From Malaria Hotspot to Health Haven: How Vedanta's Health Interventions Transformed Kalahandi

ONCE synonymous with poverty and deprivation, Kalahandi district had long struggled under the weight of inadequate health infrastructure, low awareness, and a high disease burden.

- PBD BUREAU

For decades, malaria loomed large as a persistent threat, with villagers in remote Kalahandi frequently falling prey to the disease due to a lack of proper healthcare and basic sanitation.

That story, however, has changed dramatically over the past two decades — thanks in large part to Vedanta Aluminium’s sustained efforts in the region. What was once a district grappling with vector-borne diseases has now emerged as a model of corporate-driven healthcare transformation, with zero malaria-related deaths reported since 2017 in the villages covered by Vedanta’s healthcare interventions.

The turnaround began with the setting up of Vedanta’s alumina refinery in Lanjigarh in 2003. What followed was not just an industrial project but a full-scale developmental push that placed the well-being of the community at its core. The company's social impact strategy focused intensively on controlling malaria — a disease that had previously caused significant mortality in the region. By distributing long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets to nearly 1 lakh people, installing anti-fogging systems, and conducting widespread awareness campaigns, Vedanta’s approach was systematic and deeply integrated with community needs.