UAIL’s ‘Nirogsala’ delivers lifesaving healthcare to remote Odisha villages

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 28, 2025

Utkal Alumina International Ltd. (UAIL), a subsidiary of Hindalco under the Aditya Birla Group, is making a remarkable impact through its flagship CSR initiative ‘Nirogsala’. Designed to provide both preventive and curative healthcare, the project ensures accessible medical services in the remote villages of Rayagada district, Odisha.

Operating in far-flung areas like Paikakupakhal, Andirakanch, and Gopinathpur in Kashipur block, ‘Nirogsala’ has already benefited nearly 20,000 villagers. Health dispensaries under this project bring structured, free medical care directly to rural doorsteps.

“Nirogsala was born out of a real and pressing need,” said Rabi Mishra, Unit Head at UAIL. “In these inaccessible regions, even minor medical emergencies can become life-threatening due to the lack of timely aid. Our goal is to make healthcare a right, not a privilege,” he added.

Each ‘Nirogsala’ center is equipped with OPD services, diagnostic facilities, ambulance support, and essential medical infrastructure. With full-time pharmacists, health assistants, and MBBS doctors rotating every three days, each unit treats 700–800 patients per month on average.

Local leaders and beneficiaries have lauded the initiative. Mastram Majhi, Sarpanch of Maikanch Gram Panchayat, said, “Residents of nearby villages, many of whom are economically disadvantaged, now receive free treatment and life-saving medicines. UAIL has given us hope and dignity.”

Komal Lochan Jhodia, a villager from Andirakanch, shared his experience: “I once injured my palm badly while using an axe. The Nirogsala team treated me immediately and gave me all medicines free of cost. Thanks to their care, I fully recovered in days and returned to work.”

Monitored monthly by UAIL’s CSR team, Nirogsala functions independently as a cornerstone of UAIL’s healthcare outreach.

Across Odisha, the Aditya Birla Group’s CSR initiatives reach over 5 lakh people in 128 villages, positively impacting more than 2 lakh lives. These efforts are led under the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, chaired by Rajashree Birla. Rooted in the vision of building sustainable, inclusive communities, the Group’s CSR aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, aiming to eradicate poverty and hunger while improving human development outcomes.