Bongaigaon physician Dr Rubel Ahmed conducts weekly medical camps and offers free consultations and discounts on medicines and tests to help poor families struggling with healthcare costs
NEW DELHI — For many, childhood dreams remain mere words written in school notebooks. For Dr Rubel Ahmed, a physician from Assam, a promise he made as a student has become his daily reality.
Serving at Bongaigaon Civil Hospital, Dr Ahmed has been providing free medical services to poor and needy patients for the last two years in memory of his late parents. Through this initiative, hundreds of families in and around Bongaigaon — a major industrial and commercial hub in western Assam — have received medical support at a time when many find it difficult to afford treatment and medicines.
As a school student, Dr Ahmed often wrote in essays on “The Aim of My Life” that he wanted to become a doctor and serve humanity. Years later, he is fulfilling that dream.
“Whenever I wrote an essay on the aim of my life in high school, I always said I wanted to become a doctor. I also wrote that I would serve humanity, provide free treatment to the poor and help others through my profession. Today, when I can do this work, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and emotional happiness. My mother also wanted me to become a doctor,” Dr Ahmed said.
Every Thursday, after completing his duties at the government hospital, Dr Ahmed organises a free medical camp at the Assam Medicine Centre in Dhantola Bazaar, Bongaigaon. Patients who attend receive medical advice without paying any consultation fee. The initiative is being supported by a volunteer organisation, Drishti.
Around 50 to 80 patients benefit from each weekly camp. In addition, Dr Ahmed provides free consultations to 15 to 20 patients every day at his clinic in Maj Gaon, near Bongaigaon Medical College. He also offers a 20 per cent discount on diagnostic tests and a 10 per cent discount on medicines.
Speaking about his reason for starting the service, Dr Ahmed said, “I belong to the Satra area of Bongaigaon. I became a doctor because of the love, prayers and support of the people of this area. I cannot help everyone financially, but through my profession, I want to serve people. My wish is that poor people should get quality healthcare without worrying about money. I have dedicated this service to my late parents and I will continue it throughout my life.”
Dr Ahmed’s own journey has been shaped by struggle. His father, Rahmanuddin Ahmed, died while he was young. After his father’s death, his mother, Rupjan Begum, raised him and supported his education despite difficult circumstances. He also lost his mother some time ago.
Coming from a financially weak family, Dr Ahmed faced several challenges during his student years. When he appeared for his higher secondary examination, his family home did not even have electricity. These experiences helped him understand the difficulties faced by poor families in rural areas.
“I know what it feels like to struggle. The difficulties I faced during my education made me understand the problems of ordinary people. This is one of the reasons I want to support those who cannot afford treatment,” he said.
Talking about his medical career, Dr Ahmed said, “I completed my MBBS from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in 2014. After that, I worked as Chief Emergency Medical Officer at Nemcare Hospital. Later, I served at a government hospital in Dhubri district under the National Health Mission. In January 2021, I joined Bongaigaon Civil Hospital, where I am still working.”
For Dr Ahmed, being a doctor is not only about treating patients but also about serving society.
“If we spend our entire life only running after money, then when will we work for people? I only want to use my medical knowledge for the benefit of others. The money patients save on consultation fees can be used to buy better medicines. If an extremely poor patient comes to me, I am ready to buy medicines for them from my own pocket,” he said.
Dr Ahmed began this service as a tribute to his late parents. His initiative has now become a source of support for poor families from seven to eight villages around Dhantola and nearby areas.
Locals are all praise for Dr Ahmed’s efforts and describe his free medical service as an example of care and responsibility towards society. For many poor patients, his weekly camps and free consultations have provided support at a time when healthcare costs continue to rise.
