Addressing Underdiagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease in Kazakhstan: a Public Health Perspective

Alimzhan Muxunov 1 * , Zhannat Kuanshaliyeva 1
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1 Clinical Academic Department of Internal Medicine, CF "University Medical Center", Astana, Kazakhstan
* Corresponding Author
J CLIN MED KAZ, Volume 23, Issue 3, pp. 85-91. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/18694
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Author Contributions: Conceptualization, A. M.; methodology - not applicable; validation - not applicable; formal analysis - not applicable; investigation, A.M; resources - not applicable; data curation - not applicable; writing - original draft preparation, A.M.; writing - review and editing, A. M. and Z. K.; visualization, A. M.; supervision, Z. K.; project administration - not applicable; funding acquisition, A.M. and Z. K. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding: This research was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP26197503).

Data availability statement: The corresponding author can provide the data supporting the study's conclusions upon request. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure Statement: The authors declare no AI Tools used for preparation of this work.

ABSTRACT

Chronic kidney disease represents a growing public health challenge in Kazakhstan, yet a substantial proportion of cases remain undiagnosed. National registry data suggest lower recorded prevalence compared with global estimates, while local epidemiological studies indicate that many individuals live with impaired kidney function without awareness of their condition. Late diagnosis limits opportunities for early intervention, contributes to adverse clinical outcomes, and increases long-term healthcare costs, particularly when patients progress to end-stage kidney disease. Although Kazakhstan has strengthened prevention and early detection of several non-communicable diseases through primary healthcare services, chronic kidney disease is not currently included as a dedicated condition within national screening programs and is largely detected through opportunistic testing. This perspective examines key barriers to systematic chronic kidney disease detection, including laboratory requirements, geographic dispersion, rural - urban disparities, workforce constraints, and low public awareness. Drawing on international evidence, the paper discusses potential approaches to improve early detection that are compatible with national health system capacity. A phased, risk-stratified strategy integrated into existing primary care and chronic disease management pathways may offer a feasible starting point. Complementary delivery models, including point-of-care diagnostics and community-based outreach services, could further expand access in underserved regions. Context-specific economic and implementation research is needed to guide sustainable policy decisions and optimize screening strategies.
Keywords: Chronic Kidney Disease, Health Policy, Mass Screening, Public Health, Primary Health Care, Central Asia

CITATION

Muxunov A, Kuanshaliyeva Z. Addressing Underdiagnosis of Chronic Kidney Disease in Kazakhstan: a Public Health Perspective. J CLIN MED KAZ. 2026;23(3):85-91. https://doi.org/10.23950/jcmk/18694

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