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Adani Foundation Boosts Early TB Detection in Bilaspur with Portable X-Ray Donation

By auther pic. CSRBOX

January 1, 2025

Adani Foundation Boosts Early TB Detection in Bilaspur with Portable X-Ray Donation

Adani Foundation

Did you know that the highest number of tuberculosis cases in the world prevails in India? India accounts for around one-fifth of TB cases globally. Around 28 lakh TB cases were reported in 2022 while an estimated 5 lakh deaths occur due to TB each year. 

Though TB diagnosis and treatment services are provided by the government free of cost in the public sector, accessing the services and loss of wages are the major hurdles. TB is a highly infectious disease that spreads through the throat and nose from one person to another. It can even lead to death if not treated timely and properly. 

However, in the past year, TB cases have decreased from 3.2 lakh missing cases in 2022 to 2.3 lakh missing cases in 2023. This is attributed mainly to the increasing awareness about TB and the introduction of portable machines for detecting TB.

In this respect, ACC, a part of the Adani group, started an initiative and donated a portable X-ray machine to the District Tuberculosis (TB) Hospital in rural Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. Bilaspur is one of the cities highly affected by TB, with 249 cases per 100,000 people. With a commitment to making health facilities accessible, ACC donated the machine to the place.

Initiative

Tuberculosis is one of the major causes of death due to infection in rural Bilaspur. Members of the families are affected by one another. Undernutrition prevails in the area and the incidence of TB becomes severe. The government offers free-of-charge treatment, but people resist treatment mainly because of loss of work and wages. 

Moreover, early detection of TB also does not happen as people do not turn up in the health centers for check-ups. This escalated the situation in rural Bilaspur. People are not aware of the preventive measures that can be taken to prevent TB among families.

ACC, which is a part of Adani Group, is the leading producer of cement building materials. The company serves its customers through its worldwide channel partners. ACC and the Adani Foundation are highly committed to community support. 

ACC is involved in various CSR activities that aim toward the betterment and welfare of society. The company engages in community development in various fields including health, education, livelihood, skill development, and community infrastructure. 

Efforts                                                                     

In recent years, various companies and NGOs have been working in Bilaspur to raise awareness among people about TB and its effects. Prolonged and careful treatment of patients is required for which early detection is a must. The government is also taking the initiative to increase the rate of TB detection at the place so that treatment takes less time. 

Private practitioners are also given training to treat patients with high-risk symptoms of TB. Various research is conducted to understand the increasing rate of TB cases in rural Bilaspur.

ACC also understood the plight of residents of rural Bilaspur and the way they are affected by TB and its symptoms. One of the problems is that people do not visit hospitals and clinics to get TB detected. So, the company donated a portable X-ray machine ‘Mini-90’ to the District Tuberculosis Hospital. 

The company consists of a team of young CSR specialists who conducted surveys and research in rural Bilaspur to analyze health-related problems especially those related to TB. Donating the portable X-ray machine is one of the significant steps ACC took which helps in the easy and quick detection of TB at earlier stages so that timely treatment can happen.

Impact Created

The X-ray machine 'Mini-90' donated by ACC is a lightweight and portable device that is easy to carry. It is useful in remote and hilly areas where people resist visiting hospitals for regular check-ups until their health worsens. It weighs only 4kgs and the touch screen enables users to operate it easily. 

The machine creates clear images of the spine, chest, and head enabling doctors to diagnose TB patients easily and quickly. Mini-90 is useful in household screening, especially for vulnerable populations, underserved, and at-risk populations. The machine is easily transportable by motor or walking. 

It also supports the government’s objective of cost-effective and affordable TB screening for actively finding missing TB cases owing to its low capital investment.

Early detection through the portable Mini-90 X-ray machine will have a significant impact on the area. It has positive health outcomes for the entire rural community in Bilaspur that is suffering from TB in one way or the other. People can get their TB test done at their convenience. 

It is beneficial for vulnerable populations like the disabled and aged who cannot move to the hospitals for check-ups. It lessens the burden of time and cost of transportation to the clinics among the people by transporting the machine to any place. The portable machine is a significant contributor to screening and enhancing infection control specifically in rural areas. 

Early treatment will improve the health conditions of the people of Bilaspur and also raise their economic and living standards. They will not have to be away from their work for long which safeguards their financial condition.

Way Forward 

ACC and Adani Group are highly committed to society. ACC and its volunteers recognized the pain and suffering that the people of rural Bilaspur were going through which is commendable. The company understood the root cause and acted upon it by donating a portable X-ray machine to identify TB cases at an early stage.

Today, ACC has one of the leading CSR engagements in the country. The company started its CSR activities in the 1940s and has come a long way. Since then, ACC has reviewed and updated its CSR policy so that it benefits the most. 

 

In the future, ACC promises to remain committed to society and take an active role in enhancing public health, education, living conditions, women empowerment, and skills of the underprivileged sections of society.

Also Read: Bry-Air’s 14th Eye Camp: Enhancing Vision and Community Wellbeing in Moga, Punjab

Author

CSRBOX.org is the single largest CSR information dashboard for CSR heads, board members of companies, nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, government agencies and social businesses to find latest updates in CSR domain in India. The platform is powered by India's largest social sector platform NGOBOX.

 

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