4
Karachi, March 13 (ANI): Pakistan is facing a worsening public health emergency as widespread consumption of polluted drinking water contributes to a sharp rise in kidney failure cases across the country.
Medical experts warn that thousands of people are developing life-threatening renal conditions each year due to unsafe water supplies and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
The concerns were highlighted by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) in a message issued on World Kidney Day, according to a report by Dawn.
The PMA warned that Pakistan could record between 25,000 and 50,000 new cases of end-stage renal disease this year, leaving many patients dependent on dialysis or kidney transplants to survive. The association noted that the crisis is closely tied to the widespread contamination of drinking water across the country.
Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, representing the PMA, said that nearly 80 per cent of Pakistan’s population lacks reliable access to safe drinking water, exposing millions of people to harmful toxins.
The situation is particularly severe in rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan, where residents often rely on untreated groundwater sources. Studies conducted in several regions of Pakistan have revealed alarming levels of contamination in drinking water.
Experts have identified dangerous concentrations of arsenic, lead, toxic minerals, and disease-causing pathogens, all of which can cause serious damage to kidney function over time.
Research conducted in major urban centres such as Karachi has also revealed that more than 90 per cent of available water sources contain hazardous pollutants, raising significant public health concerns.
The crisis has been compounded by rising fuel costs and persistent energy shortages. In Karachi, more than 80 per cent of residents are forced to purchase water, adding a significant financial burden on households.
Additionally, gas shortages prevent many families from boiling water before drinking, increasing their exposure to contaminated sources, according to Dawn.
Medical professionals have criticised government priorities, arguing that authorities continue to allocate large budgets to specialised kidney treatment facilities while failing to invest adequately in clean drinking water systems and preventive infrastructure.
The PMA estimates that chronic kidney disease already affects 15 to 20 per cent of adults over the age of 40 in Pakistan, with an annual incidence rate of about 100 cases per million people.
Calling the situation a national emergency, the association urged the government to strengthen water infrastructure, increase healthcare funding, and expand dialysis services in public hospitals to support low-income patients.
Experts stress that without urgent intervention to improve water quality, Pakistan’s kidney disease burden is likely to continue rising in the coming years. (ANI)
423 words, 2 minutes read time.
About The Author
