Chennai: At an age where doctors are looking towards opportunities in the West or wishing to settle in a tier one city, coming across doctors providing dedicated service in primary health centres is unimaginable.
There are however, a few exceptions like 58-year-old Dr Durai Navarathnasami, who has been working at a PHC, 25 km from Pudukkottai, for the past 26 years. The diabetologist is now receiving accolades for dedicating his life to serving the poor.
A graduate from Thanjavur Medical College, the doctor pursued his diploma in diabetology from Annamalai University. Coming from a family of agricultural labourers, he was the first to graduate. He started his service at the Karaiyur PHC in 1990, and had to face a whole lot of struggles.
“When I joined the PHC back in 1990, basic facilities like transport were very less. I stayed at the PHC quarters and my wife, Dr Mageshwari, moved in with me in 1996 and helped me at the PHC,” said Dr Durai, who is now a block medical officer.
“My wife, who now works at the Pudukkottai Government Hospital, has always been a great source of help. Though she left the PHC, she has always stood by me as a pillar. My daughters, both MBBS students, have also been very understanding,” he said.
Residing at Pudukkottai, Dr Durai now travels every morning to the PHC. He also has a clinic where he sits in the evenings. He served as the state vice president of the TN Government Doctors’ Association. He was also honoured by the District Collector at the Pudukkottai district level review meeting for his 20 years’ service.
“I will continue to visit the PHC and encourage doctors there after retirement. It was my passion to serve the poor that helped me stand strong. It is rewarding when I see youngsters from my village going ahead to study medicine,” he said.
“When a three-year-old baby boy was brought to me with snakebite, I was distressed. However, I am grateful that we could help him in his treatment,” he added.
Urging the younger generation to utilize whatever opportunity comes their way, he said they should serve the poor at some point of their career.
“This is an exceptional case and it is Dr Durai’s personal vision and mission that caused him to stay on there. It speaks volumes about his commitment. He should be recognized for having stayed on there, despite meagre equipment and the lack of support from the government. PHCs are usually a neglected area because doctors are not interested in staying in villages. They do their mandatory one or two years and then move out,” said Dr Sunil Chandy, director, Christian Medical College, Vellore.
