Thousands
of innocent people living in the North Central Province (NCP) have died due to
a chronic kidney disease which has been sweeping across the region. Others have
been confined to the sick bed with regular kidney dialysis being the only hope
of day to day survival. (Ack. Bandara et al) CKD is
not related to diabetes, hypertension, snake bite or any other known causes of traditional
chronic kidney disease (Source: WHO).
As many
as 400,000 people in the north-central region of Sri Lanka may be affected by the
chronic kidney disease (CKD), and as many as 22,000 people may have died over
the last two decades as a result.
Various
experts have given different possible causes for the disease such as:
•
Presence of heavy
metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury
•
Agro-chemicals such as
weedicides, pesticides and fertiliser
Recent
report identifies cadmium and arsenic as the probable main cause. Possible
solutions include:
- Educating people about the problem
- Use filters, with active carbon or rice husk ash as the active ingredient
- Use natural spring water
- Transport water (Bowsers, Bullock cart)
- Use rain water harvesting (Plastic sheet on roof, and brick lined hole on the ground)
- De silt reservoirs
- Improve the quality of food
- Banning offending agrochemicals
- Biological pest control
- Organic farming
- Keeping chicken for eggs
- Holistic approach including improving diet
- Supply piped water
The affected people need help without further delay. If
individuals can even contribute a small amount to help the affected people, the
cumulative effect would be large and
significant. Help could be in the form
of assistance towards rainwater harvesting, transport of water or even making
filters. A committee of Engineers and other professionals could help these
affected people. Also there is a need to lobby the Government and other
organisations to
supply piped water and banning offensive agrochemicals. There is an urgent need to help the voiceless and powerless people
who are dying and suffering unnecessarily.
Further
information:
2. Source: kidney disease kills thousands
http://www.publicintegrity.
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