‘Five rupee doctor’ in great demand among the poor in Davanagere

DAVANAGERE: A 70-year-old doctor at a Santhebennur village in Channagiri taluk has been charging just Rs 5 for a complete medical checkup for villagers for the past 35 years.

Dr Basavanthappa is well known as ‘Namma doctor’ in the village, and he has dedicated his life to treating poor people in his village. He owns a small clinic in Santhebennur, named ‘Siddeshwara Clinic’, where he treats the poor.

Dr Basavanthappa is well known as ‘Namma doctor’ in Santhebennur.

The doctor has treated patients from more than 40 villages in the district. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, he treated many patients and saved their lives. On some occasions, he has treated patients for free and also offered food and bus fare.

Dr Basavanthappa was born in 1951. He is the second son of Siddappa and Halamma. He completed his MBBS degree from the Government Medical College in Mysuru. Later, in 1987, he started the Siddeshwar Clinic at Santhe Bennur, serving the poor as per his father’s wishes. He earned the reputation of ‘Namma doctor’ in the village as he offered medical services for only Rs 2 for 18 years and for Rs 5 for 10 years.

Dr Basavanthappa was felicitated by Gram Panchayath president Shilpa, along with other villagers, for serving the poor.

“My father always encouraged me to serve the poor and not go after money. For 18 years, my consultation fee was Rs 2, and for the last 10 years, it is Rs 5. I have increased the fee because of the patients’ pressure. Some patients would give me Rs 30–40, and some of them would not pay me. For some patients, I have even provided food and bus fare,” said Dr Basavanthappa.