TFP Bureau Korba, Dec 28th, 2023: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), a prominent aluminium producer in India and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, successfully concluded a month-long AIDS awareness campaign, aimed at empowering communities in the vicinity of its operations. The initiative, part of BALCO’s Project Arogya, was launched on World AIDS Day (December 1) in collaboration with the District Health Department, reaching out to over 26,000 people in Korba, Chhattisgarh.
The primary goal of the comprehensive campaign was to enhance community awareness regarding HIV/AIDS through widespread information dissemination, combating stigma, and advocating preventive measures, especially within high-risk behavior groups and youth. The initiative employed a multipronged approach, featuring the ‘Jagrukta Rath’ in collaboration with the District Health Department, utilizing audio-visual aids and informational material.
The campaign also included group awareness sessions in high-risk areas within the community, engaging health experts and community members to sensitize parents and youths about various safety and prevention strategies related to HIV/AIDS. A ‘Youth Chaupal’ facilitated peer learning, where adolescent girls and boys were trained to become community advocates, promoting deeper awareness of HIV/AIDS. The initiative reached over 500 students across local schools and colleges, equipping them with essential knowledge, fostering empathy, and encouraging responsible behavior.
Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO, expressed the company’s vision, stating, “Through this month-long initiative, we aim to foster a more informed society, reduce further transmission of the illness, and support healthier living. Our health interventions are a testament to our pledge towards cultivating a brighter and equitable future for all community members.”
Dr. S.N. Keshari, Chief Medical and Health Officer, District Hospital, Korba, emphasized the significance of the campaign, urging citizens to seek knowledge and be aware of their HIV/AIDS status. He highlighted the ready availability of integrated testing and counseling centers (ICTC) in every development block and district, offering free tests and counseling to empower individuals on their journey to well-being.
World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1st, serves as a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Project Arogya, BALCO’s health-oriented community development initiative, focuses on generating awareness of HIV among high-risk behavior groups such as truckers and migrant workers. In FY2024 until December, over 2,000 individuals were sensitized through health camps, counseling sessions, and group awareness sessions.
BALCO, in partnership with the Social Revival Group of Urban, Rural, and Tribal (SROUT), remains committed to impactful healthcare interventions under Project Arogya. The company ensures the accessibility of quality primary healthcare services through Rural Health Posts, conducts awareness campaigns on critical topics, operates a mobile health van addressing healthcare challenges through doorstep visits, and organizes mega health camps and awareness campaigns, reaching over 45,000 people in the fiscal year 2023.
