Expert foreign opinion sought as chronic kidney disease spreads

Immediate measures are being taken, with the participation of foreign experts, to find the cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which is on the increase in the North Central, North Western and Uva Provinces.

Although the exact cause of the disease has not been found, experts advise the public in these areas to avoid using aluminium vessels for storing water and for other purposes including cooking and preferably choose pots and vessels made of clay. Fluoride, heavy metal, addiction to alcohol and dehydration are some of the issues which are being suspected of having an impact on kidney failures.

The Sunday Times learns that more than 6,000 persons with symptoms of renal failure are registered in clinics in the North Central, Uva and North Western provinces. Meanwhile the Government spends Rs. 350 million annually for treatment of this chronic disease.

According to health officials the worst affected areas are Anuradhapura, Padaviya, Medawachchiya and Girandurukotte. Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Sarath Weerabandara said nearly 2000 patients are registered at the clinics and around 700 of them are on blood dialyses. “The number is increasing every year. We are in the process of developing a renal care unit at Anuradhapura as it is one of the districts which has the highest number of cases,” he said.

The North Western Province (NWP) is also one of the provinces which has recorded a huge number of patients suffering from symptoms of kidney failure. NWP Provincial Health Director Dr. Sunil de Alwis said the highest number of patients have been recorded in Nikawewa area near Galgamuwa and clinics have taken random urine tests from people in suspected areas.

“Through initial urine tests taken recently we have noticed a significant increase in the number of patients in these areas. “Last year 191 positive cases were found after screening, and in 2008, 195 cases were reported up to March.

“Seventy of the cases were sent for scanning as these were believed to be patients with a high possibility of renal failure,” he said. “We request the public to use non-aluminium vessels for cooking and to always boil water for drinking. We have also started projects with the Water Board to provide filtered water,” he said.

Around 100 local and foreign experts will work together over 18 months to formulate a feasible research proposal on the prevention of chronic kidney disease in the country. They will advise on preventive methods.

“Globally there is past experience with the Balkan Endemic Nephropathy (BEN) which refers to a very similar incidence of chronic renal failure in several areas in the Balkan region, including Rumania, Kosovo and Bosnia.

“Establishing the factors responsible for BEN took at least two decades,” WHO country director Dr. Augustino Borra said. He said that with the team of experts they would be able to achieve the objective of finding a rational solution to this public health problem within a short time frame to save people in the affected areas from further disaster.