At a time when medical expenses have shot over the roof and consultation with specialists burns a hole in the pocket of common man, a doctor in Mysuru has been treating patients for just Rs 10.
July 1 is celebrated as ‘Doctors Day’ in India, a day dedicated to thank the doctors for all their services and medicines. Dr N M Shyam Sundar, who has won the confidence of poor patients with his treatment, is serving the JSS Medical College and Hospital as an Anatomy professor.
Speaking to DH, Dr Shyam Sundar said, “I am getting paid for my services in the hospital. Hence, I don’t take money from my patients, most of them are from below poverty line families,” he said.
“I treat around 25 patients every day. Instead of wasting time by watching television, I decided to serve the poor in the evenings at my small clinic,” he said.
Medicines on offer
The doctor examines the patients, provides medicines and injection for just Rs 10. He does not charge for minor surgeries on children, but only takes nominal charges for the materials used.
“I do not demand any money for surgeries. I accept whatever they pay to meet the expenses. I have done around 3,000 surgeries so far,” he said.
Dr Shyam Sundar, who is 63 years old, had served as the chief of Anatomy department since 16 years.
Now, he is serving as professor.
He was also the director of JSS Body Donation Association.
Donors
“Around 3,000 people have registered with our association for body donation. We have already received 300 cadavers. I create awareness on body donation,” he said.
“The bodies of my mother and sister, who died a few years ago, have been embalmed and kept at the college,” the doctor said. “ The cadavers will be used by medical students”, he added.