COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s new health minister said a mystery kidney disease that has ravaged farmers in part of the country for two decades will be given top priority under the newly elected government.

An estimated 70,000 to 400,000 people have been sickened in the North Central province’s rice basket, and despite years of research, the cause of the chronic disease has not been determined. Thousands of patients require regular dialysis treatments but Sri Lanka, with fewer than 200 machines available, cannot meet the need.

“I will give priority to enhance the dialysis facilities for the kidney patients, and I will be getting 100 million rupees (about $760,000) for this purpose,” Health Minister Rajitha Senarathna said Monday, adding that the money will come from private donations.

He said one section of the main regional Anuradhapura Hospital will be set up for kidney treatment. The government also plans to launch another program to provide free lunches and vitamins for students in the affected area.