Vijay Singh
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], September 20: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has partnered with the District Health Department, Government of Odisha, under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, to strengthen screening and early detection of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Thalassemia in Kalahandi district. Launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in July 2023, the mission aims to eliminate the disease as a public health concern by 2047 through early screening, genetic counselling, and treatment.
As part of this initiative, Vedanta Aluminium has deployed its Mobile Health Units (MHUs) to conduct screening drives across Nakrundi, Talampadar, and Gunpur Gram Panchayats in Rampur block, among the most SCD-prone regions of Kalahandi. Individuals aged 0–40 years are screened using diagnostic kits provided by the District Health Department.
Vedanta Aluminium has been extending quality healthcare through its flagship MHU services, having conducted 1,000+ free health camps in the past two years in Rayagada and Kalahandi districts. Each MHU is fully equipped with diagnostic kits, essential medicines, and staffed by qualified doctors, nurses, and technicians. The units provide immediate medical care while also driving awareness of preventive healthcare in underserved regions.
The Odisha Government has intensified its statewide drive to detect and manage SCD and Thalassemia, focusing on high-risk tribal belts. Patients are receiving free medicines, blood transfusions, transportation support, and bone marrow transplant assistance through government hospitals. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of the Government of Odisha and Vedanta Aluminium to provide equitable, inclusive, and accessible healthcare to vulnerable populations, advancing the vision of an anaemia-free India.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we are deeply committed to the well-being of communities around our operations. Through this partnership, we aim to extend vital healthcare screening services to the remotest parts in these regions, while supporting the national mission to eliminate these diseases.”
Dr Niharendra Pand, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Kalahandi, stated, “Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia continue to pose serious public health challenges, especially in the rural communities. With the support of Vedanta’s mobile health units, we are now able to reach remote villages, enabling early detection and timely medical care, which is critical to saving lives and improving health outcomes in these regions.”
Vedanta Aluminium remains committed to driving transformation in Odisha through strategic initiatives spanning education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, rural infrastructure, and grassroots sports and culture. Collaborating closely with local authorities and community stakeholders, the company ensures its interventions lead to tangible socio-economic progress.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium, i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 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.
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