Vedanta Aluminium Hosts Mines Safety Fortnight

Bhubaneswar: In a significant step toward strengthening public health in Odisha, Health & Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling today released the State Action Plan on One Health and the Annual Report of IDSP-IHIP-2024. The event took place in the conference hall of the Health & Family Welfare Department at Loksabha Bhawan.

During the event, the state government also released the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Government of India for the establishment of a Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC). This initiative aims to enhance preparedness and response capabilities for public health emergencies, ensuring a faster and more coordinated approach to handling health crises in the state.

The State Action Plan on One Health presents a comprehensive strategy integrating human, animal, and environmental health to promote a holistic approach to well-being. It emphasizes strengthening disease surveillance systems, particularly for zoonotic diseases, and promotes the responsible use of antimicrobials in both human and animal health. Additionally, the plan focuses on enhancing collaboration between the health, agriculture, and environmental sectors and raising public awareness about the importance of a unified approach to health.

Alongside the action plan, the Annual Report IDSP-IHIP-2024 provides an in-depth review of the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) in Odisha over the past year. The report highlights key achievements, challenges, and recommendations for further strengthening disease surveillance and public health management in the state.

A major achievement noted in the report is that Odisha secured the top position in the IHIP performance ranking for 2024. Recognizing this feat, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling praised the health administration of all 30 districts for their dedicated efforts in ensuring efficient disease surveillance and health data management. He acknowledged the seamless coordination among district health officials, which contributed to Odisha’s outstanding performance at the national level.

The event witnessed the presence of several key officials and experts, including Aswathy S., Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health & Family Welfare Department; Dr. Simmi Tiwari, Joint Director & HoD, Centre for One Health, NCDC; Dr. Brundha D., Mission Director, NHM (Odisha); and Dr. Vinita Gupta, Consultant, NCDC, IDSP-IHIP in charge of Odisha. Senior officials from the State IDSP Cell, CDM & PHOs, along with their respective District Surveillance Teams, also attended the event.

The release of the State Action Plan on One Health and the IDSP-IHIP 2024 report marks an important milestone in Odisha’s commitment to disease prevention, health surveillance, and emergency preparedness. With the establishment of the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) and a continued focus on One Health principles, Odisha is taking proactive steps to ensure a healthier and safer future for its people.

Vedanta Aluminium Organises Annual Mines Safety Fortnight at Jamkani Coal Mine

Bhubaneswar: Reinforcing its commitment to safe mining operations, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, successfully conducted its Annual Mines Safety Fortnight (AMSF) at the Jamkani coal mine in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.

Organized in collaboration with the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), the two-week-long programme saw enthusiastic participation from over 500 employees and business partners. With the theme “Aapka Pariwar Aapka Intezar Kar Raha Hai”, the initiative emphasized the importance of strict safety protocols to prevent workplace accidents and safeguard employees’ well-being.

Prafull Ranjan Thakur, Director of Mines Safety, DGMS Bhubaneswar, lauded Vedanta Aluminium’s efforts, stating, “I congratulate the Jamkani coal mine team for successfully organizing the Annual Mines Safety Fortnight. Their commitment to regular safety drills, awareness programs, and strict adherence to safety protocols—such as a secure one-way access road for heavy earth-moving machinery—sets a high benchmark for the industry.”

Highlighting the company’s safety-first approach, David Stone, CEO (Coal Mines), Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Safety is an integral part of our core values, and ensuring a zero-harm workplace remains our top priority. We are committed to implementing best practices at all operational levels and fostering a ‘culture of care’ to create a safe environment for all stakeholders.”

During the fortnight, the company organized various safety awareness activities, including defensive mock drills, fire safety sessions, first aid training programs, and road safety awareness drives. Employees, their families, and local communities actively participated in these initiatives.

A key highlight of the programme was an external safety inspection conducted by a 10-member AMSF team, comprising an Internal Safety Organisation (ISO) observer and senior officials from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL). The evaluation reaffirmed Vedanta Aluminium’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards across its mining operations.

With this initiative, Vedanta Aluminium continues to strengthen its safety culture, ensuring the well-being of its workforce and setting industry benchmarks for responsible mining practices.