THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MAY 22, 2026

In a major step towards strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure in Odisha’s remote tribal belt, Vedanta Aluminium has transformed medical service delivery at the Sunger Primary Health Centre (PHC) under the CSR initiative of its Sijimali Bauxite Mines by deploying skilled healthcare professionals and critical medical support systems, significantly enhancing access to quality healthcare for nearly 20,000 people across the region’s hilly and underserved areas.

Undertaken in collaboration with the District Health Administration, Rayagada, the initiative addresses long-standing healthcare manpower shortages at the Sunger PHC, which serves nearly 20,000 people across the hilly and tribal catchment area in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms. Vedanta Aluminium has facilitated deployment across all 11 staff positions at the PHC, including an MBBS doctor, AYUSH doctor, pharmacist, and nursing staff, along with ambulance support to strengthen emergency response services. During the last health camp conducted in the area, community members had specifically demanded the appointment of a permanent doctor and nursing staff, and this intervention directly fulfils that critical requirement.

Additionally, a mortuary van has also been deployed in the area for the benefit of the local community, further strengthening healthcare and emergency support infrastructure in the remote region.

The enhanced healthcare services were formally inaugurated on Friday, marking a major step towards improving access to timely, reliable, and quality healthcare for communities residing in the Sijimali region. The strengthened medical support system is expected to significantly reduce the need for villagers to travel long distances for basic treatment and emergency medical care, ensuring quicker and more efficient healthcare access for pregnant women, children, elderly residents, and critically ill patients from surrounding remote villages.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Govinda Chandra Naik, husband of Kuni Kumari Naik, ex-Vice Chairman, Kashipur Block; Sunil Kumar Rai, Kashipur Block Program Manager (National Health Mission); Damayanti Sahoo, ANM; alongside Gaurav Mani Naik, Headmaster, Kantamal; Suryanarayan Singh, Headmaster, Dumerpadar School; local health officials, Samiti Members, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA Workers, SHG members, and community representatives. The event witnessed participation from nearly 200 attendees, reflecting strong community support and appreciation for the initiative.

Speaking on the occasion, Suryanarayan Singh said, “The Sunger PHC catchment area had been facing shortages in healthcare manpower, impacting access to medical services for local communities. Vedanta Aluminium’s intervention is expected to bridge these critical gaps by strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure, enabling faster medical response, and ensuring better continuity of care for residents across surrounding villages.”

Vedanta Aluminium has been undertaking several impactful healthcare interventions across Odisha to improve access to quality medical services in remote and underserved regions. Through mobile health units, health awareness campaigns, maternal and child healthcare programmes, specialist health camps, nutrition initiatives, and infrastructure support to government healthcare institutions, the company continues to strengthen public healthcare systems in districts such as Rayagada, Kalahandi, and Jharsuguda. Vedanta Aluminium also extends healthcare support to communities in Koraput district through interventions linked to its Kodingamali mines.

The company’s Mobile Health Unit programme forms an integral part of this broader outreach initiative by delivering essential healthcare services directly to people’s doorsteps, including basic consultations, screening, primary treatment, referral support, and health awareness services for remote villages with limited access to fixed medical facilities. Through these sustained healthcare initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium has positively impacted thousands of community members by enabling timely diagnosis, preventive care, emergency medical support, and improved healthcare accessibility closer to their homes.