Sundargarh (Odisha), March 26, 2025: Reaffirming its commitment to public health and supporting the national mission to eliminate tuberculosis (TB), Vedanta Aluminium observed World Tuberculosis Day under the global theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver” by flagging off a TB awareness van, named “Nikshaya Mitra Vahan,” from the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Bileimunda in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Sundargarh district. The initiative aims to reach more than 4,500 rural residents, spreading awareness and encouraging timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease across the region.
As part of the campaign, Vedanta Aluminium has pledged to provide year-long nutritional kit support to 63 TB patients in Sundargarh district. These nutritional supplements are designed to help patients maintain strength and improve recovery outcomes during treatment. The company’s proactive approach reflects its broader vision of promoting holistic community health and supporting India’s goal of achieving a TB Mukt Bharat (TB-free India) by 2025.
The awareness drive extensively covered villages across Hemgir block, including areas surrounding Jamkani and Ghogharpalli mines, where Vedanta Aluminium operates. During the campaign, Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials were distributed to villagers, serving as handy guides on TB prevention, symptoms, and treatment options. The company’s Mobile Health Units (MHUs) also organized sessions to educate people about the importance of early detection, regular medication adherence, nutritional care, and government healthcare schemes available for TB patients.
Appreciating the initiative, Dr. Abhilash Sahu, Medical Officer of the Bileimunda PHC, said, “Vedanta Aluminium’s TB awareness drive is a vital intervention that enhances early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in rural areas. By spreading awareness and providing nutritional assistance, this programme strengthens ongoing public health efforts and plays a significant role in eliminating TB from Sundargarh district.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. David Stone, CEO – Coal Mines, Vedanta Limited, emphasized the company’s long-term commitment to community welfare, stating, “Through this week-long programme, we aim to maximize awareness and dispel the stigma surrounding tuberculosis. Community health is a core pillar of our social responsibility, and through initiatives like the Nikshaya Mitra Vahan, we are extending healthcare access directly to people’s doorsteps. Our mobile units and health camps are ensuring that rural communities lead healthier, more empowered lives.”
Notably, the Nikshaya Mitra programme is part of the Government of India’s national campaign to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call for a TB Mukt Bharat. Vedanta Aluminium’s contribution to this mission underscores its alignment with national health priorities and its continuous efforts to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in remote regions of Odisha.
Through such sustained interventions, Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive positive change in public health, focusing on awareness, prevention, and care—ensuring that even the most remote communities are not left behind in India’s fight against TB.
