The Business Bytes
Jharsuguda, August 20, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has successfully concluded a comprehensive weeklong health awareness campaign focused on combating malaria, dengue, and diarrhoea (MDD) in Jharsuguda district. The initiative, which engaged over 3,500 individuals across 28 villages and two special schools, underscores Vedanta Aluminium’s ongoing commitment to improving community health in remote regions.
In partnership with the District Health Administration, Vedanta Aluminium’s campaign aimed to educate local communities on the causes, prevention, and management of MDD. The campaign utilized Mobile Health Units (MHUs) to conduct in-depth discussions on the impact of these diseases, stressing the importance of early detection and effective prevention strategies. Key participants included Birat Raja Pradhan, Consultant for Vector-Borne Diseases at the Control Department of the District Health Administration, and Dr. Jayanarayan Pujari from Vedanta’s Mobile Health Units.
Throughout the week, the campaign highlighted sustainable health practices and emergency preparedness, providing residents with essential tools and knowledge to combat these diseases. Educational leaflets were distributed, emphasizing practical preventive measures such as using insecticide-treated mosquito nets, applying insect repellents, and maintaining clean environments to reduce disease vectors.
Sunil Gupta, COO of Vedanta Aluminium, expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign’s impact: “At Vedanta Aluminium, we are dedicated to the health and well-being of our communities. Our health awareness campaigns are designed not only to raise awareness but also to encourage sustainable practices that combat seasonal diseases. We aim to enhance the quality of life and create lasting social benefits in the regions we serve.”
Birat Raja Pradhan added, “The collaborative effort with Vedanta Aluminium has been crucial in reaching out to the community and providing them with vital information and resources. By empowering individuals with knowledge, we are making significant progress in reducing the risks associated with vector-borne diseases in this area.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s social initiatives extend beyond health, impacting various sectors such as education, livelihood, skill development, grassroots sports, and cultural enrichment. The company’s programs benefit over 300,000 people annually across nearly 80 villages in Jharsuguda and nearby areas. These initiatives include supporting around 5,000 women through over 350 self-help groups, providing healthcare services to about 50,000 people each year, and offering educational support to more than 13,000 students. Additionally, Vedanta has contributed to environmental sustainability by planting nearly 150,000 trees in partnership with local communities.
As India’s largest aluminium producer, Vedanta Aluminium manufactured 2.37 million tonnes of aluminium in FY24, representing more than half of the country’s aluminium production. The company is recognized for its commitment to sustainability, ranking first in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 for the aluminium industry. With state-of-the-art smelters, alumina refineries, and power plants, Vedanta Aluminium continues to lead in advancing the applications of aluminium for a greener future.
