Inspiring doctors-Dr.Hemalatha, ‘akka'(elder sister) to her patients
Dr Nomula Hemalatha is someone who made a desire she had as a child a reality in adulthood- the desire to serve the poorest of the rural community.
The doctor has now been helping people for over 4 decades in the village of Vavilala in Telengana- a village that’s not just tucked away in the inner-regions of the state but also one which used to be a Naxalite bastion.
Sticking to her desire to serve the people
Dr Nomula herself is a native of another Telengana village -one called Illandakunta. It was in 1965 that she joined the MBBS course from Osmania University. It was a time when MBBS graduates would get a government job immediately after completion of the course.
However, keeping in tune with her long-standing desire she preferred starting a private clinic so that she could serve the poor. She did so in 1973- naming the clinic ‘Raghava Nursing Home.’ The name was inspired by the presiding deity Lord Rama of the temple in her native village.
While rural India was (and is) not favored by doctors because of the limited infrastructure and perks, Dr Nomula went against the grain, forsaking such things as career growth. The doctor is affectionately called ‘Akka’(elder sister) by the villagers.
No power supply, but still there is care
In the initial days of her medical practice, there used to be no power supply in the village. However, the doctor didn’t let that prevent her from treating the poor. Not surprisingly, roads and transport facilities were absent as well, meaning that people had to cross rivulets, sometimes daring hostile weather conditions so they could reach the clinic to avail treatment.
Villagers consider Dr Nomula as someone with ‘blessed hands to cure’ as she has cured many who come to see her even from places far from the village. Having babies delivered at the clinic is also considered safe by the people.
The doctor is now in her 70s. These days, she charges just Rs 50 as consultation fees. But back when she started the practice, it was just Rs. 1. And when the Naxalite movement was at its strongest, many injured Naxalites too sought treatment at the clinic. The doctor provided them with the necessary care and medicines. This meant that the police also gave her a few visits to question her.
As per the doctor, the reason why she took up medical practice in the village was that no one was willing to serve the people at the time. Feeling proud and excited at her practice over the decades, the doctor continues her work for the people.
Image credits: thehindu.com