Workshops to increase awareness on kidney disease

by L. S. Ananda Wedaarachchi

A series of workshops was launched by the Child Development and Women’s Affairs Ministry to educate women on measures to control the kidney disease which has taken a heavy toll on lives in the North Central Province.

The inaugural workshops were held last week at Ihala Ambatale in the Tirappane Divisional Secretary’s Division and Vetakolugama in the Galnewa Divisional Secretary’s Division under the patronage of Child Development and Women’s Affairs Minister Tissa Karalliyadde.

The Minister told the participants that the uncontrolled use of chemical fertiliser and pesticides for agriculture in the North Central Province has polluted the water bed of the area.

Health researchers have identified the consumption of polluted water and the use of aluminium kitchenware for cooking as the two main causes for the kidney disease, he said.

He called upon the participants to take the lead in the village to encourage the use of compost fertiliser for cultivation and earthenware for cooking and also to refrain from the consumption of liquor.

Sets of earthenware for cooking were also presented to the participants at the conclusion of the workshop.

Twenty-four pottery villages in the North Central Province were also benefited by this program due to the revival of their industry, he said.