John Keells supports CKD prevention in Horowpathana and Galenbindunuwewa

Saturday, 25 August 2018 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

John Keells Foundation supported the CKD Prevention Project of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) by funding two Reverse Osmosis Filtration systems in the Horowpathana and Galenbindunuwewa DS Divisions of the Anuradhapura District. This is part of a master plan of NWSDB to provide access to good quality water for drinking and cooking purposes in areas known to be at risk of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is reportedly prevalent in various parts of the country including the North Central, North Western, Uva, Eastern and Northern Provinces. Whilst CKD has grown to be a serious social concern causing hardship and trauma to the affected individuals and families, it has also created a severe burden on the government health system given that a large number of the affected population comprise persons with low income levels seeking free health services at government hospitals. Following a study conducted by World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health to determine the cause of CKD, NWSDB has proposed a systematic program towards providing good quality water to CKD affected areas via various means including Reverse Osmosis treatment plants to small clusters of villages.

The two Reverse Osmosis Filtration systems were commissioned on 19 July by Tharanga Senevirathna, the Chief Engineer, CKD Prevention Project (NC), NWSDB Anuradhapura and Nadija Tambiah, Head of CSR in the presence of representatives of NSWDB, John Keells Group and members of the respective communities.

This follows a similar initiative undertaken in collaboration with NWSDB in the Trincomalee District under which two Reverse Osmosis Filtration systems were donated to the communities of Morawewa North GN Division and Vilpanakulama in 2016.

‘Water and sanitation’ have been a key development priority in many community interventions undertaken by John Keells Foundation under its vision ‘Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow’. This initiative is aligned to John Keells Foundation’s focus area of health, aimed at enhancing the health and productivity of disadvantaged or vulnerable communities.