Baragada: On a dusty road leading to the remote tribal village of Jubakhol in Odisha’s Baragada district, a white car pulled to a halt. But it was no ordinary visit. Within minutes, the vehicle transformed into a makeshift clinic. Villagers gathered with hope, labourers left their fields, and an otherwise quiet hamlet came alive—not because of a government programme or a scheduled medical camp, but because a doctor had come to their doorstep.
For the residents of Jubakhol under Katabahal Gram Panchayat in Gaisilet block, healthcare has long remained a distant dream. Surrounded by forests and far from major medical facilities, the tribal village has little access to regular treatment. Yet, for a few hours, that reality changed when Assistant Professor of Medicine at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, Dr Shankar Ramchandani—popularly known as the “Re 1 Doctor”—arrived with a mission to serve.
Rather than waiting for patients to reach him, Dr Ramchandani walked through the village and even called labourers working in nearby fields to undergo health check-ups. Carrying essential medical equipment in his car, he converted the vehicle into a mobile clinic and began examining patients.
His focus was on people suffering from respiratory ailments. Using a portable spirometer, he conducted lung function tests free of cost—tests that often cost between Rs 1,200 and Rs 1,300 at private diagnostic centres. He also examined patients, distributed medicines and counselled them on managing their health conditions.
As more villagers gathered, the consultation continued on a simple village cot. Around 25 to 30 people received treatment during the outreach programme. There were no hospital wards or sophisticated consultation rooms—only a doctor determined to ensure that distance did not become a barrier to healthcare.
Explaining the purpose behind his visit, Dr Ramchandani said remote tribal villages like Jubakhol continue to suffer because healthcare facilities remain inaccessible.
“After learning that many villagers were experiencing breathing-related problems, I decided to visit them instead of asking them to travel long distances. My car serves as an ‘ambulance on wheels’, carrying the medical equipment needed for diagnosis and treatment. Since I belong to the Padampur area, I feel it is my responsibility to serve the people here. This is also my way of fulfilling my mother’s dream of helping those in need. I will continue organising such healthcare outreach programmes in remote tribal villages in the future,” he said.
Dr Ramchandani has earned widespread recognition across Odisha for charging only Re 1 as consultation fee, a practice that has made affordable healthcare accessible to lakhs of patients. Over the years, his work has extended beyond hospital walls through free health camps, ECG services, spirometry testing and emergency medical support in underserved areas.
His latest outreach once again reflected the philosophy that healthcare should reach people, rather than forcing people to travel in search of healthcare.
For the villagers of Jubakhol, the visit was more than just a medical camp. It was a rare assurance that they had not been forgotten. Many expressed gratitude for receiving specialised medical care in their own village, something they said had never happened before. Before leaving, Dr Ramchandani promised to return and continue providing free healthcare services to the community.
In an era where quality healthcare often remains out of reach for people living in remote regions, Dr Ramchandani’s initiative stands as a reminder that compassion, commitment and a willingness to go the extra mile can make all the difference. His journey to Jubakhol was not merely about treating illnesses—it was about restoring hope, dignity and the belief that no village is too remote to deserve quality healthcare.
By Soumya Prakash Pradhan
