The Business Bytes
NEW DELHI, APRIL 09, 2024 (TBB BUREAU): On the occasion of World Health Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium producer, has unveiled its significant contributions towards community health interventions, positively impacting approximately 4 lakh people across Odisha and Chhattisgarh in the fiscal year 2024. Aligning closely with this year’s theme, “My health, my right”, Vedanta Aluminium is steadfast in its commitment to empowering individuals with access to quality healthcare services, education, and information, particularly in underserved and remote regions.
Throughout its operational hubs, in Jharsuguda, Odisha, home to the company’s mega aluminium plant; at its operations in Lanjigarh, home to its world-class alumina refinery; at BALCO, India’s iconic aluminium producer and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium located in Korba, Chhattisgarh; and at Vizag General Cargo Berth (VGCB) port operations, Vedanta Aluminium has spearheaded a range of impactful initiatives aimed at fostering healthier communities.
In Jharsuguda, the company orchestrated extensive outreach efforts through mobile healthcare units and disseminated informative materials across nearly 30 villages, advocating for healthier lifestyle choices. Notably, a pilot breast cancer screening camp was conducted at the Vedanta Aluminium supported Jharsuguda Diagnostic Centre, marking a significant step towards early detection and intervention.
Meanwhile, in Lanjigarh, a multi-speciality mega health camp provided free healthcare services, including medical consultations, screening tests, medications, and vaccinations, benefitting over 500 individuals. Additionally, a comprehensive week-long awareness drive on health and hygiene practices reached out to approximately 1,000 residents, alongside a blood donation camp.
In Korba, Chhattisgarh, Vedanta Aluminium initiated an assistive device distribution drive aimed at fostering inclusivity and support for the elderly and specially-abled individuals. The distribution of walking aids and specialty healthcare services, including dental, dermatological, orthopedic, and gynecological consultations, benefitted around 500 community members, enhancing their quality of life.
At the VGCB port operations, a two-day eye check-up camp was conducted, with over 400 individuals undergoing comprehensive eye examinations. Subsequently, free spectacles were distributed to address vision impairments, furthering Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of the communities it serves.
Moreover, the company provided essential support to marginalized communities by supplying battery-operated wheelchairs, tricycles, and other mobility aids, empowering individuals with greater mobility and independence.
Vedanta Aluminium is committed to improving healthcare access for underserved communities in Odisha and Chhattisgarh by offering a comprehensive range of basic and specialized services within and around its operational sites. These initiatives aim to complement the existing healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Recognizing the challenges faced by communities living in remote or inaccessible areas, Vedanta Aluminium operates Mobile Health Units that deliver primary healthcare services directly to these communities throughout the year. These units follow a predetermined schedule and also provide round-the-clock ambulance services for seamless referrals.
Established by Vedanta Limited Lanjigarh in 2010, the 20-bedded Multi-Speciality Vedanta Hospital at Lanjigarh, Kalahandi, is equipped with a proficient medical team offering preventive and curative healthcare services free of cost to the neighboring communities, with a focus on the underprivileged.
Through Nand Ghars, modern anganwadis focusing on women and child development, Vedanta Aluminium provides quality healthcare and nutrition support to small children, pregnant women, and new mothers.
Two advanced diagnostic centers in Jharsuguda and Laikera offer a comprehensive range of Radiology and Pathology services, including MRI and CT scanning facilities, at nominal charges, in alignment with CGHS rates, contributing to improved healthcare delivery and diagnosis.
Project Arogya, the comprehensive health initiative focuses on providing high-quality primary healthcare services, including preventive and curative measures, through rural health posts. Emphasizing maternal and child health, the project also conducts awareness campaigns on HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), and substance de-addiction.
In Chhattisgarh, the Nayi Kiran project raises awareness about menstrual health and hygiene, supports local manufacturing of sanitary products, and empowers champions of menstrual health. To date, the project has sensitized over 57,000 community members about menstruation.
With 120 beds and a team of specialists, BALCO Hospital in Chhattisgarh offers state-of-the-art facilities including a Modular OT, CT scan room, X-ray room, and emergency and critical care unit, catering to the healthcare needs of the community. The hospital, certified with ISO 9001-2015, receives over 1.8 lakh people annually from the communities.
As the flagship initiative of Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF), BALCO Medical Centre (BMC) is a 170-bed tertiary care Oncology facility in Naya Raipur. It offers comprehensive medical, surgical, radiation, haematological, BMT, and palliative care services, emerging as a national leader in India’s oncology space.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
