Saving children from kidney diseases spreading in epidemic proportion in certain areas of the North Central Province (NCP) and dissemination of information

Twenty percent of adults and forty percent of children suffer from kidney ailments in the Padaviya, Medawachchiya, Siripura, Kebithigollewa, Mahavilachchiya, Thanthirimale, Welioya, Eppawala, Medirigiriya, Welikanda, Aranthalawa, and Girandurukotte in the NCP. These are the worst affected areas.

The Dharmavijaya Foundation has been holding several joint meetings since August 2008 with representatives of stakeholder organisations like the Ministry of Health, National Water Board, CISIR, Non-governmental organisations, manufacturers of water filtering units etc. The leadership was given by Dr. Sunil J. Wimalawansa, Professor of Medicine, Physiology & Integrative Biology and Director, Regional Osteoporosis Centre, New Brunswick, USA. One of the outcomes was the development of an educational leaflet to create awareness of families in the affected areas.

The attributed reasons for kidney failure are many and finality has not been reached. A large scale research project is underway under the auspices of the World Health Organisation. There is consensus, however, that this unusual phenomenon is due to wrong farming practices and the excessive use of agro-chemicals, pesticides, weedicides etc., whereby chemicals like fluoride, cadmium, lead and other residuals have polluted the water. 

It is the general view that drinking contaminated water and the consumption of vegetables, fruits, grains and pulses that may have traces of agrochemicals, pesticides etc., that have been used in the cultivation process and not properly washed before use have increasingly jeopardised health. The ill-fated outcomes are  

  • the birth of children with low mental capacity;
  • terminal kidney diseases;
  • mental ailments;
  • numerous long term illnesses; and
  • allergies of the liver and liver infections
     

Community responsibility

There is a great responsibility cast on bhikkhus, the clergy, community leaders, heads of farmer associations and government officials in this regard.

  • The community should be forewarned of the long term adverse effects of use of chemicals on the health of the family.
  • Farmers, especially paddy farmers, staying long hours in the sun should be advised to increase their intake of purified water during the farming seasons.
  • Long term plans should be drawn and implemented, as a matter of urgency, for supply of pipe borne / uncontaminated purified water.
  • Community participation should be sought in implementing proper retention and storage of rain water.
  • Instructions should be given on good food habits.

We need your assistance in saving our people from the epidemic of kidney failure. Contact us at dharmavijaya.lk@gmail.com