Hyderabad: In an era where exorbitant charges of medical care has made it impossible for the poor to get treatment at private hospitals in India, a young doctor in Andhra Pradesh has become a shining example of serving humanity.
Dr Noori Parveen, who completed her medical graduation or MBBS course from a private medical college in Kadapah district of Andhra Pradesh, charges only Rs10 per patient to ensure economically weaker families are not deprived of medical help.
Dr Parveen, who hails from a middle class family of Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh earned her medical seat through competitive examination based on merit. When she scored well and passed out of the medical college, she decided to dedicate herself to serve the needy.
“I opened my clinic deliberately in a poor locality of Kadapah to be of use to the people who cannot afford expensive treatment,” said Dr Parveen. “I started my clinic even without informing my parents back home in Vijayawada. But when they came to know about my move and my decision to charge nominal fees they were immensely happy and blessed me”.
Noori Parveen says that the inspiration to serve humanity and be of help to the needy came from her parents. “My upbringing was like that. My parents imbibed me with the spirit of social service. They set an example for us by adopting three orphans and arranging their education,” she said.
Apart from charging Rs 10 for outpatient cases, the young doctor charges only Rs50 (Dhs 2.50) per bed for in-patients. “Every day about 40 patients visit my clinic,” she said.
In a city like Kadapah, a district headquarters, where normally private doctor charges anything between Rs 150 to Rs 200 per visit, “Rs 10 doctor” has become a ray of hope for the poor and the destitute.
Her efforts have earned laurels from all around and many social organisations have started recognising her. Before she started the clinic, Dr Parveen had started two social organisation to espouse the cause of education and health care. While one organisation, “Inspiring Healthy Young India”, was taking up various programmes to inspire the children and youth about education and health, she also started “Noor Charitable Trust” in memory of her grandfather to take up social work. It was under this trust that she organised community meal programme for the poor and the needy during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A life is not worth living if one does not care for the sufferings of the people,” she said, adding that she wants to make it her life mission.
“Most of the patients who visit us are suffering from malnourishment and weakness,” she added.
Dr Noori Parveen’s future plans include pursuing post graduation in Psychology and setting up a multi-specialty hospital with a special focus on the underprivileged sections.
