Islamabad:The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised concerns over a growing crisis of kidney failures in Pakistan, warning that between 25,000 and 50,000 new cases of end-stage renal disease may emerge in the country this year.
The warning was issued on the World Kidney Day, which this year focuses on the theme ‘Kidney health for all, caring for people, protecting the planet’. Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, representing the PMA, said that contaminated water remains a primary cause of renal failure in Pakistan.
He noted that according to reports, as much as 80 percent of the population does not have access to safe drinking water. "The problem is particularly acute in rural areas, especially in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan."
Dr Shoro stated that studies conducted in various regions of the country have found water supplies contaminated with heavy metals, including high levels of arsenic and lead. He emphasized that these contaminants, along with hard water, are contributing to the rising incidence of kidney disease.
The PMA leader underscored the urgent need for improved access to clean water as a means of preventing further increases in kidney-related illnesses. He called for immediate action from authorities to address water contamination and to raise public awareness about the risks associated with unsafe drinking water.
