Vedanta Aluminium and BALCO Medical Centre Boost Cancer Education around National Cancer Awareness Day
7th November 2024
- Health rallies, expert talks, and screening initiatives organized across Odisha and Chhattisgarh
New Delhi, November 7, 2024: In observance of National Cancer Awareness Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium along with BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), Chhattisgarh, organized a series of awareness programs and health initiatives aimed at guiding the public around cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment options. The activities were centred around this year’s theme, “Jaldi Pehchaan, Bacha Sakta Hai Aapki Jaan”.
To encourage proactive health practices, Vedanta Aluminium conducted a health awareness rally and public screening camps in remote areas of Odisha, along with discounted health checkups, all in association with BMC, Chhattisgarh – one of India’s leading cancer care hospitals. In addition, expert talks were conducted to empower individuals with knowledge on lifestyle changes and risk factors associated with cancer.
In India, one in nine people are likely to develop cancer, with lung and breast cancers being the most common. National Cancer Awareness Day, observed on November 7, highlights the importance of early detection, prevention, and lifestyle adjustments to help combat this growing public health issue.
- In Bhawanipatna, Odisha a cancer awareness rally was organized to educate the community, drawing more than150 participants from local nursing colleges. To further support community involvement, a combined cancer and a sickle cell screening camp was held at the District Hospital, reaching out to more than 100 individuals. The event was attended by Dr. Sucheta Pani, Chief District Medical Officer; Mr. Bhawanishankar Sahu, District Program Manager of the National Health Mission; and Dr. Neelesh Jain, Senior Consultant and Head of Blood Transfusion Medicine & Immunohematology, BMC.
- In Lanjigarh, Odisha, a weeklong cancer awareness campaign is being conducted across 30 villages. The campaign aims to educate communities on the early signs and symptoms of cancer, highlight common risk factors, and emphasize the importance of regular screenings. As part of this initiative, a bike rally featuring 250 participants, including employees and business partners, will cover 15 villages, adding visibility and engagement to the cause. Additionally, on November 9th, a free cancer screening camp, in collaboration with BMC, will provide mobile screening services for breast, oral, and cervical cancers, accessible to community members, business partners, and employees alike.
- Supplementing these efforts, Vedanta hosted an expert discussion led by Dr. Shravan Nadkarni, Surgical Oncologist at Vedanta’s BMC, one of India’s foremost cancer hospitals. The discussion was aimed at educating all Vedanta employees on cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment options, offering them expert guidance on how to reduce risks and take charge of their health. Dr. Nadkarni’s insights provided valuable knowledge to help attendees make more informed decisions about their well-being.
Commenting on the significance of this day, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, Vedanta Aluminium said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we want to inspire and empower our communities to lead stronger, healthier lives. Through initiatives like these, we want to try to do away with any stigma associated with cancer, and give people access to better healthcare facilities. Not only are we targeting enhanced community awareness, but we are also fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to seek early detection, treatment, and care.”
Dr. Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director, BALCO Medical Centre added, “National Cancer Awareness Day is a vital reminder of the need to amplify cancer awareness and encourage proactive health choices. At BALCO Medical Centre, our mission is to inspire communities to embrace regular screenings, healthier lifestyles, and timely medical intervention to combat cancer effectively.”
Last month, Vedanta’s BMC offered free digital mammography screenings for breast cancer to women, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since its inception in 2018, Vedanta Aluminium’s state-of-the-art cancer treatment centre has established itself as a national leader in India’s oncological care landscape. BMC’s Mobile Cancer Detection Van organised health screening camps for women over the age of 45 in neighbouring villages, promoting education on self-breast examination, and the importance of routine check-ups.
Vedanta Aluminium provides a wide range of healthcare services to underserved communities in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, enhancing local healthcare infrastructure. These initiatives include:
- Mobile Health Units: These offer weekly primary care in remote areas, alongside 24/7 ambulance services.
- Vedanta Hospital, Lanjigarh: This is a 20-bed multi-specialty hospital offering free healthcare to surrounding communities.
- Nand Ghars: Modern Anganwadis focusing on women and child health, nutrition, and development.
- Vedanta Diagnostic Centres: These centres in Jharsuguda and Laikera, offer affordable radiology and pathology services.
- BALCO Hospital: A 120-bed facility with advanced medical services, serving over 1.8 lakh people annually.
- BALCO Medical Centre: A 170-bed oncology centre in Naya Raipur, providing comprehensive cancer care.
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. 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.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About Vedanta Aluminium Business:
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.
For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com
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