Jharsuguda;11th September 2024:Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently conducted a comprehensive filaria awareness campaign, which reached out to over 90,000 residents across 85 villages in Jharsuguda district.Key activities undertaken as part of the campaign included the deployment of mobile health units, emergency response preparedness training, and the distribution of informative pamphlets on prevention and treatment. These efforts were undertaken in close collaboration with the district administration, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers.
Also known as Lymphatic Filariasis, filaria is a severe tropical disease caused by parasitic worms transmitted through mosquito bites, leading to painful and disfiguring swelling of limbs and other body parts. With cases spiking during the monsoon season, it poses a significant public health challenge, especially in remote areas where access to quality healthcare islimited.
In response, Vedanta conceptualised and deployed the comprehensive awareness drive, which was launched in the presence ofMr. Prabir Kumar Naik, Chief Development Officer cum Zila Parishad, Jharsuguda,Mr. Jaikrushna Naik, Chief District Medical & Public Health Officer, Jharsuguda, Mr. Bulunath Sahu, District Program Manager, National Health Mission, Dr.Radha Raman Bhirtia, Additional District Health Officer, Vector-borne Diseases, Jharsuguda. The drive was conducted over a span of 10 days.
Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer – Aluminium Business, said, “Our commitment to enhancing the quality of life in our communities lies at the heart of our social impact initiatives. The filaria awareness campaign is a powerful testament to the collaborative spirit that fuels our efforts. We are proud to contribute to a significant public health milestone in Jharsuguda. The success of this campaign marks an important step toward better health outcomes in the region and reaffirms Vedanta Aluminium’s ongoing dedication to making a lasting, positive impact on the well-being of Jharsuguda.”
Dr.JaikrushnaNaik, Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Jharsugudaadded, “The partnership with Vedanta Aluminium has been instrumental in the success of this campaign. Their support and resources have enabled us to reach a wide audience effectively, providing critical information and resources to combat filaria. This collaborative effort exemplifies how public and private sectors can work together for the greater good of the community.”
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 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.
