplant Centers (ABCDT). The patient population is growing at an annual rate of 9.2%, currently totaling 170,868 individuals in treatment.

Despite this growth, access to renal care remains marked by significant regional inequalities. Nearly half of all patients (47.7%) are located in the Southeast region, which accounts for 41.8% of the national population. In contrast, the North region represents only 5% of treatments despite containing 8.5% of the population, suggesting potential gaps in diagnosis and service availability.

To highlight these challenges and the human impact of chronic kidney disease, the ABCDT launched the ‘Life Beyond Dialysis’ campaign in observance of National Dialysis Day.