Vedanta Lanjigarh builds awareness on cancer prevention and mitigation in rural Odisha

Three-day free cancer screening camp conducted across Lanjigarh and Bhawanipatna

By Dr Gourang Charan Rout

Lanjigarh, Nov.22 : Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina,recently organised a three-day cancer screening drive in Lanjigarh to generatewider awareness about cancer detection and treatment. The drive was launched on the occasion of National Cancer Awareness Day (November 7). It was undertaken in association with the BALCO Medical Centre (BMC) – one of India’s foremost cancer hospitals, known for providing world-class cancer care at an affordable cost.

As part of the camp, a mobile cancer screening van was deployed to facilitate several important tests including mammography, Pap Smear Test (PEP) andFine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) test. Other tests screening for uterine, cervix and oral cancer were also a part of the camp. Additionally, those in need of further tests were referred to BMC for treatment.

The drivewas flagged off by Mr. Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO –Alumina Business, Vedanta Ltd.along with Dr Prabhakar Gupta, Radiation Oncologist from BALCO Medical Centre, at the Vedanta Hospital in Lanjigarh, one of the foremost multi-speciality hospitals in the region. The camp was also graced by prominent community stakeholders likeMr. Sanjeev Kumar Nayak,Vice Chairman, Lanjigarh Block, Mr. Parikhita Naik, Zila Parishad member, Lanjigarh Block, and Ms. Saraswati Munda, Sarpanch of Lanjigarh Panchayat. Over 200 people from the local community availed of the free healthcare servicesduring the three-day screening drive.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO–Alumina Business,Vedanta Ltd.– said, “The holistic development of our neighbouring communities is a vital aspect of our growth aspirations. This is reflected in our deep developmental initiatives spanning education, healthcare, livelihood, skill development, infrastructure, sports and culture, touching over 1,25,000 lives across 67 villages in Lanjigarh and beyond. Through this screening drive, we aim to further bolster the healthcare ecosystem through enhanced community awareness”.

Dr Ranjan Mitra, Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Kalahandi added,“Certain cancers are preventable, and many are curable with effective treatment at an early stage. Screening helps to detect initial signs of cancer or pre-cancerous conditions before any prominent symptoms appear. We appreciate and thank Vedanta Aluminium for organizing these screening camps, especially among vulnerable community members”.

The BALCO Medical Centre is a leader in India’s oncology space with comprehensive facilities for surgical, radiation, haematological, BMT and palliative care. A state-of-the-art, 170-bed ultra-modern, multi-modality diagnostic and therapeutic facility, it is based in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Since inception, BMC has served the healthcare needs of thousands of patients, addressing existing gaps in cancer treatment, awareness, infrastructure and expertise.

Vedanta Lanjigarh has also been supporting the local communities throughseveral additionalhealthcare initiatives,including: 

• Vedanta Hospital: This hospital is astate-of-the-art medical facility, well equipped with experienced doctors, physiotherapists and visiting specialists, and 24X7 ambulance service for referrals. Over 60,000 people visit the Vedanta Hospital every year.
• Maa Santoshi Jankalyan Hospital:Supported by Vedanta Lanjigarh, it caters to the needs of 9 Gram Panchayats within the Bankakundru region. This area is situated in the remote fringes of Lanjigarh Block, making the hospital’s role all the more crucial.

• MHU (Mobile Health Unit): A customized vehicle that brings free primary healthcare services to people in under-served areas. Since its inception in 2006, it has delivered healthcare services to over 23000 people across 61 villages.

• Cataract Camps: For more than a decade, Vedanta Lanjigarh has been organizing annual cataract campsin collaboration with the renowned eye hospital Netra Chikitsalaya Lepra Society, Sonepur.In FY23 alone, over 1100 people have benefitted from the project.

• Pehli Udaan:This initiative aimsto promote better menstrual health and hygiene practices among rural women by helping them break cultural stigmas. It focuses on enhancing community access to quality menstrual hygiene products, and has benefitted over 3000 women and adolescent girls in FY24.

• Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan – Launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India,the program aims to provide assured, comprehensive, and quality antenatal care, free of cost, universally to all pregnant women. Vedanta Hospital in Lanjigarh organizes a PMSMA (Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan) Program on the 9^th of every month.