VIMSAR doctor couple launches free clinic for slum dwellers

Sambalpur: Being committed to the noble cause of helping the needy, the doctor couple attached to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla has arranged a free clinic for slum dwellers in the Samleipadar area of the city.

The initiative was taken by Dr Sanjeeb Mishra, a 36-year-old doctor who is currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Community Medicine at VIMSAR, and his wife Dr Gitarani  Choubey, a 34-year-old medical professional who is also a senior resident doctor in Forensic Medicine there. 

The area where Dr Sanjee resides has many slums. Daily wage workers make up the majority of those who live in these slums. They rely on public hospitals to meet their medical needs. Due to the constant pressure of patients, visiting government hospitals for doctor consultations takes a lot of time. The doctor pointed out that these workers depend on their daily wage to maintain their daily livelihood and sometimes they have to lose a day's worth of wage as they have to keep waiting in hospital.  

Dr Sanjeeb informed The New Indian Express, "We were planning to provide free medical services to the needy and underprivileged residents of these slums. Eventually, my wife Gita suggested that we start a clinic for them. I believe the free clinic will be a convenient alternative for slum dwellers to receive consultations without spending the entire day or money. My wife will also assist me in the clinic which will remain open for patients in the evening from Monday to Saturday."

Dr Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra completed MBBS from VSS Medical College & Hospital in 2012. After that, he worked as a Medical Officer at a Primary health centre for 5 years. Then he joined his Masters's program in Community Medicine at VIMSAR in July 2017. Completed the course in July 2020 and joined as a Tutor. He has been trained in Infodemic Management by WHO & CDC, in implementation research by WHO-TDR, and in Disaster risk reduction by UNDRR. Dr Gitarani's area of expertise includes Forensic Medicine and Epidemiology. She has contributed to a number of highly indexed journals. She also contributed to a paper to make people aware of the incidences of suicide in western Odisha. 

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