Ripple Effect: Baxter Clean Water Partnership to Help Indian Villages
Clean, safe drinking water is fundamental to life, but in parts of India and throughout the world, this crucial resource is being stretched to the breaking point.
India is experiencing historic water shortages, with an estimated 600 million people in the country experiencing “high to extreme water stress."1 In addition, approximately 75 percent of households in India do not have access to drinking water in the home,1 and must secure a safe external source of drinking water.
“Amongst the country’s biggest concerns are water shortages and inadequate access to clean drinking water, which are also major causes for health-related issues,” said Amish Vyas, managing director of Baxter Pharmaceuticals India Private Limited (BPIPL). “To deliver on our commitment to support healthy communities, the initial focus of our sustainability efforts will be to make drinking water easily available to villages near Baxter’s manufacturing site in Ahmedabad.” Ahmedabad is India's fifth largest city and home to almost 1,500 Baxter employees.
Baxter is investing approximately $420,000 USD in the program to enable testing of current water sources to check for purity levels, install a community-level water purification system, organize awareness activities to educate on effects of consuming contaminated water, and help clean local bodies and help prevent waterlogging during monsoons, which can cause flooding.
To deliver on our commitment to support healthy communities, the initial focus of our sustainability efforts will be to make drinking water easily available to villages near Baxter’s manufacturing site in Ahmedabad.
Amish Vyas, Managing Director of Baxter Pharmaceuticals India Private Limited (BPIPL)
The program is in partnership with advisory firm KPMG as our strategic partner, and with the Centre for Environment Education (CEE) as our implementation partner. CEE is a Centre of Excellence supported by the India Ministry of Environment and Forests, and—as part of its extensive mandate—has been a leading authority in India on water supply systems for more than 30 years.
“The way we live out our mission—to save and sustain lives—extends beyond the impact of our medical products. It’s about our presence and our actions including being an advocate for the communities in which we operate,” said Squire Servance, senior counsel, Baxter, who helped coordinate the water intervention program. “This program aligns with Baxter’s sustainability priorities and enables us to support our communities in an enduring way.”
Baxter announced the program launch at a primary school and three pre-primary schools located in a nearby village, where Baxter leaders shared details on Baxter and the program, and a representative from CEE conducted an awareness activity with students about the importance of water conservation, sanitation and hygiene.
“This is a proud moment for Baxter in Ahmedabad,” added Amish Vyas. “But it is only the first step in our journey of making a positive, sustainable impact for people in need.”
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