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.
