By Rathindra Kuruwita

There were 20,000 patients with kidney issues in the Anuradhapura District by 2023, Dr. Nadeesha Wickramaarachchi, Consultant Nephrologist at the Transplant Centre of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital said.

She said that over 4,000 people had died between 2019 and 2024 in the District due to kidney diseases.

“About 1,200 new patients were registered with our clinics in the last year. Between 18 and 20 new patients start dialysis each month,” she said.

Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Aetiology (CKDu) was prevalent in the North Central province, Dr. Wickramaarachchi said. Despite numerous research, scientists had not yet singled out the cause for CKDu, she said.

“This might be caused by agrochemicals, genetics, heavy metals in water or long term dehydration,” she said.

Dr. Wickramaarachchi said about 40 percent of diabetics suffered from kidney diseases. Most of the kidney patients that came to her were obese, she added.

“Most people don’t care too much about putting on weight, but obesity leads to many diseases. People who have been using painkillers for a long period of time and those who smoke are also more vulnerable to kidney diseases,” she said.

Dr. Wickramaarachchi said kidney patients could control the disease with medication and following the correct lifestyle and food habits.

She said that being properly hydrated was a way to minimise the risk of kidney diseases. A male should drink at least three litres of water a day and a woman 2.5 litres, she said.

“Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day is also important,” she said. Dr. Wickramaarachchi added that if kidney diseases could be diagnosed in early stages, they could be treated effectively.

The government spent about Rs 14,000 for each dialysis. If kidney diseases could be diagnosed early they could be controlled and a lot of money saved.

Dr. Maithri Fernando, Consultant Nephrologist at National Nephrology Hospital said the situation in Polonnaruwa was as grave as Anuradhapura. The hospital had 50 dialysis machines, but there was a need for at least 30 more such machines to deal with the large number of kidney patients who needed assistance.

“There are so many new cases, sometimes people have to wait to get a date at the clinic,” he said.

Dr. Fernando said the state conducted a large number of screening programmes for kidney diseases in areas with a high prevalence. People who suspect that they might be prone to the diseases can avail these services, he said.

“Those living in areas with a high prevalence of kidney diseases must get tested twice a year,” he said.

Dr. Fernando said some kidney patients were resorting to shamanic practices and trying other untested herbal medicine. Given that there are now many effective medicines for kidney diseases, there is no need to take a chance, he said.

“We now have a class of drugs known as sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which has been hailed as one of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve had for kidney disease in 30 years,” he said.