Coal India Inaugurates First All-Women Dispensary At SECL HQ

In a landmark move towards women empowerment in the coal sector, Coal India Limited has inaugurated its first fully women-operated dispensary at the South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) headquarters in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. The Vasant Vihar Dispensary, now staffed entirely by women, was formally inaugurated today by SECL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Harish Duhan.

The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of senior SECL officials, including N. Franklin Jayakumar, Director Technical (Operations & Project/Planning), Biranchi Das, Director (HR), D. Sunil Kumar, Director (Finance), and Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer, among others.

The newly launched dispensary will be operated by a dedicated 14-member all-women team, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and support staff. It marks a major milestone in enhancing gender inclusivity and leadership opportunities for women in the mining and energy sector.

CMD Harish Duhan expressed his pride in launching Coal India’s first all-women dispensary at SECL. “This is a proud moment for us. The Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, has emphasized increasing women’s participation and leadership in the coal sector. This initiative reflects that vision and will pave the way for many more such milestones,” said Duhan.

The Vasant Vihar Dispensary is equipped to offer a range of medical services including Outpatient Department (OPD) services, emergency medical care, a dressing and injection room, ECG facility, a blood collection centre for pathology tests, and a fully functional OPD pharmacy.

Beyond its healthcare services, the initiative is being seen as a powerful step in fostering inclusive workplace environments and setting a precedent for women’s leadership in traditionally male-dominated industries.

This all-women dispensary stands as a symbol of progress and inclusivity, reinforcing Coal India’s commitment to diversity and employee welfare.