In 2009, a young Dr Ravinder Chowkidaar faced a crisis: his father had been diagnosed with lung cancer, and the treatment costs were overwhelming. Chemotherapy was priced at Rs 25,000 per round, and vital medication cost Rs 15,000 a strip. Desperate, he turned to his colleagues for help.
This struggle opened his eyes to the challenges faced by countless others without financial resources. The realisation sowed the seeds of a lifelong mission: to make healthcare accessible.
Despite hardships, kind strangers supported his education, inspiring him to dedicate his life to serving others. In 2009, he established the ‘Sushruta Foundation’ in Thurputhanda, Telangana to provide affordable healthcare.
“No one should die because of poor economic conditions,” says the surgeon, who waives his fees for patients in need and conducts free medical camps every Sunday.
In his early years as a medical officer, Dr Ravinder saw the hardships faced by daily wage workers. He once came across an agricultural labourer who travelled 60 km for surgery, losing a day’s wages, only to be told to return the following week.
In 2016, he established Sushruta Hospital, offering surgeries at a quarter of market costs. “What costs lakhs outside is done at almost one-fourth the cost here. The medical care and quality of surgeons is the same,” he says.
Aleem, a villager, recalls how his sister required a hysterectomy but couldn’t afford treatment at private hospitals. He says that Dr Ravinder performed the surgery entirely free of charge, only requesting payment for a unit of blood needed for the procedure.
Beyond surgeries, Dr Ravinder educates villagers about healthcare. “My father chewed tobacco. I want to spread awareness about such harmful habits, so people lead healthier lives,” he says.
The foundation is also sponsoring education for medical students, with four students each receiving Rs 1 lakh this year. Members, including Dr Ravinder, contribute 20% of their monthly earnings to fund surgeries and purchase advanced medical equipment.