Kidney diseases increasing in Upper Chitral

BOONI: It is alarming that a phenomenal increase has been seen in the number of people suffering from kidney diseases in the district of Upper Chitral.

As the number of kidney patients increasing, the government has failed to take any step to open new health units or improve the condition of hospitals both in Upper and Lower Chitral.

Notwithstanding the government’s claim about health sector reforms, there is only one dialysis machine in whole Chitral. This dialysis machine at the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Lower Chitral most of the time remains out of order due to patient load.

Talking to ChitralToday, social activist and Tehreek Huqooq-e-Awam leader Pervez Lal said causes behind the increase in kidney diseases in the area was not known, but lack of medical facilities has worsened suffering of patients and their relatives. 

He said in the recent past a large number of people have either died of kidney failure or diagnosed with severe kidney ailments. Many more cases remain undiagnosed due to lack of medical facilities.     

Most of the patients cannot afford going to major cities for treatment such as undergoing dialysis.

He said time and gain the Tehreek had brought the issue of lack of medical facilities in the new district under the notice of higher authorities but no steps were taken to redress the issue.

Upper Chitral was declared a new district in 2017 but so far the Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) hospital IN Booni has not been upgraded to the status of a DHQ hospital. 

He appealed to the chief minister, chief secretary and the health secretary health to take notice of the issue and provide basic facilities to treat kidney ailments and other diseases in Booni, the headquarters of the Upper Chitral.