Jharsuguda: On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, conducted a week-long awareness programme on HIV/AIDS.
Based on the theme ‘Equalize’, the initiative was in association with Jharsuguda district health department and Odisha State AIDS Control Society.
The programme was aimed to sensitise community members, employees and business partners on the effective prevention and management of HIV/AIDS.
Information on important measures to prevent HIV/AIDS were shared through rallies, information sessions and distribution of informative pamphlets in Jharsuguda district.
Several awareness sessions were organised in association with key administrative and medical personnel from the district, including Additional District Magistrate Prabir Kumar Mohanty, Chief District Medical & Public Health Officer Dr Dolamani Patel, District Programme Manager Bulunath Sahu, Medical Officer of Integrated Counselling Treatment Centre’s District Sexual & RTI Clinic Dr A K Pandit, and members of Association of Volunteer Action.
Vedanta’s mobile health unit also travelled to several locations in Jharsuguda to spread awareness as part of this initiative.
The company reached out to numerous school and college students, government officers, police personnel and prison inmates at Jharsuguda District Jail, benefitting more than 2900 members of the community.
“Ensuring the collective health and well-being of our community has always been a key area of focus within Vedanta’s social interventions. We have endeavoured to maximise community awareness on improved health and hygiene practices by partnering with government bodies and organizations also working towards this cause. HIV/AIDS is a global health challenge that can be prevented by effective and essential measures, and we are making efforts to address this challenge through focused outreach to our communities. Through such initiatives, Vedanta is committed in its efforts to improve the overall quality of life of our local communities,” said Sunil Gupta, CEO Vedanta Ltd, Jharsuguda.
Appreciating the company’s efforts, Project Director, OSACS Urmila Mishra said: “Vedanta’s initiatives to sensitise the community towards the prevention of HIV/AIDS supports the public health department’s fight against this life-threating disease. The company’s effort in reaching out to various sections of the society and working towards building an AIDS-free community is truly appreciable.”
