Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Through its Mobile Health Unit (MHU) project, which aims to improve access to basic healthcare in underserved areas, Vedanta Aluminium, the largest manufacturer of aluminium in India, is bolstering rural healthcare services in Odisha. In 126 villages, including 35 in Rayagada, 31 in Sijimali, and 60 in Kalahandi, the firm provided free medical care to 65,000 individuals in FY26.
Mobile Health Units (MHUs) are specifically built vans that provide vital healthcare services directly to communities, especially in underserved, remote, and rural regions with limited access to clinics and hospitals. Serving as “clinics on wheels,” these facilities are manned by licensed medical experts and fully furnished with necessary medical equipment. By delivering healthcare services right to communities’ doorsteps, they help close significant accessibility gaps.
The MHUs provide a range of primary healthcare services, including health check-ups, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, maternal and child healthcare support, basic diagnostics, and distribution of free medicines. In addition, the medical teams regularly conduct awareness sessions on preventive healthcare, hygiene, nutrition, seasonal diseases, and early diagnosis to encourage healthier communities. The initiative has received appreciation from both healthcare workers and community members for improving access to reliable medical care in remote locations.
Basanti Bhag, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker, said, “Vedanta’s Mobile Health Units have played a crucial role in improving access to essential healthcare services in the region. The initiative has brought quality healthcare closer to our communities while also increasing awareness about preventive healthcare practices among villagers.”
