“SICKLE CELL AWARENESS PROGRAM” JOINTLY LAUNCHED BYUTKAL ALUMINA & DISTRICT ADMNISTRATION RAYAGADA
Bureau,Odishabarta
Bhubaneswar/Rayagada: In a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by sickle cell disease in the district of Rayagada, the District Administration and Utkal Alumina International Limited, a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited of Aditya Birla Group hasjoined hands and launcheda comprehensive Sickle Cell Awareness Program on 3rd November 2023.
The program was officially inaugurated by Smt. Swadha Dev Singh, The District Collector and Magistrate Rayagada in presence of Mr. Mazhar Beig, Unit Head and President Utkal Alumina, and Dr. Lalmohan Routroy, CDMO Rayagada.
Dr. Gurucharan Pattnaik, Administrative Officer DHH Rayagada, Mr. Rajesh Pattnaik, DPM, National Health Mission, Rayagada and Smt. Lopamudra Mishra, Head CSR & CR Utkal Alumina were among the dignitaries present in the occasion.
The project would create awareness among the priority groups. i.e. Antenatal Women and Spouse, Baby and Adolescentson the disease and motivate them for screening. In the first phase, entire Kashipur block would be covered under this initiative where villagers will be sensitized about the disease, it’s preventive & curative measures through street plays, Public Announcement Systems, Wall painting and screening camps. Screening of the disease would be conducted for the High School’s boys and girls by the District Health Department.
Mr. Rajesh Pattnaik, DPM NHM Rayagada briefed the house onstatus of Kashipur block and Rayagada District about the identified patients on sickle cell which is about 10 to 15%. He also highlighted the National Sickle Cell Mission and its agenda for the district.
Smt. Swadha Dev Sing, DM & Collector Rayagada extended her gratitude to Utkal Alumina for the collaborative effort. She emphasized that Good health and wellbeing of the community is a collective social responsibility. He appealed to the entire team to put their best effort in ensuring 100% screening of sickle cell disease in the next six months.
Speaking on the occasion, Sri Mazhar Being, Unit Head & President Utkal Alumina emphasized the collaborative efforts taken by the district administration and Utkal Alumina in the past to face health epidemic and crisis. We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by Sickle Cell Disease. By partnering with district administration, we aim to create a healthier and more aware community as mentioned by Mr. Beig in his deliberation. He also mentioned initiating screening facility of sickle cells at Utkal Hospital shortly.
Dr. LalmohanRautroy – CDM&PHO,Rayagada, appreciated Utkal Alumina for joining hands with district head quarter hospital to contribute to the national agenda. He mentioned that within this joint effort we both would certainly contribute to the district to eradicate the disease.
The program was coordinated by Ms. Niharika Sahu, Department Head CSR Utkal Alumina, along with entire CSR Team of Utkal Alumina.
