Bhubaneswar: Vedanta Aluminium, under the CSR initiative of its Sijimali Bauxite Mines, has strengthened medical service delivery at the existing Sunger Primary Health Centre (PHC) through deployment of skilled medical manpower and essential healthcare support, significantly expanding health coverage in the region.

Undertaken in collaboration with the Rayagada district health administration, the initiative addresses persistent healthcare manpower gaps at the Sunger Primary Health Centre (PHC), which caters to nearly 20,000 people across the hilly and tribal catchment area as per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms.

Vedanta Aluminium has supported deployment across all 11 staff positions at the PHC, including an MBBS Doctor, AYUSH Doctor, Pharmacist and nursing staff, along with ambulance support.

During the last health camp in the area, community members had specifically demanded the provision of a permanent doctor and nursing staff, and this intervention responds directly to that need. The mortuary van is proposed as part of the broader healthcare strengthening effort and is not yet deployed.

The enhanced healthcare support was formally inaugurated on May 22, 2026, marking a key step towards improving access to timely and quality healthcare for communities in the Sijimali region. The strengthened medical services are expected to significantly reduce the need for villagers to travel long distances for basic treatment and emergency care, ensuring quicker medical attention for pregnant women, children, elderly residents, and critically ill patients in remote surrounding villages.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Govinda Naik, husband of Kuni Kumari Naik, Ex Vice Chairman, Kashipur Block; Sunil Kumar Rai, Kashipur Block Program Manager (National Health Mission), Damayanti Sahoo, ANM, alongside Gaurav Mani Naik, Head Master, Kantamal, and Suryanaraya Singh, Head Master.

Head Master, Dumerpadar School, Suryanaryana Singh said “The Sunger PHC catchment area had been facing shortages in healthcare manpower, impacting access to medical services for local communities. Vedanta Aluminium’s intervention is expected to bridge these critical gaps by strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure, enabling faster medical response, and ensuring better continuity of care for residents across surrounding villages.”