This doctor’s clinic at a Mumbai railway station charges Re1 as fee, treats hundreds in 48 hours

The 12-hour outpatient ward of the clinic in Ghatkopar has three MBBS doctors and visiting MD specialists

In what has come as respite amid rising medical expenses, a clinic at Mumbai’s Ghatkopar station is treating patients for a fee of Re1.

The clinic, a first-of-its-kind initiative by brothers Dr Rahul and Dr Amol Ghule, was inaugurated on Wednesday and has already attended to hundreds of patients.

The 12-hour outpatient ward of the clinic has three MBBS doctors and visiting MD specialists.

Dr Rahul, former medical officer at Arthur Road Jail and owner of the clinic, said the idea was to offer expert medical advice to people who can’t afford multi- and super-specialty hospitals.

“Government hospitals, too, charge Rs10 for case paper. We are charging Re1 as a symbolic gesture. We are giving 15-20% discount on medicines too,” said Dr Rahul.

The brothers have entered into a contract with the central railway to start 19 clinics at various stations.

The clinics will help provide treatment to accident victims within the crucial golden hour – first hour after an accident.

“It’s important to give primary treatment and stabilise patients before they are moved to hospitals. We will try and attend to as many accident victims as possible to reduce fatalities,” said Dr Rahul.

The brothers had previously come up with doctors on motorbike, where doctors riding pillion on motorbikes provided essential medical care at minimal costs.