Bhubaneswar, Sep 20: In a significant public health initiative, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has partnered with the District Health Department of Odisha to advance early detection and screening of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Thalassemia in Kalahandi district, officials said on Saturday.

This collaboration aligns with the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2023, which aims to eradicate the disease as a public health concern by 2047.

As part of the partnership, Vedanta Aluminium has mobilized its fully equipped Mobile Health Units (MHUs) to conduct screening drives in Nakrundi, Talampadar, and Gunpur Gram Panchayats in Rampur block — areas identified as high-risk for SCD. Individuals aged 0–40 years are being screened using diagnostic kits provided by the District Health Department.

Vedanta’s MHUs have already conducted over 1,000 free health camps across Rayagada and Kalahandi in the past two years. Staffed by qualified medical professionals and stocked with essential medicines and diagnostic tools, these units not only offer immediate care but also promote preventive health awareness in underserved tribal regions.

The Odisha Government has intensified its efforts to manage SCD and Thalassemia, especially in tribal belts, offering free medicines, blood transfusions, transport support, and bone marrow transplant assistance. This joint effort reflects a shared commitment to inclusive healthcare and the vision of an anaemia-free India.

Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized the company’s dedication to community welfare, stating that the initiative aims to reach even the remotest villages. Dr. Niharendra Pand, Chief District Medical Officer of Kalahandi, highlighted the importance of early detection in saving lives and improving health outcomes.

Vedanta Aluminium continues to drive socio-economic transformation in Odisha through initiatives in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and grassroots development.