BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) -Belizean authorities are monitoring the presence of non-traditional chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is due to long hours in the sun, dehydration, and exposure to agrochemicals.

CDK occurs when the kidneys slowly get damaged and can’t do important jobs like removing waste and keeping blood pressure normal.

The Ministry of Health has held a sensitisation session in Belize City, bringing together employers and health professionals to raise awareness and push for better protections for workers on the ground.

Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard says this is now a top priority, as Belize joins other Central American nations in tackling what’s becoming a regional health crisis.

Director of Hospital Services in the Ministry of Health, Jorge Polanco, says in the Central American region it has been found there are an increasing number of young persons, especially field workers, males in their productive age appearing with chronic kidney disease.

He said the initial study has shown an association, a relationship with their condition of work in the field, for example extreme exposure to heat stress, long periods of dehydration, absorption of heavy metals and pesticides used the in  agriculture field.

“This raised the attention of the ministers of health a few years ago and in 2018 the ministers of health of central America gave a mandate for the countries to put together plans and intervention to address these environmental risk,’ he said.

Agriculture Minister Jose Mai, said “after he read about the problem he has realised there is a strong possibility it is affecting the Belizean population.

“I can speak from the agriculture perspective, especially in the sugar industry where you have cane cutter working from five in the morning to twelve in the afternoon in the blazing sun. If you just walk without working the fields you will feel the heat.

“That is why the cane cutters will ask for a big coke and food, first it was chips now they are asking for food. Cane cutting is a slaving, inhumane job. If you are not properly hydrated and cutting cane in the heat, you can understand the effects of those conditions on a human being,” he added.