Dr Shankar Ramchandani: The ‘One Rupee Clinic’ Doctor Who Turned Compassion Into a Mission
By Aadyasha Times | Special Story
From Personal Struggle to a Lifelong Mission of Serving the Poor
In an era when quality healthcare can often feel beyond the reach of economically weaker families, Dr Shankar Ramchandani of Odisha has created a remarkable example of compassion and social responsibility. Known widely for his “One Rupee Clinic”, Dr Ramchandani has made affordable healthcare his mission, earning recognition as a doctor who believes that medicine should serve people—not merely those who can afford it.
Based in Burla, Sambalpur district, Dr Ramchandani is an internal medicine specialist and has been associated with Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR). His unique initiative allows poor and underprivileged patients to seek medical consultation for just ₹1.
Why Does a Doctor Charge Only One Rupee?
For Dr Ramchandani, the ₹1 consultation fee is much more than a symbolic amount.
He has explained that he charges one rupee because he does not want poor patients to feel that they are receiving charity. Even a nominal payment gives patients the feeling that they have paid for their treatment and are receiving healthcare with dignity.
That simple idea has become the foundation of a healthcare initiative that has touched thousands of lives.
A Dream Born From Family Hardship
Behind Dr Ramchandani’s extraordinary service lies a deeply personal story.
According to source, Dr Ramchandani grew up in a large family where his father, Brahmanand Ramchandani, was the sole breadwinner. His father ran a small stationery shop while supporting a family of 32 members.
The family also experienced the devastating consequences of poverty when his grandfather and uncle died of cancer because the family could not afford the expenses associated with travel and treatment.
Those experiences left a lasting impression on the young Shankar and helped shape his determination to become a doctor and make healthcare accessible to poor families.
From Financial Difficulties to Medical Excellence
Dr Ramchandani’s own educational journey was not easy.
He has recalled that financial difficulties meant he could not always afford textbooks and had to depend on books passed down by seniors. Despite these challenges, he secured second rank in Odisha in the medical entrance examination, eventually pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor.
His story demonstrates that personal hardship can sometimes become the strongest motivation to create change for others.
The Birth of the One Rupee Clinic
The One Rupee Clinic in Burla was started in February 2021 with the objective of providing affordable medical consultation and medicines to people who struggle to access conventional healthcare.
Initially, the clinic was established in the Kachha Market area of Burla and operated outside Dr Ramchandani’s regular working hours. The initiative was particularly aimed at poor people, elderly citizens, persons with disabilities and others who might otherwise have difficulty accessing timely medical consultation.
The response was overwhelming.
The initiative eventually expanded beyond consultation, with one-rupee medicine and ECG services also being introduced. The report said the clinic had served more than 60,000 patients.
More Than a Clinic—A Message of Dignity
What makes Dr Ramchandani’s initiative different is not simply the ₹1 fee.
It is the philosophy behind it.
For many poor families, visiting a doctor can involve consultation fees, medicine costs, transportation expenses and lost working hours. By reducing the financial barrier to medical consultation, the One Rupee Clinic attempts to make basic healthcare more accessible to people who might otherwise postpone treatment.
The initiative therefore represents a broader message: healthcare should not become a privilege reserved for the financially powerful.
A Doctor Who Serves Beyond Duty Hours
Dr Ramchandani’s commitment to underprivileged people has also been highlighted through incidents outside his clinic.
He previously attracted public attention after carrying a leprosy patient to the patient’s home. He also reportedly went beyond his duty hours to assist a COVID-19 patient and transported the patient to VIMSAR in his own car during the pandemic.
These incidents reinforced the image of a doctor whose service extends beyond the boundaries of a hospital or consulting room.
‘Doctor of the Masses, Not the Classes’
One phrase associated with Dr Ramchandani’s philosophy captures the essence of his work:
“Doctor of the masses, not the classes.” is more than a slogan. His One Rupee Clinic has become an example of how medical professionals can combine professional knowledge with social responsibility.
The Mission Continues Beyond Burla
Dr Ramchandani’s service is not restricted to Burla. He also established another clinic for poor people in his native Padampur, which he visits periodically.
His work demonstrates how one person’s decision to make healthcare affordable can develop into a wider movement of community service.
A One-Rupee Revolution in Healthcare
The story of Dr Shankar Ramchandani and his One Rupee Clinic is ultimately not about one rupee.
It is about human dignity, compassion and the belief that a person’s financial condition should not determine whether they deserve medical attention.
At a time when society often measures success through wealth and status, Dr Ramchandani offers a different definition of success: using one’s knowledge and profession to make another person’s life a little easier.
His journey from a financially challenged childhood to becoming a doctor serving thousands of economically weaker patients is a powerful reminder that the greatest impact of education may be created when it is returned to society.
