Sambalpur: Shankar Ramchandani, an assistant professor in the department of medicine at VIMSAR, has expanded his low cost healthcare services under his One Rupee initiative with the launch of a dental clinic at Burla in Odisha’s Sambalpur.
The dental clinic is being managed by his wife Dr Sikha Ramchandani, a dentist who earlier served at Divisional Railway Hospital in Sambalpur and left her job six years ago to take care for their daughters. She had invested Rs 3 lakh from her savings to set up the clinic near VIMSAR in the town to extend affordable oral care. It operates for three hours every morning, providing fillings, extractions, and cleanings.
“My husband has been serving the poor. I was inspired by him to launch the clinic since dental care is often out of reach for the poor,” said Dr Sikha, a BDS graduate from Dr MGR Medical University, Chennai.
It was in 2021 that Dr Shankar opened a “One Rupee” clinic to provide treatment to the poor and underprivileged people beyond duty hour. The clinic remains open every evening from 6 pm to 8 pm. “My wife joining this mission to serve the poor is heartening,” he said.
