For more than a decade, Birla Carbon India’s Patalganga plant has focused on strengthening community health systems and improving access to quality medical care for those in need. The launch of the special OPD (Outpatient Department) services at Lohop Primary Health Centre (PHC) marked a significant milestone in this ongoing commitment. This initiative was designed in response to a pressing challenge that communities around Lohop were spending a substantial portion of their income on medical treatment, often traveling long distances to get access to specialty care. Recognizing this gap, the plant collaborated with the government health department, Lohop PHC, and partner NGOs to introduce an accessible, free, and specialist-driven OPD facility.

The District Health Officer (DHO) presented an appreciation certificate to the Patalganga plant for its outstanding work.

Transforming Healthcare Access

The OPD was conceptualized to bring expert medical consultation directly to the community. With specialties such as dentistry, ophthalmology, pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology, and orthopedics, the facility ensures that patients who once struggled to access specialist care can now receive timely treatment within their own locality.

As this remote location lacks specialist doctors, this initiative helps them access timely medical care and take preventive measures. Through this facility –

• Patients are now able to get free consultations, thus reducing the financial burden on families
• Health conditions are identified and treated earlier, improving long-term well being. The aim is to promote preventive healthcare in the long run
• The community increasingly trusts public healthcare services, strengthening local health systems

Scale of Impact

The OPD services gained remarkable traction within a short period and the consistent efforts of medical partners – MGM Medical & Dental College, Kamothe; All for Eye Hospital, Khopoli; and specialist visiting doctors – have altogether resulted in a total of 9,092 patients receiving treatment across various specialties.

Enriching Lives through Community Trust and Recognition

The initiative also earned the OPD recognition from the Khalapur Taluka and District Health Department, which formally appreciated Birla Carbon’s contribution to public healthcare.