In all likelihood, the consultation fee you pay a doctor is Rs. 150 or above. How about paying Rs. 2 for a consultation?
A Triplicane-based social organisation has shown subsidised medical care is possible with the goodwill of people.
Srinivas Young Men’s Association (SYMA) runs a medical centre at T.P. Koil Street in Triplicane where a token amount of Rs. 2 is collected from each patient. On an average, 30 patients visit the centre for consultation daily.
Medicines are given free of cost. In August, the medical centre – one of the most successful initiatives of SYMA – enters its 25 year.
The Rs. 2 programme was inspired by the model followed by Dr. Sridhar of Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara Medical Trust, which was running a similar initiative in Besant Nagar at that time.
“In a month, we spend Rs. 25,000 towards medical expenses at the centre,” says T.J. Ramani, treasurer and a long-time resident of the area.
Apart from the many donors who have been supporting SYMA, the medical centre has been able to reach out to more people through its various initiatives.
A scheme of Rs.1,000 per day was started where those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions are encouraged to donate. A blackboard in the medical centre has names of all the donors mentioned for a day.
“The majority of contribution for a year comes from birthday celebrations,” says Ramani.
In 2009, a diagnostic laboratory facility was added to the centre. Now, nearly 200 people avail the facility where sugar tests (Rs. 40) and ECG (Rs. 50) are done. Free cataract surgeries and health camps are also conducted.
The success of the Centre is attributed to its permanent volunteers – N.S. Rangarajan, M.K. Prema and S. Venkateshan.
Venkateshan, 41, for instance, has been associated with the centre since the age of 15.
“I was not good at studies but social service interested me and I continue to do it,” says Venkateshan, an employee at Madras ENT Research Foundation.
Rangarajan and Prema are retired employees who spend their evenings for a cause.
For details, contact 28445050.
