02/06/2026
Ramesh Namasudra (name changed), a resident of Dharmanagar, was diagnosed with cancer.
He was undergoing treatment at Cachar Cancer Hospital in Silchar. The repeated travel between Dharmanagar and Silchar, along with accommodation, food, and medical expenses, had left him completely destitute.
In 2008, after receiving his final dose of treatment, when the doctor was about to write down the next appointment date, Ramesh broke down in tears. With folded hands, he pleaded, “Please don’t give me another date.” His wife, too, had tears in her eyes.
The doctor asked what the problem was.
Ramesh, a 45-year-old daily wage laborer, replied, “I didn’t even want to come this time. How can I keep coming? I haven’t been able to work for so long!”
To pay for his treatment, Ramesh had sold everything he owned. Only his house remained, but he had not found a buyer. So, to gather money for this visit to the hospital, he had mortgaged his seven-year-old son to a local man for ₹5,000. He planned to sell his house after returning home and then free his son.
The doctor could not remain unmoved after hearing this. He immediately called the hospital’s Chief Administrative Officer, Kalyan Chakraborty, and instructed him to give Ramesh ₹5,000. He also assured him that all further treatment would be completely free.
However, another concern remained: even if the money was returned, would the man release the child immediately during the working season? He might keep the boy working for some time.
The doctor then contacted Amitava Dutta, the then MLA of Dharmanagar. Through his intervention, Ramesh’s son was rescued and brought back.
That day, the doctor realized that prescribing medicines alone was not enough. A doctor must also know whether a patient can afford those medicines. If not, arrangements must be made to ensure that treatment remains accessible.
Ramesh’s story brought significant changes to the healthcare system run by the Society.
The hospital began maintaining detailed patient records, including personal or alternative contact numbers. If a patient failed to appear on the scheduled date, the hospital would call to find out why. Identifying and resolving the problem, and ensuring that the patient returned for treatment, became part of the hospital’s responsibility.
The people of Silchar formed the Cachar Cancer Hospital Society through community contributions and donations.
Today, that very doctor serves as its Director.
Dr. Ravi Kannan arrived in Silchar from Chennai in 2006.
Although exact figures are unavailable, many estimate that Dr. Kannan has performed complex cancer surgeries on more than 7,000 patients without charging them a single rupee.
Even today, the salary he receives from the Society is no higher than that of a government MBBS doctor.
This year, he was awarded the Padma Shri.
Dr. Kannan, however, believes that it was Ramesh who truly earned him the Padma Shri.
Source: Anandabazar Patrika
From: Udayan Bandyopadhyay
