THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 21, 2026

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, is strengthening rural healthcare delivery in Odisha through its Mobile Health Unit (MHU) initiative, aimed at enhancing access to primary healthcare in underserved regions. In FY26, the company delivered free healthcare services to over 65,000 patients across 126 villages, including 35 villages in Rayagada, 31 villages in Sijimali, and 60 villages in Kalahandi.

Mobile Health Units (MHUs) are specially designed vehicles that deliver essential healthcare services directly to communities, particularly in remote, rural, and underserved areas where access to hospitals and clinics remains limited. Functioning as ‘clinics on wheels’, these units are fully equipped with essential medical tools and staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, helping bridge critical healthcare accessibility gaps by bringing medical services directly to the doorsteps of communities.

The MHUs provide a wide range of primary healthcare services, including health check-ups, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, maternal and child healthcare support, basic diagnostics, and distribution of free medicines. In addition, the medical teams regularly conduct awareness sessions on preventive healthcare, hygiene, nutrition, seasonal diseases, and early diagnosis to encourage healthier and more informed communities.

The initiative has received appreciation from healthcare workers and community members alike for significantly improving access to reliable medical care in remote locations.

Basanti Bhag, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker, said, “Vedanta’s Mobile Health Units have played a crucial role in improving access to essential healthcare services in the region. The initiative has brought quality healthcare closer to our communities while also increasing awareness about preventive healthcare practices among villagers.”

Speaking about the impact of the initiative, Sarkar Majhi, a resident of Upar Ambapadar village in Kalahandi district, said, “I am grateful to Vedanta Aluminium for its development efforts, as the Mobile Health Unit has been a great support for our village, especially for elderly people and children who otherwise had to travel long distances to access medical services.”

Access to healthcare continues to remain a major challenge in many remote regions of Odisha, where distance, inadequate infrastructure, and shortage of healthcare professionals often hinder timely treatment. By delivering doorstep healthcare services, the MHU initiative eliminates the need for villagers to travel long distances for basic medical care.

Demonstrating its continued commitment to community healthcare, the company has also organised 11 multi-specialty health camps benefiting 1,949 patients across 51 villages. Furthermore, 40 cataract surgeries have been facilitated for elderly residents, restoring vision and improving quality of life for vulnerable beneficiaries in the Sijimali region. Across Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium’s healthcare initiatives, including MHU services, have positively impacted more than one lakh people.

These extensive healthcare interventions reflect Vedanta Aluminium’s broader commitment to sustainable development and community welfare in Odisha. By working closely with local authorities, healthcare institutions, and community stakeholders, the company continues to drive impactful initiatives in healthcare, education, livelihood development, women’s empowerment, and rural infrastructure, contributing significantly to the socio-economic progress of the region.