image credits: OTV
Dr. Shankar Ramchandani, an assistant professor at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), has been running a One Rupee Clinic since February 2021 Burla, a small town in Odisha’s Sambalpur district. His mission is simple yet profound: to ensure that no one is denied medical care due to financial constraints. For just one rupee, patients can access essential services like consultations, ECGs, and nebuliser treatments. This initiative, born from a deep sense of duty, has become a lifeline for the poor and underprivileged in the region.
Dr. Shankar’s Vision for The One Rupee Clinic
Dr. Ramchandani’s journey is rooted in his struggles. Having faced financial hardships during his medical education, he understands the pain of being unable to afford basic healthcare. “I couldn’t even afford to buy textbooks and had to depend on hand-me-downs from my seniors,” he shared in an interview. This personal experience inspired him to create a system where healthcare is a right, not a privilege. The clinic, located in the Kachha market area of Burla, 65 operates daily from 6 PM to 7 PM, after Dr. Ramchandani completes his duties at VIMSAR.
A Dental Clinic by Dr. Shikha Ramchandani
The One Rupee initiative has now grown into a family mission, with Dr. Shankar’s wife, Dr. Shikha Ramchandani, joining the effort. A dental surgeon with a BDS degree from Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai, Dr. Shikha, recently launched a One Rupee Dental Clinic in Burla, offering services like fillings, extractions, and cleanings at the symbolic price of one rupee. Operating for three hours every morning near VIMSAR, the dental clinic is entirely funded by her savings of Rs 3 lakh. Having left her job at the Divisional Railway Hospital in Sambalpur six years ago to care for their daughters, Dr. Shikha was inspired by her husband’s dedication. “My husband has been serving the poor. He inspired me to launch the clinic since dental care is often out of reach for the poor,” she said in an interview.
This expansion highlights the couple’s shared commitment to making healthcare accessible. Together, they offer services from ₹1 ECGs, ₹1 nebuliser treatments, and now ₹1 dental care, ensuring that even the most marginalised can access quality care.
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Impact of The One Rupee Clinic in Burla
The impact of the One Rupee Clinics is significant. On its very first day in 2021, Dr. Shankar’s clinic treated 33 patients. Over the years, he has treated thousands, with nearly 7,000 patients benefiting by 2022. The dental clinic, too, is making a difference by addressing oral health. By charging a token fee of one rupee, the couple ensures that patients feel a sense of self-respect while availing these services. “I charge one rupee from the poor and underprivileged people as I don’t want them to feel that they are availing the service free of cost,” Dr. Shankar explained to Outlook India.
What makes this initiative even more remarkable is its self-sustained nature. There is no large-scale funding or sponsorship; the clinics run on the couple’s savings. Their work has not only provided relief to thousands but also set an inspiring example for others in the medical field. As Dr. Shikha told ETV Bharat, “For the last four years, my husband has been treating poor patients for one rupee. That’s what inspired me.”
The One Rupee Clinics in Burla stand as a powerful reminder that compassion can bridge the gap between privilege and need. Dr. Shankar and Dr. Shikha Ramchandani have shown that healthcare can be both affordable and dignified, even in a world where costs are skyrocketing.
