Red Cross supports Government’s initiative to combat kidney disease in Polonnaruwa

05/11/2017 – Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka:

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society took steps to distribute water filters to over 400 families in Pulasithi, Polonnaruwa in order to assist people in the area who are fighting kidney disease.

The handing over ceremony took place under the patronage of the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena and the President of Sri Lanka Red Cross Jagath Abeysinghe.

The initiative, which is a part of Sri Lanka Red Cross’s ongoing Health programmes, aims to provide water filters to people living in at-risk communities in the district. The funding for this programme was provided by the Red Cross Society of China under its longstanding working relations with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a widespread disease caused by wide range of precipitating factors. According to available health statistics, there are approximately 20,000 admissions/ re-admissions of patients with renal failure to government hospitals with approximately 2,000 deaths annually.

There are approximately 70,000 estimated CKD/CKDu patients in known high-risk areas of which majority are from North Central Province. Madawachchiya, Padaviya, Kabathigollawa, Rambawa, Madirigiriya, Wilgamuwa, Girandurukotte, Padavi Sripura, Gomerankadawala, Dehiattakandiya, Polpithigama and Welioya Medical Officer of Health (MOH)/Divisional Secretariat (DS) areas have a high prevalence of CKD/CKDu.

Addressing the gathering President Sirisena thanked the voluntary work of the Red Cross and especially the support provided by the Red Cross Society of China.

He raised the importance of continuing this work as people who have fell victim to this disease are in the most vulnerable state.

President Sirisena also requested the Red Cross to continue to assist in this work in the future as well.