6, Feb 2024
World Cancer Day: Vedanta Aluminium leads the way to build awareness on cancer prevention
New Delhi; 06th February 2024: On World Cancer Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, reaffirmed its commitment to providing the best healthcare facilities and support to cancer patients, particularly those hailing from rural areas. On the occasion, Vedanta Group’s Raipur-based state-of-the-art cancer facility and one of India’s leading cancer care hospitals, BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), organised a series of cancer awareness activities in Chhattisgarh, focused on promoting prevention, detection, and treatment of the disease. BMC’s efforts were aligned with the theme ‘Closing the Care Gap’ by bringing cancer care to people’s doorsteps through a mammography van equipped with screenings for breast, cervix, and head & neck cancers – the 3 most common cancers in India as well as opening a chemotherapy daycare centre in the heart of Raipur so patients don’t have to travel far for chemotherapy. Similar activities and awareness camps were organised by BALCO in Korba, in collaboration with the NGO Help Age India.
World Cancer Day, observed annually on February 4th, is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about cancer and acknowledging the tenacity demonstrated daily by cancer fighters and survivors. As part of the activities, BMC also organised awareness sessions in schools and societies and a cancer awareness walk in the Raipur city. Along with this, BMC also announced a special offer on preventive cancer screening packages and pharmacy and a free second opinion for cancer patients.
Since its inception in 2018, BMC has served the needs of over 35,000 patients, addressing existing gaps in domestic cancer awareness and treatment. It is the most preferred oncology hospital in central India for advanced radiation therapy, brachytherapy, nuclear medicine, surgeries, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, blood-related disorders, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and pain & palliative care. This cutting-edge medical facility features 170 beds and state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. BALCO Medical Centre is bridging the gaps in domestic cancer treatment, awareness, infrastructure, and expertise. Furthermore, the centre has formed alliances with prestigious institutions in the field, including the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai and Anuva, a transnational research company specializing in genomics biotech.
On the occasion, Ms. Jyoti Agarwal, Chairperson of BALCO Medical Centre, said, “World Cancer Day serves as a reminder that the battle against cancer is fought not only in clinics and laboratories but also in the hearts and minds of those affected. At BALCO Medical Centre, we are committed to providing people in rural areas with access to quality healthcare and bridge the universal healthcare gap, promoting awareness, and eliminating the stigma associated with cancer and promoting early detection and care, thereby fostering an environment of empathy and resilience.”
Speaking about BALCO Medical Centre’s role in creating awareness around the illness, Dr Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director of BMC, “The delay in cancer diagnosis means patients are not cured, suffer from financial & time toxicity, and the catastrophic expenditure pushes them more into poverty – this is counterproductive for our country’s heath. On this World Cancer Day, BALCO Medical Centre organized a series of cancer awareness camps to promote early diagnosis of the disease which will lead to higher cure rates, elevate quality of life, and reduce the cost and duration of treatment, thereby contributing to a healthier nation. Destigmatizing cancer was at the heart of all the initiatives conducted on that day.”
Established by the Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF) and backed by the Anil Agarwal Foundation (AAF), BALCO Medical Centre is making a difference in the lives of lakhs of people through increased access to quality medical care. BMC’s extensive roster of renowned cancer specialists regularly organises efforts to educate individuals on the cruciality of timely preventive screening and mitigation measures against various forms of cancer. Dedicated medical experts from the centre reach out to students, working professionals and other community members through several platforms such as awareness talks, health camps, and webinars. Along with cancer treatment, all patients at BALCO Medical Centre also receive robust psychological, nutritional and physical therapy, in addition to membership in patient support groups for emotional support during their care period.
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- By Rabindra
2, Dec 2023
Vedanta Aluminium organizes masterclass to boost innovation within global extrusion industry
New Delhi, 2nd, December 2023 – Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has hosted its third technical masterclass, focusing on enhancing innovation and efficiency within the extrusion industry. The session, titled ‘The Metallurgy of Extrusion’, drew nearly 200 participants globally, including registrations from the USA, UK, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Qatar, UAE, Greece, Portugal, Belgium, and India.
Mr. Jonathan Pangborn, a globally acclaimed extrusion expert and Technical Advisor on Billet Extrusion for Vedanta Aluminium, led the masterclass. This is the latest in the company’s bouquet of offerings for customers, including new product development, new application development, market development, technical knowledge sharing, and much more.
Vedanta Aluminium is India’s leading producer and exporter of top-quality billets, offering a wide range of choices, including the 1xxx, 3xxx, and 6xxx alloy series, to the global extrusion industry, tailored to their needs. With a production capacity of 580 kt per annum, the company’s billets are manufactured using world-class technology from Wagstaff, Inc. (US) and Hertwich Engineering GmbH (Austria).
Previously, the company launched a special range of High-Speed Billets that can improve extrusion speeds by at least 25% with zero compromises in the strength of the extruded profile. Attesting to their high quality and sustainable provenance, Vedanta Aluminium’s products are the first in the country to be verified as environmentally sustainable by the Environment Product Declaration (EPD) International and also certified for quality by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Additionally, its aluminium smelter and captive power plant in Jharsuguda has been certified against the Aluminium Stewardship Initative (ASI) Performance Standard.
Extrusion is a vital manufacturing process for shaping aluminium into various forms with uniform cross-sections and a crucial step in aluminium’s journey towards powering several important applications in today’s world. The masterclass serves as an informational cornerstone for Vedanta Aluminium’s customers, providing insights into the intricate process of extrusion.
By delving into alloy chemistry, temperature control design, process enhancements, and more, the session equipped participants with crucial knowledge about extrusion. Understanding these details empowers customers to leverage aluminium extrusion more effectively, enhancing their product quality and operational efficiency. This technical expertise aids in developing innovative solutions tailored to their specific industry needs, positioning Vedanta Aluminium’s clients at the forefront of advancements in the extrusion industry.
Highlighting the company’s sharp focus on ensuring customer delight, Mr. John Slaven, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Catering to our customers’ dynamic needs is at the core of Vedanta Aluminium’s business approach. Our pursuit of excellence in aluminium production is matched by our dedication to delivering unparalleled value to our customers. In addition to continuous product improvement, high-quality manufacturing, and customer empowerment, we also strive to elevate industry standards through technical partnerships, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning opportunities.”
Reflecting on the universal applications of aluminium, Mr. Jonathan Pangborn, Technical Advisor – Extrusion, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “I see aluminium extrusion as a pivotal element in our modern lives, seamlessly incorporated into most of our gadgets, vehicles, and living spaces. As we strive towards creating a sustainable future, the continuous advancement of aluminium applications gains even more significance, playing a key role in ongoing decarbonization initiatives across various industries. The need to share this knowledge is essential; it equips industry leaders with the means to embrace innovation and encourages a shared commitment to sustainability.”
Aluminium is the world’s second-most crucial metal today, boasting exceptional properties like a high strength-to-weight ratio, remarkable design flexibility, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and perpetual recyclability. The flexibility of aluminium, combined with the adaptability of the extrusion process, not only improves product quality but also boosts productivity.
Aluminium’s capacity to be extruded into intricate shapes with precision makes it an optimal material for design applications demanding the utmost versatility from a cross-sectional perspective. This uniqueness in the aluminium extrusion industry comes with specialised requirements. Applications spanning aviation, automobiles, building & construction, infrastructure, and more necessitate extruders to master aluminium properties, ensuring both speed and top-notch quality to stay competitive.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) 2022 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
