Orissa: Vedanta joins hands with govt. to fight Dengue in Kalahandi

The recent causality by Dengue outbreak in Orissa is frowning upon with several deaths being reported from various places of the state. Though not as grim as in the most affected areas like Anugul and Jharsuguda, the situation in Kalahandi–one of the backward areas of the country–does not speak a different tale with several cases being detected in Kesinga block. However, before it’s too late, Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL) partnered with the Government Health Department has taken up several Health initiatives to trim down Dengue cases in a bid to exterminate the disease completely from the area.

At this juncture of time, the preventive measures and awareness among the common mass has become inevitable. Keeping this as prime importance, VAL and Government Health Department of Kalahandi launched a 10-day Dengue Control Drive with massive awareness programme to keep up good health of the people in the district especially at Kesinga, Bhawanipatna and Lanjigarh periphery.

For immediate action VAL has already donated one fogging machine to the NAC Kesinga where several dengue cases were detected whereas one fogging machine will be distributed to the Municipality, Bhawanipatna immediately. However, fogging has already been started in and around Lanjigarh. The 10-day Dengue Control Drive programme also includes many preventive measures like larva control, cleaning of drains, sprinkling of bleaching powder, kerosene oil and phenyl to reduce the incidence of Dengue. Medical Camps will be organized through Mobile Health Unit and first aid treatment will be provided to the patients as part of the programme. To create awareness in the villages – IEC Awareness Programme, hoarding/banners and mass campaign through announcement and leaflet distribution have already been started by VAL in the Lanjigarh area.

Speaking on the region, Dr. Mukesh Kumar, President, VAL said, “Dengue has taken many lives in Orissa and is a major concern in the state. It is our corporate Social responsibility to fight Dengue in Kalahandi and to make a healthy society around the region. VAL will leave no stone unturned to decimate Dengue from Kalahandi.”

Many deaths have been reported in Orissa with new Dengue cases being detected every day. Recently, a massive awareness programme was also been taken by VAL at Jharsuguda area which has witnessed maximum Dengue cases.