Tata Steel has dedicated a reconstructive surgery unit at Jamadoba consisting of a 10 bedded hospital for leprosy patients across the State. It provides free treatment to those who have been disabled by leprosy. The reconstructive surgery unit was inaugurated by Mrs Ruchi Narendran on May 24, 2017 in the presence of Ms Sudha Srivastav, Dist. Leprosy Officer, Mrs. Mita Singhal, Mrs. Sailaja Sundararamam, Mrs. Rakhi Banerjee, Mrs. Nupur Das, Mrs. Jasbir Kaur, Mrs. Tanya Banerjee and Dr A Rohatgi, Chief Medical Officer.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Narendran said that awareness was the key to check the spread of the disease and activists of the organisation would visit different locations of the district to appraise students about leprosy. She informed further that awareness drives with the help of mobile education units of the society are also on the cards.

In 2009, a disability care unit SPARSH (a joint venture of Tata Steel and LEPRA) was started at Jamadoba. The institute is providing OPD services to the needy which include information, education and communication (IEC) on the subject, provision for specially designed protective footwear, physiotherapy, prevention of disability (POD), prevention of worsening disability (POWD), amongst others. This newly constructed hospital will support patients with surgery if required by dedicated surgeons. The Reconstructive Surgery Centre (RCS) would provide pre-operative and post-operative care. Earlier this surgery was done at the Purulia Leprosy Mission Hospital.

From 2009 onwards a total of 13330 patients have been treated in OPD services, 221 new leprosy case diagnosed, 437 patients treated for Ulcer and complication management done for 150 patients. Further, under the AID and appliances distribution process, 44 tricycles, 37 wheelchairs, 135 crutches and 3889 Protective Footwear have been distributed.

This reconstructive surgery unit which is one-of-its-kind in Eastern India, will play a major role in the leprosy eradication programmes, benefitting the patients from the States of Jharkhand and Bihar. Already 20 patients from Bhagalpur, Banka, Sahebganj, Munger and Dhanbad districts of Bihar and Jharkhand respectively are likely to benefit from it with assistance of the Lepra society. During the inauguration, two tricycles, one Wheel chair and two crutches were distributed to the needy.

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel Group stands among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 28 million tonnes per annum (MnTPA) and a turnover of US $17.69 billion in FY16. It is the world's second-most geographically-diversified steel producer, with operations in 26 countries and commercial presence in over 50 countries. Established in 1907, the Group’s vision is to be the world steel industry benchmark in “Value Creation” and “Corporate Citizenship” through the excellence of its people, approach and overall conduct. Underpinning this vision is a performance culture committed to aspiration targets, safety and social responsibility, continuous improvement, openness and transparency. Having bagged the Deming Application Prize and Deming Grand Prize for continuous improvement in 2008 and 2012 respectively, Tata Steel has now been recognised as the global ‘Industry Leader’ in ‘Steel category’ by Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Besides being one of ‘worldsteel’s’ Climate Action members, it has also been awarded the CII ITC Sustainability Prize, the ‘Best-in-class Manufacturing’ by TIME Award, the Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant, among several others

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Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.

Kulvin Suri

Chief, Corporate Communications, India & SEA

Tata Steel

E-mail: kulvinsuri@tatasteel.com