Vedanta observes World Aids Day

Commits to United Nations’ #HIVPrevention2016 campaign to end epidemic by 2030

 India CSR News Network

NEW DELHI: A signatory of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Vedanta, a globally diversified natural resources company, on the occasion of World AIDS Day, organized awareness campaigns and health programmes across its operations to raise awareness among employees, contractors and the entire community about HIV and AIDS. Vedanta, has aligned with the United Nations global initiative towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

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Vedanta is one of the few companies in India to have a holistic HIV/AIDS policy that includes care, support & treatment for all employees who have contracted the illness. The company’s HIV/AIDS policy hinges on propagating preventive measures, providing treatment and support for communities as well as employees.

“Amplifying awareness reduces the risk possibility of the spread of diseases and access to modern healthcare facilities in rural communities is essential towards the holistic development of communities. Vedanta is committed towards supporting social goals of its host nations,” says Roma Balwani, President, Group Communication & Sustainable Development at Vedanta.

Vedanta Hospital, Lanjigarh is one of the hospitals in the state which has been accredited by NACO to test HIV cases through the kits available at the hospital. These kits are available free of cost and free consultation services also being rendered to the patients affected by the disease.

In Lanjigarh, an awareness drive was organized at villages in and around the company’s facility. The program organized at the Government High School, Batelima sensitized community members on the myths and realities on HIV/AIDS. Doctors from Vedanta Hospital, Lanjigarh highlighted the overall phenomenon of the disease, and precautions to be taken.

The company’s aluminium and power business in Jharsuguda, Odisha, awareness sessions were organized for truck drivers, contract laborers and communities in and around the company’s operations. Blankets were distributed to senior citizens at the RR Colony and employees at the facility participated in slogan writing competition organized by Odisha State Aids Control Society (OSACS).

Hindustan Zinc Limited conducted HIV awareness and testing camps in 20 villages of 10 blocks in Udaipur. The health checkup at the camps covered over 3400 people.

At BALCO, in Chhattisgarh, organized a symposium where theme-based panel discussions were held to raise awareness about AIDS. The panel consisted of representatives from state aids control society, district health department, district women and child development department, transport association and others.

At Sterlite Copper in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, a blood donation camp was organized at the Thoothukudi Government Medical college Hospital (TKGMCH). More than 50 employees from various departments actively participated. As part of the camp, employees have also taken a pledge towards HIV / AIDS prevention and care for people affected by the disease.

Vedanta’s Sesa Goa Iron Ore business in association with the Blood Bank of Goa Medical College and Hospicio Hospital Margao, conducted a blood donation camp for its Value Addition and Iron Ore employees in Amona and Codli in Goa on the occasion of World AIDS Day. This year, around 60 units of blood were donated by employees from the Value Addition Business in Amona and Codli Mines. The company has been actively organizing such blood donation camps for the past years on World AIDS Day as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.

In Africa, Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) is working proactively with the Government of Zambia and Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) to implement HIV preventive programmes in Nchanga, Konkola, Nkana and Nampundwe. Around 14,000 people in the four locations were provided Voluntary Counseling & Testing  in the last five years. KCM is committed to its awareness programmes, working towards an HIV-free Africa.