Bhubaneswar, Odisha; 8th July 2025: In many parts of rural Odisha, people often hesitate to visit doctors due to distance, cost, or lack of trust. Vedanta Aluminium’s Mobile Health Unit (MHU) program is helping change this by building strong relationships between healthcare teams and villagers in 52 remote villages across Rayagada, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda districts.
Over the last two years, more than 2,000 free health camps have been held, bringing basic medical services directly to over 35,000 people. But more importantly, the regular visits and friendly support from the MHU teams have created a sense of trust and comfort in these communities.
Each MHU is staffed with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, and lab technician who not only provide check-ups and medicines but also take time to talk with residents, listen to their concerns, and explain health issues in simple ways. Over time, villagers have started seeing them not just as medical workers, but as dependable members of the community.
In places like Hemgir in Sundargarh and Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda, villagers now feel more confident in seeking medical advice. Common illnesses like joint pain, skin infections, and high blood pressure are being treated early because people no longer wait until problems get worse.
Nitesh Jha, a medical officer in Thuamul Rampur, said, “People used to avoid check-ups. Now they look forward to our visits. We’ve built real connections.”
By showing up regularly and offering care with empathy, Vedanta Aluminium’s initiative is not just improving health—it is building trust. These relationships are helping people feel safer, more informed, and more willing to take charge of their health, creating lasting change in Odisha’s rural communities.
