Monday, July 4, 2011

Desire to serve still drives some doctors in India

In these days of crass commercialisation of healthcare, it may be hard to believe that a band of dedicated young doctors is giving up lucrative assignments and even risking their lives to serve in rural areas on a voluntary basis.

You may have never heard of a group called 'Doctors for You' (DFY), but this group created ripples in international medical circles this past week by winning the best 'Medical team in a crisis zone' award leaving behind strong contenders such as Medecins Sans Frontieres and Save the Children. The group got the award for medical relief it offered during the 2008 Kosi floods in Bihar. The award, instituted by publishers of the British Medical Journal celebrates an individual or team that has had an exceptional impact on a crisis situation.
The group deployed 110 of its members who treated 130,000 patients over six months through 300 mobile clinics, district hospitals and camps.