Kannur, 03 August(HS): Thousands of people in Kannur bade a tearful farewell to Dr A K Rairu Gopal, popularly known as the poor man’s physician and ‘two-rupee doctor’ who breathed his last on Saturday due to age-related ailments. His last rites at Payyambalam beach on Sunday were attended by an unprecedented gathering of people.

The octogenarian medical doctor charged just two rupees from patients who came to consult him and dispensed medicines free of charge to those who could not afford costly medicines. What made him different from other doctors was his approach to the patients.

He treated the patient and not the disease. Dr Gopal gave a lot of love and affection to all his patients and this could be the reason behind their love for him,” said Sukumaran Periyachoor, a former principal of Higher Secondary School and patron of Saparya, Malabar’s leading cultural collective.

Dr Gopal’s day began at 4 am, and he wound up the consultation by 6 pm. He was never for making money as a medical doctor. His simple life style and aversion to ostentatious things in life made him a total outlier. Dr Gopal did not prescribe medicines unless and otherwise it was essential. In most cases, he dispensed drugs from his shelf and did not charge any money for the same. To ensure that his patients do not fall for self-medication, Dr Gopal removed the cover and kept the medicines in specially marked boxes.

He taught his children and others that the profession of medicine is a noble occupation and should not be used to make money out of. “If we want to make money, there are enough avenues other than this profession,”the doctor used to tell his patients and friends. He operated from his own house and worked without availing a single holiday for more than five decades.

The doctor’s residence was a no-go area for medical company representatives and managers who called on other doctors to promote their products. Here was a unique doctor whose only mission was to serve the poor and needy. For him, the science of medicine was a means to help the needy. No late evening parties or tours, or outings. Dr Rairu Gopal’s only concern was the well-being of society. “The profession of medicine got its true meaning through Dr Rairu Gopal, and we will surely miss him for decades to come,” said Sajith, a scribe and former cricketeer.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti