Sambalpur: A doctor couple working in Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) has launched a free clinic for the treatment of slum dwellers in Samleipadar area of Odisha’s Sambalpur city with a mission to serve the underprivileged and downtrodden. Sanjeeb Mishra is an assistant professor in the department of Community Medicine at VIMSAR while his wife Gitarani Choubey works as a senior resident doctor in Forensic Medicine.
Stating that the locality where he lives has many slums, Sanjeeb said most of the people residing in these slums are daily wagers and they depend entirely on government hospitals for their healthcare needs. He further added that visits to the government hospitals for doctor consultation takes a lot of time due to the heavy rush and sometimes, the slum dwellers end up losing a day’s wage. They have to wait at the hospital for long hours and fail to go for work.
“We were planning to provide free medical services to the needy and underprivileged residents of these slums. Finally, my wife suggested that we start a clinic for them. I believe the free clinic will be a convenient alternative for the slum dwellers to receive consultation without spending the entire day or money,” said Sanjeeb. Sanjeeb further said that his wife will also assist him in the clinic which will remain open for patients in the evening from Monday to Saturday.