The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has warned that contaminated drinking water is fueling a growing kidney disease crisis in Pakistan, with tens of thousands of new patients expected to require life-saving treatment this year.
The warning came in a message issued on World Kidney Day, observed annually to raise awareness about kidney health. This year’s theme is “Kidney health for all, caring for people, protecting the planet.”
Thousands of New Kidney Failure Cases Expected
According to the Pakistan Medical Association, Pakistan could see between 25,000 and 50,000 new end-stage renal disease patients this year, many of whom will require dialysis or kidney transplantation.
Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, representing the PMA, said the situation is alarming because up to 80 percent of the population lacks access to safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan.
Water Contamination Linked to Kidney Failure
Health experts say studies conducted across the country have found heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, along with harmful pathogens, in drinking water supplies.
In Karachi, more than 90 percent of water sources are reportedly contaminated with hazardous pollutants, which experts say contribute to rising cases of kidney disease, including among children.
The problem is worsened by shortages of utilities in the city, forcing many residents to use water without boiling or proper filtration.
Call for National Emergency Plan
The Pakistan Medical Association has called for a national emergency plan to ensure access to clean and filtered water across the country.
The association criticized authorities for allocating large funds to kidney treatment facilities while neglecting preventive measures such as providing safe drinking water.
Growing Burden of Chronic Kidney Disease
Medical data cited by PMA suggests that chronic kidney disease affects about 15–20 percent of adults over the age of 40 in Pakistan, with an annual incidence of up to 100 cases per million people.
The association also expressed concern that Pakistan’s health spending remains below 1 percent of GDP, urging the government to significantly increase funding for healthcare services.
Demand for More Dialysis Centers
The PMA has called for:
- Expansion of dialysis centers and nephrology departments in public hospitals
- Increased funding for basic health units to improve early screening for diabetes and hypertension, the leading causes of kidney failure
Public Health Advice
Health experts advised the public to take preventive measures, including:
- Drinking boiled or filtered water
- Avoiding untreated groundwater, which may contain heavy metals
- Regularly monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar levels
Experts say uncontrolled diabetes and hypertension account for more than 60 percent of kidney failure cases.
The association also warned against high-sodium junk foods, processed snacks, and sugary drinks, noting that poor diet and childhood obesity are increasing the risk of kidney disease in younger populations.
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