Rajshahi physician charges Tk 1 per visit

MBBS graduate Dr Sumaiya Binte Mozammel of Rajshahi charges a patient Tk 1 for a visit.

According to Sumaiya, the money is not for a visitation fee, but rather for her humanitarian non-profit organisation.

Sumaiya recently graduated from Islami Bank Medical College, Rajshahi and after completing her internship set up the chamber at her father’s pharmacy in Rajshahi’s Shaheb Bazar area. Her visitation hours are Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 1 pm.

She said her father Mir Mozammel Ali initially encouraged her to see patients for free.

After completing HSC in 2015, Sumaiya wanted to follow in the footsteps of her two elder sisters and become a doctor. She got admitted as an MBBS student at a private medical college.

Currently, she is also employed at a private medical clinic and sees patients at her father’s drugstore during her free time. She is also currently preparing to sit for the BCS exam.

In between her job, exam preparation and also being a mother of two boys, Sumaiya makes time to consult patients for free at her chamber.

The pharmacy adjacent to her father's house has now become her consultation chamber for about a month now. The idea was originally her father’s, she said. About 25-30 patients visit her for medical consultation daily.

“I found my organisation during the height of the pandemic. The idea is to help the underprivileged fulfil their five basic needs of food, clothing, housing, education and health care,” she said.

According to her, some of the organisation’s voluntary work includes distributing warm clothes during winter, distributing food, providing financial support to small businesses, helping people find employment opportunities, providing regular food assistance to some distressed families, and providing sustenance to orphan children.

The visitation fee she charges is to support the cause of her organisation.

Sumaiya further said, “I already have a job, so if I am able, it is only natural to want to help out those in need. I want to continue this free treatment initiative for as long as possible.”

“Even if I have to move to another place in the future, I will find time to come here and provide consultation to the patients. My family has been supportive of my initiative and I am happy to get this opportunity to help,” she added.

Sumaiya's father, Mir Mozammel Ali, a teacher at Shaheed Kamaruzzaman Government Degree College in Rajshahi, said, “I have always hoped my children will work to serve the people and now they are achieving my dream. Some money-hungry doctors have given the profession a bad name, I hope that my daughter's initiative will help alleviate that.”

A patient named Asma Begum who came for consultation said, “I found out about this through social media and came for a visit. The doctor listened to my problems and prescribed me medicine for just Tk one. It is indeed a commendable initiative.

Acting Principal of Islami Bank Medical College Professor Dr Sanaul Haque Miah said, “Sumaiya’s initiative is commendable and can be a source of inspiration for the young generation. I hope more people in this profession will come forward to help those in need.”