Ballari: Access to healthcare in Ballari and its neighbouring regions is undergoing a shift, with NMDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative equipping Ballari Medical College and Research Centre, formerly VIMS, with advanced medical infrastructure. The super-speciality government hospital now caters not only to Ballari but also to nearby districts and parts of Andhra Pradesh, offering critical care that was once out of reach for many.
For years, overcrowded wards and limited facilities forced patients to travel long distances for treatment. This year, NMDC, India’s largest iron ore producer, contributed ₹8.33 crore to modernise the hospital. The support has introduced vital equipment such as ICU ventilators, neonatal circuits, Bubble CPAP and paediatric BiPAP devices, and High Flow Nasal Cannula machines for oxygen therapy. Surgical facilities have also been upgraded with HD laparoscopes, ERCP scopes, and laser systems, alongside new operating tables and advanced LED lights.
Doctors at the hospital say the changes have transformed their ability to save lives. “With more medical equipment, we can care for more patients, bringing the hospital closer to fulfilling its mission. We sincerely appreciate NMDC’s contribution, which has made this possible,” said T Gangadhara Gouda, Director of VIMS.
“With this advanced equipment, we are better prepared to treat patients in need of critical surgeries. We are thankful to NMDC for standing beside us in strengthening healthcare at VIMS,” added Shanthamurthy, Biomedical Engineer.
For families, the impact has been life-saving. Sunitha (name changed), a mother from a nearby village, recalled bringing her premature baby to the hospital with little hope. “We thought we might lose our child. But here, the doctors had the machines, the care… today, my baby is alive.”
NMDC described the initiative as part of its larger commitment to community well-being. “As a Navratna enterprise, we believe nation-building begins with healthy communities,” said Amitava Mukherjee, CMD, NMDC. “Supporting Ballari Medical College is our responsibility, an assurance that progress must reach even the most underserved.”
Over the past two decades, NMDC has invested more than ₹2,600 crore in sectors including skill development, education, infrastructure, and healthcare in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, where it operates.
BI Bureau
