Jajpur: Residents of mining-affected areas in Sukinda and Danagadi blocks of Jajpur district received a major welfare boost with the inauguration of a series of projects focused on healthcare, safe drinking water and maternal and child health under the support of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Jajpur, on Sunday.
Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Pradeep Bal Samanta, who attended the event as the chief guest, inaugurated a free dialysis service centre at the Danagadi Community Health Centre. The facility is expected to provide dialysis services to patients in the mining-affected areas, reducing the need to travel to distant healthcare facilities for treatment.
Several ‘Nirmal Bunda IoT-based Drinking Water Purification’ projects were also inaugurated in different mining-affected areas to improve access to safe and purified drinking water. The projects were launched at Bharadapashi under Chandia Gram Panchayat, Patabali under Deulakana Gram Panchayat, Kalarangia under Ransol Gram Panchayat and Kaliapani Gram Panchayat.
The initiatives are aimed at addressing some of the key welfare needs of communities living in areas affected by mining activities, particularly access to essential healthcare and safe drinking water.
Later, a Maa Gruha and Shishu Samruddhi Kendra (a Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC)), was inaugurated at the Kaliapani Community Health Centre. The centre will provide nutritious food, medical care and other necessary healthcare services to children suffering from malnutrition. It will also extend essential healthcare support to mothers.
The projects are part of the DMF’s efforts to utilise funds for improving the quality of life of people living in mining-affected areas.
A public meeting was subsequently organised at the premises of Chandimata Upper Primary School in Kaliapani. The meeting was attended by public representatives and senior district officials, besides a large number of local residents.
Among those present were Jajpur Lok Sabha MP Rabindra Narayan Behera, District Collector Ambar Kumar Kar, Additional District Magistrate, Kalinga Nagar, Sapan Kumar Nanda, and CDO-cum-EO, Zilla Parishad, Jajpur, Debi Prasad Mohanty.
BDOs, officials from various departments, DMF officials and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
