Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], December 07: In a bid to sensitize the local community on HIV-AIDS prevention in line with the “World AIDS Day” 2024 theme: “Take the Rights Path: My Health, My Right!”, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, kickstarted a weeklong awareness campaign in Odisha from December 1-7.
Commenting on the company’s health interventions, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we firmly believe that the health and well-being of communities are the cornerstones of sustainable development. Our awareness campaign stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to addressing pressing health challenges and empowering communities through knowledge, care, and support. By fostering understanding and combating stigma, we aim to inspire collective action and pave the way for a healthier and more inclusive future.”
These proactive health awareness sessions were essential to dispel the myths, reduce stigma and provide accurate information about HIV-AIDS, empowering individuals to adopt preventive measures and seek timely treatment.
In Jharsuguda district, a World AIDS Day awareness rally was flagged off by Mr. Kishor Kumar Swain, Additional District Magistrate (ADM), drawing more than 350 participants, including NCC and NSS cadets, Vedanta employees, personnel from the police stations, and local students of schools and colleges.
In Lanjigarh (Kalahandi district), the campaign started with targeted awareness sessions for migrant workers, truck drivers, and the local community, focussing on prevention and safe practices. The initiative saw the participation of more than 500 individuals fostering an understanding of HIV-AIDS and empowering participants to act as change agents.
At the Kuraloi Coal Mine, rallies and awareness sessions in collaboration with the Red Ribbon Club, National AIDS Control Organisation, and National Service Scheme (NSS) benefited more than 500 community members. In Sundargarh, “nukkad natak” (street play) and educational sessions engaged students, truck drivers, and local communities, reaching out to more than 600 individuals. In the Sijimali region, a mass rally was flagged off by Dr. N. Panda, Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Kalahandi, while it was conducted in partnership with OSACS and district medical authorities providing crucial health education to over 5,000 individuals.
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