Project Arogyadhara

Providing high-quality healthcare facilities to the rural population

BIPF - Bhoomika Vision Centre : Sukinda

Eye is considered as one of the five vital organ of human physiology, thus Eye care is an integral part of our overall health. Good vision contributes to improved learning and better quality of life; any impairment in vision affects our day-to-day living. Often it is noted, age related ophthalmic issues like air borne infections, eye injuries, contaminations are rarely consulted with medical practitioners. This neglect not only affects the vision of eye, but also reduces the productivity of the person. Thus, identifying the eye problem and seeking medical care, protects and cures varied ailments.

Considering the importance of Eye care, one of the essential steps towards wellbeing of the community living in the vicinity of IMFA’s operational area; BIPF, the CSR arm of Indian Metal & Ferro Alloys has partnered with Bhoomika Eye Hospital to provide quality Eye care service at Sukinda.

In India, as many as 550 million people are estimated to be suffering from vision problems due to lack of proper awareness and availability of services. BIPF's partnership with Bhoomika Eye Hospital will certainly help us provide essential Eye care and thus be a marker to assess the wellbeing of the community we serve. BIPF - Bhoomika Vision Center will provide the community an opportunity of essential eye care thus preventing vision issues in the future.

Kanya Express

Kanya Express, a innovative mobile health van was launched by the “Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation” with the aim of addressing Anaemia amongst adolescent girls. he Kanya Express will regularly check Haemoglobin levels of young girls, facilitate distribution of Folic Acid supplements and impart awareness on anemia related illnesses, nutrition and wellness. BIPF will also provide adolescent girls with seed kits to create a nutri-garden in their household backyard which will help with nutrition supplementation.

Every fifth person in India is an adolescent and from this 50.6% are girls. Adolescent girls are prone to diverse vulnerabilities and 56% are anemic. Low hemoglobin leads to physical weakness, which reduces their chances to learn skills and be productive. Further anemia also leads to difficult pregnancies, complicated childbirth and low birthweight babies who are then prone to several complications.

The “Kanya Express” is a customized mobile health vehicle which will travel to far-flung areas and villages in Cuttack district. This program will cover 53 villages of 9 Gram Panchayats in 2 Blocks of Cuttack in the current year. In addition to haemoglobin checks and folic acid supplements, The Kanya Express Initiative (KEI) is in collaboration with Office of Chief District Medical Officer and District Social Welfare Officer.

Kanya Express will be a game changer for adolescent girls helping them to understand nutritional needs and address anemia related challenges. This project has been introduced with an objective to reduce the intergenerational challenges caused due to anemia and poor nutrition and in turn reduce MMR and IMR in the program areas.

Dispensaries

BIPF provides healthcare support through well-equipped medical clinics/dispensaries at Therubali, Nuasahi, Sukinda, and Choudwar. The dispensaries are adequately staffed with experienced doctors, nurses, and paramedics. In addition, BIPF provides free medical consultation and medicines to the villagers. There are also laboratory facilities made available for pathological diagnosis.

BIPF-LVPEI Vision Center

BIPF-LVPEI Vision Centre was established at Therubali in 2017 with the aim to provide specialized eye treatment. This was the result of MoU signed with Hyderabad Eye Institute, a trust of L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad.

Health camps

BIPF organizes free quarterly health camps in collaboration with the district health administration. These camps are aimed at those who lack access to the basic healthcare and cannot afford specialized medical treatments. Specialists in medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, and orthopedics provide diagnosis, treatment, and referrals to the patients. These camps also sensitize villagers about health and sanitation. BIPF is running awareness programs on preventive measures against diseases like malaria, dengue, and diarrhea in schools and communities through meetings, public announcements on mobile vans, and pamphlet distribution.

Maternal and child health Training

BIPF is working relentlessly to ensure safe and healthy pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labour, and delivery as well as post-delivery healthcare. Currently, regular antenatal and postnatal checkups are provided to the mothers and newborn babies at Sukinda and Therubali dispensaries. In 2012-13, the foundation partnered with ‘Pathfinder International’, a global leader in reproductive health to conduct training programmes for ASHAs and auxiliary nurse midwives at Angul and Keonjhar districts to decrease maternal mortality and morbidity. Ila Panda Gynecology ward at Angul’s district hospital works toward bridging the gap of inadequate infrastructure for maternal and child health.

BIPF organizes immunization drives in association with the Health Department, Government of Odisha. Awareness programs are also organized to sensitize and mobilize the community for the vaccination of young children to reduce under-five mortality and morbidity rates. BIPF runs camps in association with Anganwadi workers and ASHAs for sensitizing adolescent girls on health and hygiene practices.

Success Stories