Increasing cases of chronic kidney ailment in Baramulla highlight groundwater contamination

Baramulla, Jan 10: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has emerged as a growing health concern across Baramulla district, with an alarming number of cases reported over the past few years.

In 2024 alone, over 320 CKD patients were admitted across five designated dialysis centres in the district, showing the growing number of such cases..

The Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla, which houses an eight-bed dialysis centre, has witnessed 407 CKD admissions since its establishment in June 2018.

A startling revelation is that 71 of these patients hail from Uri and its adjoining villages, raising concerns about potential environmental and lifestyle factors contributing to the disease in the Uri and its adjoining villages.

Health experts believe that apart from other factors, contaminated water, borewell water could also be reasons behind the rising CKD cases, especially in rural areas like Uri.

“Groundwater contamination is often linked to agricultural chemicals, or natural mineral deposits, which may lead to kidney damage when consumed over prolonged periods,” said nephrologist Dr Asif Wani.

“Excessive fluoride, nitrates, and heavy metals in borewell water can cause long-term damage to the kidneys. Regular testing of water sources is crucial to mitigate this risk,” he added.

While advocating for the lifestyle modification, Dr Asif urged people to lose weight and keep diabetes at bay, quit smoking and keep blood pressure in the normal range. “People must change their lifestyle and stick to a healthy diet, rich in fruit and vegetables,” he said.

Surprisingly, despite, growing number of CKD patients, there is not a single nephrologist available. In GMC Baramulla which is soon expanding its dialysis operation by increasing the number of beds, there is not a single nephrologist available, with the result, most of the CKD patients had to rush to Srinagar hospitals for the treatment. The Baramulla district administration has recently signed an MOU with the NHPC for the expansion of the services at dialysis centre GMC Baramulla under the NHPC’S CSR initiative.

The MOU announced will ensure more facilities for the growing number of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) patients. However, most of the patients here believe that in the absence of a nephrologist, the facilities will have minimal impact on the welfare of the patients.

“The expansion of services at Dialysis centre GMC Baramulla is always welcome. However, it is equally important that the hospital should have a nephrologist available. It is an irony that the lone Dialysis centre at GMC Baramulla is without a nephrologist,” said Bashir Ahmad, a civil society member.

In 2024, 320 CKD patients were admitted at five dialysis centres, 407 CKD patients admitted at dialysis centre Govt Medical College Baramulla in last 6 years, out of which 71 were from Uri and its adjoining villages. Health experts believe groundwater Contamination as the core reason for the growing number of CKD patients and urge for lifestyle modification.