Lanjigarh: Vedanta Limited, Lanjigarh, country’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina, observed World Cancer Day.
It organized a two-day program and conducted knowledge-sharing and sensitization sessions covering 50 Nand Ghars (anganwadis modernized by Vedanta) of Kalahandi and Rayagada districts on February 4 and 5.
In 10 such places, awareness sessions on precautionary measures along with vital information were conducted in strict adherence to COVID guidelines.
The members and beneficiaries of the remaining 40 Nand Ghars participated virtually.
During these sessions, the cluster coordinators of Nand Ghars interacted with women beneficiaries and front-line workers about various types of cancer, especially breast cancer and lungs cancer.
Various Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on the topic was shared and the participants were made aware that the disease is potentially curable if diagnosis and treatment are done on time and with proper medical consultation.
The precautionary measures to be taken to prevent the disease were also elaborated during the program.
Dr. Ruchi Mishra, Medical Officer, District Early Intervention Centre, Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust, Uttar Pradesh, interacted with the participants virtually and gave consultations regarding breast and lungs cancer.
On this occasion, Chief Operating Officer Vedanta Limited Lanjigarh unit Rakesh Mohan said, “At Vedanta Lanjigarh, we have always given priority towards ensuring good health and well-being of the communities around our areas of operations. As part of this effort, we have come forward to make people aware about different diseases on different occasions. I am confident that the knowledge-sharing sessions organized on World Cancer Day have been effective in imparting important and relevant information to the community members about the disease. We will continue to conduct such sensitization programs in the future as well to make our communities aware and informed for leading a healthy life.”
Acknowledging Vedanta’s efforts, Jayanti Barik, Anganwadi Worker, Bakatpur village said that these awareness sessions organized by Vedanta were very informative and useful for us. Knowledge on diseases like breast and lungs cancer, which can be avoided by precaution and controlled through timely treatment, is much needed in this region.
Vedanta’s social interventions in the domains of sustainable livelihood, women empowerment, quality education, health, water and sanitation, bio-investment and community infrastructure reach out to a total of 69 villages in Lanjigarh and nearby areas, benefiting about a lakh people in a year.
It empowers more than 3000 women from 305 self-help groups (SHGs), provides healthcare services to about 30,000 people annually, gives educational support to a large number of students.
