Painkillers, herbal medicines fueling kidney disease

“Most patients who take herbal medicine think that because it is natural, it is safe. Unfortunately, many of these products have unknown ingredients and unknown doses. They don’t only injure the kidneys, but also the liver,” Kalyesubula said. Specialists are also blaming the widespread habit of self-medicating with painkillers for the growing burden of kidney disease.

Health experts have raised concern over the growing misuse of over-the-counter painkillers and unregulated herbal medicines, warning that the practices are silently driving a rise in the prevalence of kidney disease in Uganda and pushing many families into devastating healthcare costs.