Indus Valley Times

By A.K. Sahoo

Bhubaneswar, April 7: Aditya Birla Group’s Utkal Alumina International Ltd (UAIL) is immensely engaged in several projects that make a qualitative difference to the lives of the underprivileged.

One of its major intervention areas is in the domain of healthcare. It has launched a major health initiative titled ‘Nirogshala’ alongside, its Utkal Hospital, Nuapada Health Centres, and Mines OPDs (Outpatient Departments).

Through its ‘Nirogshalas’ which in essence are the dispensaries at the village level, they serve people. Currently they are set up in four villages. These are at Rayagada and Kalahandi districts in Odisha, namely, Andirakanch, P Kupakhal, Podapadi and Gopinathpur.

Says Mazhar Beig, Unit Head & President, Utkal Alumina & Aditya Alumina “UAIL addresses the pressing need for improving healthcare quality in this tribal hinterland, exploring the challenges faced and potential solutions.‘Nirogshalas’play a vital role in the hinterland of Odisha. These dispensaries provide affordable, and comprehensive primary healthcare. This initiative contributes significantly to improving health outcomes.”

Each dispensary is equipped with certified medical staff, six pharmacists and four attendants. Free medicines along with consultation, health screening and emergency care are some of the key services accorded under the ‘Nirogshala’ umbrella, adds Mr Beig.

While applauding the efforts of Utkal Alumina, Mr Dhansingh Majhi, Sarpanch, Gopinathpur, opines, “The establishment of ‘Nirogshala’ is nothing short of a blessing for our community. It has provided us with access to essential healthcare services that were earlier out of reach. The presence of trained healthcare professionals, along with the availability of medications and medical supplies, has ensured that our villagers receive timely and quality healthcare close to home”.

These village health dispensaries cater to a wide range of medical conditions commonly encountered in rural settings. These range from common cold, dermatological problems, stomach upsets or abdomen pain, joint ache, fatigue, hypertension, diabetes, injury, malnutritionandvitamindeficiency.

The daily average footfall of patients visiting one‘Nirogshala’ is 35. Over the past year, the four ‘Nirogshalas’ have served 28512 patients, underscoring their importance as a vital healthcare resource for the local population.

As a responsible corporate citizen, Utkal Aluminium International Ltd. is committed towards the socio-economic wellbeing and transforming the lives in the tribal hinterland. All UAIL’s projects are carried out under the aegis of the Aditya Birla Centre for Community Initiatives and Rural Development, chaired by Mrs. Rajashree Birla.  Utkal’s engagement extends to 232 villages of 25 Gram Panchayats of Odisha. UAIL enriches the lives of more than 2,01,000 people through its 5 pillars of interventions: education, healthcare, sustainable livelihood, rural infrastructure and addressing the issues of their socio-economic concern in line with UNSDGs.