A lifestyle change can still turn around kidney damage, if detected early, a health expert on diabetes said on Wednesday.
According to Dr. Reynaldo Rosales, treasurer of Diabetes Philippines, many Filipinos, especially those with hypertension and diabetes, have no chronic kidney disease (CKD) symptoms until kidney damage is advanced.
To set the stage for early intervention, Diabetes Philippines is partnering with Mercury Drug and AstraZeneca to offer free Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine (UACR) testing, a painless, non-invasive procedure that can detect early signs of kidney damage.
The screenings will be available to more than 13,000 Filipinos at four Mercury Drug branches, including Pavilion Mall and Shangri‑La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, TriNoma Mall in Quezon City, and a branch in Noveleta, Cavite.
The program builds on the nationwide CKD Screening Caravan, which previously reached over 50 branches and demonstrated the importance of early, community-based detection.
CKD is a progressive condition in which kidneys gradually lose the ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood, often producing no noticeable symptoms until it becomes severe.
Because advanced CKD can lead to serious complications, including dialysis, early detection is considered essential, and a 2022 study showed Philippine cases have risen to 35.94 percent, above the global average.
“Early detection is the most powerful tool we have against CKD. Together, we can detect CKD earlier, prevent progression, and improve health outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Cyril Tolosa, Director for Medical Affairs at AstraZeneca Philippines.
The UACR test measures albumin, a protein, in urine relative to creatinine, allowing doctors to identify kidney stress before permanent damage occurs.
Mercury Drug pharmacists and on-site healthcare workers help participants interpret results and plan next steps, while AstraZeneca supports the initiative as part of its mission to reduce the burden of cardio-renal-metabolic conditions nationwide.
