Sindh govt takes control of 40 water filtration plants from Indus Hospital

By Mukhtar Alam 

KARACHI: Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHNN) operating through philanthropic efforts, and also partnering various projects with the Sindh government, on September 9 handed control of as many as 40 water filtration plants to the government’s health department to ensure sustained operation.

At a relevant ceremony held at Government Hospital Shah Faisal, Sindh Health Minister Dr Azara Fazal Pechuho held that the new installation of said filter plants, 80% of which are based on solar energy, was a crucial development in addressing waterborne diseases issue. 

"This initiative underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing humanitarian crises and highlights the commitment of all stakeholders towards improving public health and infrastructure resilience," Dr Azra mentioned in her brief ceremony address.

Dr Mah Talat, the executive director of the Community Health Directorate at IHHN, informed the attendees that following the devastating floods in 2022, the filter plants were installed by Indus Hospital management at priority locations identified by the Sindh government to combat a subsequent surge in waterborne diseases.

There had been a widespread destruction of drinking water resources, and a technical assessment by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) guided the execution of the plants, while Unicef provided the technical assistance towards rigorous quality standard, said a press release.

Dr Zafar Zaidi, CEO of IHHN, highlighted the strategic placement of filtration plants across secondary-level health facilities in flood-affected districts, sharing the transferred-to-government plants utilise both reverse osmosis and ultra-filtration technologies, with a capacity of producing up to 50,000 gallons of clean water per day.

The filter plants following a successful operational testing phase, with smooth functioning for the past six months, have formally been handed over by IHHN to the Sindh Government to ensure a sustainable access to clean drinking water in the flood affected region, according to authorities.

Dr Abdul Bari Khan, President of IHHN, presented a commemorative shield to health minister on the occasion.

Replying to a question, President Khan of Indus Hospital told this reporter that the transferred filtration plants will stay where they at present are installed.

Meanwhile, an official from the provincial health department said the operations of these water filtration plants have been transferred to the Department of Health, as they fall under its jurisdiction, moreover, site of all these facilities were identified and approved by the government.

To a question, the official said the plants are listed as per the health facilities provided by the Sindh Health Department. “All facilities are fully functional and have been handed over to the medical superintendent of the respective health facility or hospital. Their capacities range from 10,000 to 50,000 gallons per day (GPD). On average, each plant serves approximately 800 to 1,000 beneficiaries daily.”