BALCO’s Healthcare Initiatives Transform Maternal & Child Health in the Communities
Balconagar,: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, is transforming healthcare by empowering 10,000+ mothers under Project Arogya, its health initiative. Emphasizing on the role of a healthy diet during a child’s formative years, BALCO is bridging the nutrition gaps in the remote areas of Chhattisgarh.
As a part of Project Arogya, BALCO offers comprehensive health screenings, with a structured approach categorizing children based on their nutritional status. Malnourished children are identified followed by 12-day Positive Deviance/Hearth (PDH) sessions of their mothers to enhance their child’s nutrition and overall well-being. PDH is a behavior change program to rehabilitate underweight or malnourished children. These sessions also teach recipes using Take Home Ration (THR), a government provided health supplement. Furthermore, BALCO also partners with the District Health Department during a month-long initiative ensuring mother and childcare, ‘Poshan Maah’ led by the Government of India, to help pregnant and lactating mothers with nutritional support. Arogya also emphasizes on maternal and child health through ‘Anemia Reduction Camps’ to combat anemia among pregnant and lactating mothers. Through various training courses and health camps, the company is nurturing sustainable health practices in rural communities.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO says, “At BALCO, we believe that good health is the foundation of strong communities. Healthy mothers and children form the backbone of a nation’s growth, and our initiatives are designed to bridge critical gaps in healthcare by improving access and raising awareness. Through multiple such efforts, we strive to build a strong, inclusive medical ecosystem that empowers individuals and enhances the well-being and resilience of the communities around us.”
Neha Sahu a resident of Khatiyapara, a village near Korba shares, “As a mother I wasn’t prepared for nourishing my younger one as every child’s nutritional requirements are different. When my little girl was diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition, I started actively participating in PD Hearth sessions, organized by BALCO which was gamechanger for my child’s health. The knowledge that I gained through these sessions, I now share with everyone I meet.”
BALCO also has a digital series guiding new mothers, with essential tips to overcome malnutrition. Additionally, the organization also focuses on child healthcare through Nand Ghars leading initiatives on anemia prevention and hygiene awareness.
BALCO has multiple healthcare initiatives under its community welfare interventions, impacting over 1.5 lakh people through preventive and curative health care services. Through Rural Health Posts and Mega Health Camps BALCO is transforming lives of the communities in its vicinities. Under Project Nayi Kiran, many schools have adopted menstrual health-friendly practices, creating safe spaces for adolescent girls. BALCO has also partnered with the State AIDS Control Society as the first corporate to establish an Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC). Alongside this, Mobile Health Vans (MHVs) continue to deliver medical care to the doorsteps across 70 nearby communities, extending services to 22,500+ people.
BALCO Medical Centre (BMC) is a tertiary Oncology facility in Naya Raipur with an OPD footfall of over 83,000, treating more than 13,000 patients annually. In Korba, BALCO Hospital is a 120-bed multi-specialty healthcare facility, serving more than 1.8 lakh people annually. With a team of 80+ medical professionals and over 110 support staff the hospital is provides comprehensive medical care. Additionally, free health screening camps and vaccination drives under government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and Mediclaim, are facilitated ensuring that medical facilities remain accessible to all.
BALCO’s approach towards healthcare can be seen both in the community and in the plant. Prioritizing the well-being of employees and business partners, regular vaccination drives, routine health check-ups, and fitness sessions are conducted. Celebrating the World Health Day, a special ‘Swasthya Chaupal’ brought over 500 employees and business partners for health screenings, yoga modules, balanced diets, and expert advice on nutrition and wellness. BALCO through its health initiatives and social responsibility interventions is empowering lives of the BALCO family and the extended communities
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