Renal Replacement Therapy in Qatar—Past, Present and Future

Abstract

The economic development of Qatar alongside the resultant lifestyle changes in the last few decades has contributed to increasing rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension with consequent increased incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease and end-stage-renal-disease (ESRD). This article describes renal replacement therapy (RRT) services in Qatar and their evolution in response to challenges posed by the growth of ESRD with reference to regional and international data. It covers the history of RRT, highlighting significant advances in chronological order, as well as providing an overview of the current status of RRT in the multicultural and socioeconomically diverse society that inhabits Qatar. Finally, it casts a glance into the future, predicting how RRT services will further evolve to address the current limitations.