Yesterday I came across a news item in Dainik Bhaskar stating how one Doctor Dr SP Mukherjee serves the patients taking only Rs 5 as fees. This kindled in me fond memories of my father Late Dr Radha Ballabh Prosad. My father studied medicine at PMCH, Patna along with some of eminent doctors of today such as Dr Roy Chandi Nath Sahay and Late Dr Shkuntala Sahay (of Ranchi). He started medical practice at my maternal place Begusarai but later shifted to Jamui. He was the only MBBS doctor in the area (excluding the government hospital) when he started his practice in Jamui around 1953-54. He became quickly popular among the people and people from long distance such as Asansol (220 km away) came for treatment.
He will charge minimum fee from poor villagers (say Rs 1 or 2) and some time no fees if the patient cannot afford. Medicines from dispensary would be also provided free to such patients.
He however will charge normal fees from those who could afford and whenever he went on call to faraway villages usually by tamtam (tonga). Large verandah of our house will be full of patients in summer months with some patients on drip. No charge for such night stays was charged and my generous grandmother will offer food to some patients . Half portion of our house well was available for public use as well as one toilet was also meant for public / patient's use. He was really a people's doctor. He was a painter and poet too & will paint and write poems. He was a very caring father and visited us regularly in Bokaro and Ranchi. Miss you papa!
We lost him some 35 year ago at an early of 56 yrs... a freak accident snatched him from us!
He was a loving family man. Early death of my grandfather made his small life a struggle. Only 2 of anong his 6 siblings were settled in life badi fua and manjhli fua. He had to act as father for 3 brothers (of which one was blind) and one sister apart from 3 of us (late Anju di, little mukul and me) when he started his medical practice in Jamui. He quickly became busiest medical practitioner in the town and our days changed. when he passed away I was left in similar situation with 3 unsettled and studying siblings. I tried to emulate him to the extent I could. Hope my younger ones will forgive me if I couldn't make them achieve their goals or ambitions.
