Clean water at schools proven to increase pupil learning and attendance and contributes to overall health
Metito, the leader and provider of choice for total intelligent water management solutions in the emerging markets, announces a partnership with Zulekha Healthcare Group to develop sustainable solutions to ensure safe, clean drinking water supply at several schools in India.
The partnership was announced at a signing ceremony at Zulekha Hospital Sharjah this week. The 'Safe Water Supply for Schools' initiative will see Metito's industry expertise and Zulekha Healthcare Group's commitment to community wellbeing bring tangible benefits to children by securing a reliable supply of clean water to four schools in the city of Nagpur.
Access to clean, safe drinking water is a basic human right but yet remains a challenge in India, as well as in other countries around the world. In India, water supply has improved significantly in recent years, with 88 per cent of the population, which is around 1.2 billion, having access to drinking water from improved sources in 2008, compared to 68 per cent in 1990, according to UNICEF1. Still, more efforts must be made to improve this figure and to ensure sustainable water supply for generations to come.
Metito and Zulekha Healthcare Group realise this need and strive to continue playing a role in making positive things happen. This partnership enables them to combine their resources, efforts and know how to provide needed safe drinking water for a section of the Indian community that are unable to do something about it themselves - school children - the future of any nation.
UNICEF studies have shown adequate, well-maintained water supply and sanitation facilities in schools encourage children to attend regularly and help them achieve their educational goals. Inadequate water supply and sanitation in schools are health hazards and affect attendance, retention and overall educational performance. Several major health concerns stemming from unsafe drinking water that affect school age children have been recorded to impact upon their learning abilities.
The initiative will see water tanks, water coolers, and UV disinfection units installed at four schools in Nagpur city, Maharashtra State, India. The project entails equipment and hardware procurement, arrangement of labour, training, overseeing and monitoring related civil and plumbing work, and commissioning.
Mutaz Ghandour, Metito CEO said: "Playing a role in developing sustainable communities is something we're very passionate about and it's fortunate this passion is complemented by the fact we work in an industry that strives on that notion."
He added: "It's Metito's mission to utilise its resources, knowledge and expertise to ensure a cleaner environment that starts with a basic human right; access to clean and safe water. Zulekha prides itself on ensuring the welfare of others, so partnering with them is a truly unique opportunity that we're confident will yield great results".
Zanubia Shams, CEO, Zulekha Healthcare Group commented: "We chose to drive this initiative with our partners because we believe good health nurtures better resources for tomorrow. Good health is the basic right of any human being and particularly for future generations. Better facilities, clean drinking water, and a healthy environment are investments we make to build a better world. We proudly announce our association with this noble venture starting in Nagpur, India and we hope to take this forward all across the country."
The four schools in Nagpur that will have the solutions installed are the Ravindranath Tagore Convent, Millat Urdu Upper Primary & High School, Public Urdu Upper Primary School, SHUMS Girls High School.
In 2011, Metito sponsored a Water Purification Plant in Shirwal village, near Pune, Maharashtra State, India. The plant provides safe drinking water for 30,000 people.
The Safe Water Supply for Schools programme is set to be completed by the 3rd quarter of 2014.
Issued on behalf of Metito by Grayling
For Information contact:
Andrew Kennedy
Tel: +971 4 390 1630
Mob: +971 50 965 9104
Email: andrew.kennedy@grayling.com
About Metito
Metito is the leader and provider of choice for total intelligent water management solutions in the emerging markets with operations covering three business areas: design and build, specialty chemicals, and utilities. With over fifty years of operational experience, the group provides customized, comprehensive and advanced solutions across the full spectrum of its industry, from clean to dirty water.
With a mission to sustain the world's water resources, Metito provides effective water management and treatment systems that can reconcile the ever growing water demand and the dwindling natural resources. Committed to a cleaner environment, Metito endeavours to utilise its world-class global knowhow to provide millions of people across the globe access to clean and safe water.
Metito is at the forefront of the water and waste water industry with a current global project portfolio in excess of US$ 1 billion and over 2500 employees across its worldwide operations.
metito.com
About ZulekhaThe Zulekha Healthcare Group found its roots in the year 1961 when its founder Dr. Zulekha Daud arrived in Sharjah. After three decades of dedicated service, Dr. Zulekha established Zulekha Hospital in Sharjah in the year 1992. From humble beginnings as a 30-bed hospital to a professionally managed multi-speciality facility offering modern medical solutions, the Zulekha Healthcare Group provides its services to thousands of citizens and expatriates in the UAE as well as patients from across the region. The Group has another multi-speciality hospital in Dubai, in addition to four medical centers and three pharmacies.
As the Group grows significantly, it remains dedicated to providing the best quality affordable healthcare services at affordable costs with both hospitals reaccredited by JCI and recipients of the prestigious DQA Award. Zulekha Healthcare Group can take pride in their most-modern facilities available today in addition to the multiple disciplinary specializations now being converted into super-specialisation departments. The Group is focused on continuous improvement in terms of infrastructure and patient care, yet meticulously adhered to its key focus on compassionate care that is conceived in their promise - "Your health matters".
© Press Release 2014
