UAIL’s Utkal Hospital provides rural medical access in southern Odisha

Rayagada: Reinforcing its commitment to community welfare, Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries under the Aditya Birla Group, continues to strengthen healthcare accessibility in southern Odisha through the successful operation of Utkal Hospital at Tikiri (Osapada) in Rayagada district. The hospital has evolved into a dependable healthcare hub for rural and remote communities who face challenges in accessing timely and quality medical services.

Serving as a cornerstone of UAIL’s flagship healthcare initiative, Project Aarogyam 01, Utkal Hospital, provides critical medical support across Osapada, Tikiri, Kashipur, Rayagada, and parts of Koraput district. In coordination with Nuapada Health Centres, the hospital treats nearly 7,500 patients every month. Another 2,500 patients receive care at the company operated First Aid Centre.

The 22-bedded Utkal hospital offers round-the-clock specialist care, supported by experienced doctors across Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G), Medicine, Surgery, Anaesthesia, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, and General Physician services. Visiting specialists in ENT, Dental, Dermatology, and Orthopaedics enable access to multi-disciplinary medical expertise.

Commenting on the initiatives, Mr. Rabi Mishra, the Unit Head of UAIL said,“Healthcare is one of the most critical pillars of sustainable community development. Through Project Aarogyam 01, Utkal Hospital is ensuring that quality medical services reach people living in remote regions. Our focus is to strengthen last-mile healthcare delivery by providing modern diagnostics, specialist care, and emergency services so that no individual is deprived of timely treatment due to distance or lack of facilities.”

Equipped with modern medical infrastructure and advanced diagnostic facilities including CT scan, Computed X-Ray, Endoscopy, and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgeries, Utkal Hospital is very well regarded. It has a laboratory with hormone, biochemistry, CBC, and electrolyte analysers ensures accurate diagnosis and timely clinical decision-making. Furthermore, a modern physiotherapy unit supports rehabilitation of patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, stroke, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions, significantly improving recovery outcomes and quality of life.

During critical public health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the diarrhoea outbreak in Kashipur block in 2023, Utkal Hospital played a crucial role inproviding timely treatment and advanced care, enabling local residents to access modern healthcare services without travelling long distances to urban centres.

To ensure wider outreach, UAIL operates Mobile Health Units (MHUs) and a fleet comprising two Advanced Life Support ambulances, three Basic Life Support ambulances, and one hearse van, collectively extending emergency ambulance coverage across more than 470 villages. These initiatives currently serve nearly 57,000 people in Rayagada, Koraput, and Kalahandi districts, delivering regular health check-ups, vaccinations, and awareness campaigns focusing on maternal health, nutrition, hygiene, and disease prevention.

Beneficiaries from nearby villages have also acknowledged the hospital’s impact on their lives. Kailash Majhi, a villager of Tikiri shared, “Earlier, we had to travel to far-off cities for even basic treatment, which was expensive and time-consuming. Now, with Utkal Hospital nearby, we are getting good doctors, diagnostic facilities, and emergency ambulance support within our reach. It has brought great relief to families in our village.”

By delivering affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services closer to home, Utkal Hospital continues to reduce the need for patients to travel to distant cities, strengthening healthcare resilience across rural Odisha and reaffirming Utkal Alumina’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable community development.