Located in the northeastern part of Jharkhand state, Godda has a population of more than 13 lakhs. For years, the district has been struggling with the lack of an efficient healthcare infrastructure. Access to quality healthcare facilities has been a distant dream for many who stay in this region, which is rich in natural resources.
With about 2,000 villages, the district has 14 primary health centres and six referral government hospitals, including the district headquarters based Sadar Hospital. But most of these facilities struggle with overcrowding, lack of resources and trained professionals. Malnutrition, water-borne diseases and malaria are common ailments among Godda residents.
Even today, many residents have to travel to state capital Ranchi, about 330 km away, or other bigger towns for specialised treatment and care.
With an aim to improve healthcare facilities in Godda, the Adani Group – which operates the Godda power plant -- through its CSR wing, has been carrying out several projects since 2016. The initiatives mainly cater to the villages close to the power plant and the neighboring Sahibganj district. Local social organisations and communities have also stepped up to support these initiatives, many of which are specifically designed for children, new mothers, and the elderly. The Adani Foundation initiatives are supporting more than 80,000 residents in nearly 300 villages of the region.
One such initiative is focused on taking primary healthcare services to the doorsteps of residents. The Adani Foundation runs a mobile healthcare unit (MHCU) and it has partnered with HelpAge India and Wockhardt Foundation to operate three more units, each of which has a team of a doctor, a pharmacist, an ANM, and a Social Protection Officer.
In the 2023-24 fiscal the four MHCUs together catered to 66,142 patients, including 16,953 children, from Godda and Sahibganj districts. The Adani Foundation MHCU was also engaged to conduct medical camps and free medicines were distributed in 13 villages in Godda. A 24-hour emergency service was operated from an ambulance at Motia village. The HelpAge India MHCUs delivered medical services in 26 villages near the Adani Power Plant in Godda and more than 20,945 patients including 6,151 children, were catered to.
The Wockhardt Foundation MHCU team covered 16,451 patients, including 3,289 children, in 42 villages from Mahagama, Boarijor, Pathargama and Thakurgangti blocks. In Sahibganj, the Wockhardt Foundation MHCU catered to 16,653 patients, including 4,555 children.
The initiatives also prioritised community engagement and focused on creating awareness among residents on maternal and child health, and sanitation. In FY 2023-24, the Adani Foundation organised 96 specialised health camps on ophthalmic and paediatric care, along with gynaecology, and cardiology, at Motia village. Health camps were also conducted in 13 Godda villages and 2,535 patients, including 594 children from over 15 villages were screened, treated, and provided with free medicines.
“My child was malnourished, and we have been struggling with his treatment since his birth. The healthcare initiatives by the Adani Foundation have been a huge help. Now, my child is doing much better, and we are relieved,” said Meenakshi Kumari from Motia village in Godda.
In addition to these initiatives, the Adani Foundation is also invested in capacity building and training programs for the local youth. It provided support to the district health department of Godda to organise an awareness program and vaccination campaign on the Prevention and Curative Measures of Measles (Rubella) among children (aged 9 months to 15 years). The intervention was carried out in schools, anganwadi centres, and hospitals for frontline health workers, activists, and village leaders so that they could educate and inform the villagers about the vaccine.
“I have been ill for a long time. With my old age and lack of support, getting proper consultation and treatment has been very difficult. Thanks to the Adani Foundation, I am alive and well,” said Shital Ram from Motia village.
The efforts of the Adani Group have been recognised by various organisations. On July 12 last year, Adani Power (Jharkhand) Limited, Godda, was felicitated by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labour and Employment for contributing towards eradication of tuberculosis in Godda district in association with the district administration. On September 12, the Adani CSR wing received the Jharkhand Samajik Utkrishtta Award 2023 for contributing to the upliftment and development of the society in Godda district.
