With an average of 8,000 new cases detected each year, he warned that if the trend is not checked, it will impose a severe economic burden on the healthcare system.

“If the present trend of 8,000 cases a year continues unchecked, the number of end-stage kidney failure patients is going to be huge in the future.

“It will cost the healthcare system an estimated RM1.5 billion to RM3.2 billion annually to treat,” he said when opening the National Kidney Foundation’s 16th Annual Dialysis Conference today.

He said kidney diseases have become a significant public health concern with an ever-increasing prevalence, with diabetes being among the main contributors to the problem.

Khairy added that it was important to raise awareness of kidney diseases to prevent their onset and complications.

He urged the public to undergo regular tests and seek treatment from nephrologists to check if they are at risk of developing kidney diseases.

Meanwhile, Khairy also said that the ministry is planning to add a feature to the MySejahtera app to allow the public to sign up as organ donors.

He said this would address the shortage of organ donations and increase in the number of patients needing organ transplants.