TFP Bureau, Korba, April 112025: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), a flagship company of Vedanta Aluminium, is making significant strides in improving healthcare access and outcomes in Chhattisgarh, especially in the domain of maternal and child health. Through its flagship community health programme, Project Arogya, the company has empowered over 10,000 mothers with critical knowledge on nutrition, wellness, and childcare, helping bridge long-standing health gaps in remote and underserved communities.
A central feature of Project Arogya is the Positive Deviance/Hearth (PDH) sessions—a 12-day program where mothers of undernourished children learn behavior-based practices to improve child nutrition using locally available resources and government-supplied Take Home Ration (THR). These efforts are supplemented with health screenings, anemia reduction camps for pregnant and lactating women, and active participation in Poshan Maah, the Government of India’s nationwide maternal and child nutrition drive.
“Healthy mothers and children form the backbone of a nation’s development. At BALCO, our healthcare interventions are designed to close critical gaps and foster resilient communities,” said Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director of BALCO. “Our vision is to create an inclusive medical ecosystem that empowers individuals and enhances well-being.”
Local Impact and Testimonies
Neha Sahu, a resident of Khatiyapara near Korba, shared how BALCO’s initiatives have made a personal difference. “When my daughter was diagnosed with moderate acute malnutrition, the PD Hearth sessions completely changed my approach to her care. The knowledge I gained is now something I share with other mothers in my village.”
BALCO also leverages digital media to provide nutritional guidance to new mothers and runs awareness initiatives in Nand Ghars—Anganwadi-modernization centres supported by the company—to promote anemia prevention and hygiene education among children.
Comprehensive Health Outreach Across Communities
BALCO’s healthcare interventions extend beyond maternal and child health. Through Rural Health Posts, Mobile Health Vans, and Mega Health Camps, the company provides both preventive and curative services to over 1.5 lakh people in its operational regions. Mobile vans alone have served 22,500+ individuals across 70 communities.
Initiatives like Project Nayi Kiran are transforming school environments by promoting menstrual hygiene and creating safe spaces for adolescent girls. BALCO is also the first corporate in the state to partner with the State AIDS Control Society to establish an Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) for HIV/AIDS awareness and care.
Hospital Infrastructure and Advanced Medical Care
The BALCO Medical Centre (BMC) in Naya Raipur stands as a leading tertiary oncology facility, treating over 13,000 cancer patients annually and drawing over 83,000 outpatient visits. In Korba, the 120-bed BALCO Hospital caters to more than 1.8 lakh people each year, backed by a medical team of 80 professionals and 110+ support staff. These facilities also host free screening camps and facilitate government schemes like Ayushman Bharat to ensure medical services remain accessible to all.
Employee Wellness Also a Priority
BALCO’s healthcare philosophy extends to its employees and partners. On World Health Day, the company organized a large-scale Swasthya Chaupal, offering health screenings, yoga workshops, expert consultations, and dietary guidance to over 500 attendees. Regular vaccination drives, routine health check-ups, and fitness programs further demonstrate BALCO’s commitment to holistic well-being.
From the heart of industrial Chhattisgarh to the remotest villages, BALCO is building healthier communities through its focused, inclusive, and scalable healthcare efforts—setting an example for corporate social responsibility in India.
