KHI highlights kidney care initiatives on World Kidney Day

Awareness programme, membership card and website launched

Students form a human kidney during the World Kidney Day awareness programme

Chennai, 10th March 2026: KHI, an NGO which works for the welfare of patients with kidney disease, organised a World Kidney Day awareness programme at Dr.MGR Janaki College of Arts & Science in Chennai to highlight the importance of kidney health, early detection of kidney disease and patient support.
KHI has been actively supporting kidney patients across Tamil Nadu, and its initiatives are now expanding to Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Prabhu Kanchi, Founder Trustee of KHI said, “The organisation focuses on improving access to kidney care through initiatives such as Zero Dialysis, aART (Adult Assistance for Renal Transplant) and KITES (Kidney Transplant Support for Children). KHI also conducts kidney disease awareness programmes, medical camps, free medicine distribution and nephrology consultations for economically disadvantaged patients”.

“As we observe World Kidney Day 2026, we must confront a sobering reality – 1 in every 8 people is affected by Chronic Kidney Disease in India. What is most concerning is the velocity of progression; every year, approximately 2.2 lakh new patients reach end-stage kidney failure, creating a staggering annual demand for over 34 million dialysis sessions. But, only 10,000 transplants are done in a year and there is a desperate need to bridge the gap”, Dr. Prabhu Kanchi further added.

The programme was conducted in a women’s college, reflecting the belief that women are the pillar of the family, society and the nation, and that awareness created among women helps spread knowledge within families and communities.

As part of the awareness initiative, nearly 400 students formed the shape of a human kidney, symbolising the importance of collective responsibility towards kidney health. The programme featured awareness talks by students, an experience-sharing session by a kidney transplant survivor and addresses by invited guests.

KHI also introduced a membership card for kidney patients, aimed at providing concessions on laboratory investigations, imaging tests and essential dialysis medications.
Five dialysis technicians were honoured with the “Dialysis Guardian Awards” in recognition of their dedicated service to patients.
The event also witnessed the launch of the KHI website, highlighting the organisation’s work in kidney disease awareness, dialysis access, transplant support and patient welfare initiatives.

Prof. Dr. Neelamekam Kapali, Trustee of KHI, and Ms. Subashanthini Palanisamy, Advisor to KHI, were present at the event and emphasised the need for greater awareness, early diagnosis and community participation in preventing kidney disease.