Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, is strengthening rural healthcare delivery in Odisha through its Mobile Health Unit (MHU) initiative, aimed at improving access to primary healthcare in underserved regions. In FY26, the company delivered free healthcare services to 65,000 patients across 126 villages, including 35 villages in Rayagada,31 villages in Sijimali and 60 villages in Kalahandi.
Mobile Health Units (MHUs) are specially designed vehicles that deliver essential healthcare services directly to communities, particularly in remote, rural, and underserved areas where access to hospitals and clinics is limited. Functioning as ‘clinics on wheels’, these units are fully equipped with essential medical tools and are staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, helping bridge critical accessibility gaps by bringing medical services directly to the doorsteps of communities.
The MHUs provide a range of primary healthcare services, including health check-ups, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, maternal and child healthcare support, basic diagnostics, and distribution of free medicines. In addition, the medical teams regularly conduct awareness sessions on preventive healthcare, hygiene, nutrition, seasonal diseases, and early diagnosis to encourage healthier communities.
The initiative has received appreciation from both healthcare workers and community members for improving access to reliable medical care in remote locations.
Basanti Bhag, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker, said, “Vedanta’s Mobile Health Units have played a crucial role in improving access to essential healthcare services in the region. The initiative has brought quality healthcare closer to our communities while also increasing awareness about preventive healthcare practices among villagers.”
Speaking about the impact of the initiative, Sarkar Majhi, a resident of Upar Ambapadar villagein Kalahandi District, said, “I am grateful to Vedanta Aluminium for its development efforts, as the Mobile Health Unit has been a great support for our village, especially for elderly people and children who otherwise had to travel long distances to access medical services.”
Access to healthcare remains a major challenge in many remote regions of Odisha, where distance, limited infrastructure, and shortage of healthcare professionals often prevent timely treatment. By delivering doorstep services, the MHU initiative eliminates the need for travelling long distances to address basic medical needs.
Demonstrating its continued commitment to community healthcare, the company has also organized 11 multispecialty health camps benefiting 1,949 patients across 51 villages. Furthermore, 40 cataract surgeries have been facilitated for elderly residents, restoring vision and improving quality of life for vulnerable beneficiaries in Sijimali area. Across Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium’s healthcare initiatives, including MHU services, have positively impacted more than1 lakh people.
These extensive healthcare interventions reflect Vedanta Aluminium’s broader commitment to sustainable development and community welfare in Odisha. By working closely with local authorities, healthcare institutions, and community stakeholders, the company continues to drive impactful initiatives in healthcare, education, livelihood development, women empowerment, and rural infrastructure, contributing significantly to the socio-economic progress of the region.
