Rural clinic sets example by treating poor with a human touch at nominal rates

At a time when serious questions have been raised from different quarters over the high price of medical treatment in private healthcare establishments, Shramik-Krishak Moitri Swastha Kendra, set up by a group of dedicated doctors more than a decade ago, is a classic example of good patient-doctor relationship. There has been a sharp rise in the turnout of locals and patients from neighbouring states over the past years.

There is a steady flow of patients from East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and South 24 Parganas in addition to Kolkata and from neighbouring states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and even Utter Pradesh.

The health centre, situated at Beltala village in Chengail in Howrah was established on March 20, 1995 in the presence of Mahasweta Devi, Dr Shatrajit Das Gupta and others. Dr Punyabrata Goon, a close aide of Shankar Guha Neogy who had worked in Sahid Hospital in Chattishgarh, joined the centre along with a health worker. Today the centre has 23 doctors, 32 health workers and four therapists. It also provides two months of training to basic health workers. The popularity of the centre has compelled it to open satellite clinics in Bauria, Bagnan and Bainan in Howrah and organise monthly camps in Bankura, Beliatore, Mathabhanga and Jalpaiguri in North Bengal.

Dr Asis Kundu, a close aide of Guha Neogy, said proper medical treatment and mutual respect between the patients and doctors are responsible for the success of the clinic. Whenever a patient visits the centre, his detailed family history is taken by the health workers and then the specialists examine him. The centre had opened a fair price medical shop long before the state government.

The pathology tests are done at a much cheaper rate. "Care is taken to ensure that the patients are fully cured of the ailment that plagues them and this is the cause of the clinic's success," Dr Kundu said. The clinic treats around 4,000 patients per month. After a doctor examines a patient, the health workers explain the dosage of the medicines and how to consume them to the patients. "This personal care is very important and the patients feel that they are being looked after properly. In the city-based clinics, the doctors hardly have the time to listen to the history of the patients and to explain the dosage of medicines to them", Dr Kundu added.

Dr Goon said a book on the proper use of drugs would be published by the centre shortly. Along with treating the patients, awareness camps are organised where they are taught about their right to health. Three things are very important for the treatment of patients, namely, rational diagnosis, rational use of investigation and rational use of medicines. He said many young doctors have shown keen interest in the initiative and are serving the poor patients.

Along with other ailments, mental health problems are also on the rise in rural areas. People suffering from schizophrenia, depression and personality disorders visit the centre regularly. "It is very interesting that unlike in the cities, where a majority of the family members of patients have a tendency to suppress the disease of their near and dear ones, here the family members and society give them full support and it becomes easier for them to overcome their illness sooner," he explained.