Headaches, organ damage and even death’: how salty water is putting Bangladesh’s pregnant women at risk
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Khan conducted a second study in 2011 with Imperial College London and the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, which found the salt intake among women in Dacope was well above the World Health Organization’s recommended levels. It confirmed a strong relationship between salt intake and the risk of developing pre-eclampsia and hypertension.
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“When Cyclone Aila hit in 2009, it left behind a trail of destruction, breaching embankments and leaving the entire region submerged in salt water,” says Dr Santosh Kumar, a gynaecologist at the hospital. “With most freshwater infrastructure destroyed, the coastal region has been facing an acute drinking water crisis. The extent of the impact on people’s health is only now being realised.”
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“The main issue is a lack of awareness,” says Sarkar, who has been working with the Bangladesh health ministry to create information that can be easily distributed among villages. “Awareness building on proper pregnancy care and safe drinking water practices will enable better health and dietary choices to directly improve maternal health.”
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