Bhubaneswar: Kalahandi,a name once synonymous with famine, malnutrition and disease is now becoming a beacon of health and hope due to the tireless work of doctors and medical teams supported by Vedanta Aluminium. In villages where hospitals were once out of reach, the comforting presence of white coats and stethoscopes is now a symbol of trust and transformation. Across 120 villages, Vedanta’s healthcare initiatives are restoring dignity, enabling access, and reshaping what healthcare means in rural India.In 2024 alone, more than 1 lakh people were positively impacted by the company’s health interventions.
At the heart of Vedanta’s healthcare transformation is the Vedanta Hospital at Lanjigarh, which records nearly 60,000 patient visits annually. Situated in the remote Kalahandi district, the hospital is a critical lifeline for tribal and rural communities, many of whom once had to travel long distances for even the most basic medical care. Staffed by a team of eight dedicated doctors, the hospital provides round-the-clock services, ensuring accessible, reliable, and compassionate care for some of the region’s most underserved populations.
One of the hospital’s standout initiatives is its cataract surgery program, conducted in partnership with Jagannath Netralaya, Bhawanipatna. In 2025 alone, the hospital performed 250 free cataract surgeries, bringing the cumulative total to 1,507 surgeries, thereby restoring vision and dignity to hundreds of elderly patients whose eyesight had deteriorated due to years of untreated conditions. The hospital also boasts state-of-the-art physiotherapy services, making it one of the most well-equipped facilities in the region.In areas where emergency medical access is a challenge, Vedanta’s free ambulance service has proven to be a game-changer, offering timely transportation and care to patients in surrounding villages.
Dr Amit Kumar, Chief Medical Officer at the Vedanta Lanjigarh Hospital acknowledges the service of his colleagues, saying,“In remote regions, where quality healthcare is hard to come by, it is indeed heartening to see the work being undertaken by all our medical heroes whose dedication, compassion, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to humanity make a difference in someone’s life. Their presence brings hope and healing in the most difficult times.”
The hospital is also aligned with the National Digital Health Mission, supporting the National Digital Health Card pilot project that enhances medical record-keeping and improves healthcare accessibility in remote areas. Its designation as an Employers’ Utilization Dispensary under the ESIC Scheme further reflects its commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality healthcare to both employees and the broader community.
Beyond the hospital campus, Vedanta’s healthcare outreach continues through its Mobile Health Units (MHUs), which travel to 65 villages every month, providing free health check-ups, early disease detection, and referral services. These units play a vital role in combatting illnesses like tuberculosis (TB) and promoting preventive care. As part of the Prime Minister’s Nikshay Mitra initiative, Vedanta distributes over 300 nutrition baskets monthly to TB patients, supporting their recovery with essential dietary support.
To complement medical treatment with long-term public health benefits, the company regularly organises monthly multi-specialty health camps, which expand access to specialized care in remote regions. In addition, preventive healthcare drives, which arefocused on health awareness, sanitation, and hygiene promotion in surrounding villages, have brought increased awareness on basic healthcare practices.In the past year alone, Assistive Support Camps for Persons with Disabilities have given a new lease of life to more than 80 individuals, providing mobility aids and medical consultations.Together, these efforts demonstrate Vedanta’s holistic approach to healthcare – one that integrates clinical excellence, community outreach, and inclusive care, building healthier, more resilient rural communities in the process.
“In a remote location like Kalahandi, where resources are limited but the need is immense, our role extends beyond healing. We are a source of trust for families,” shares Dr. Nasreen Ali, Paediatric Specialist at Vedanta Hospital. “We bring not just treatment, but reassurance for a renewed belief in better days ahead”, she added.
In 2014, Vedanta extended its commitment through a partnership with Maa Santoshi Jan Kalyan (MSJK) Hospital in Bankakundru, a remote area about 25 km from Lanjigarh. At that time, MSJK Hospital was the only healthcare center in the region covering a handful of villages. With Vedanta’s support, the hospital now caters to 300 villages across 15 Gram Panchayats, serving around 25,000 people annually. The impact has been transformational, not just for patients but also for the doctors who work there.
“Serving at MSJK Hospital for the past seven years has been an honour. Providing care to a remote tribal community is more than a profession, it’s a deeply fulfilling act of devotion,” says Dr. Samarendra Patra of MSJK Hospital.
In places like Kalahandi, where healthcare once seemed like a distant hope, doctors now walk side by side with villagers in their journey toward wellness. The stories of healing at Vedanta Lanjigarh Hospital and MSJK Hospital are a testament to what’s possible when corporate responsibility meets grassroots commitment.
