Bangalore:Medical camp in support of imprisoned doctor

The Hindu -26th April 2008
Bangalore, Staff reporter

Instead of sloganeering and rhetoric, groups of doctors across the country hit upon the idea of organising free medical camps to express their opposition against the imprisonment of human rights activist Binayak Sen.

To highlight what they termed an unfair arrest, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as People’s health movement and Medico Friends Circle organised one such camp at LR Nagar in Koramangala here on Friday.

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Dr. Sen, vice-president of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), was arrested at Bilaspur in Chattisgarh in May 2007, on the charge of being linked to naxalites. Dr. Sen is known for his work among the poor. He is credited with setting up a unique 400 bed hospital run by a workers cooperative in a backward area of Chattisgarh.

Two of the six doctors at the camp, N. Devadasan and his wife Rupa, both public health specialists, were associates of Dr Sen. Dr Devadasan is a fellow alumni from CMC, Vellore.

“We were shocked when we heard of his arrest because he is a very gentle person and one who does not believe in violence. Associating him with naxalites seems illogical,” said Dr Devadasan. “To a person such as Dr Sen, it will not matter if his patient is a naxalite or a capitalist, because it would be his primary duty as a doctor to save anyone he can, ” he said.

“He is always humble, always simple. Never a very vocal person, Dr Sen was always action-oriented,” said SJ Chander, a social scientist and member of the People’s Health Movement.

The camp was inaugurated by Hassan Mansoor, State convenor for the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, and popular comedian Sriram, both of whom sought prevention of abuse of human rights in all forms.

Referring to people arriving for the camp, activist P. Robert said, “This stream will keep up the whole day. Consultation and medication will be provided for as long as possible. Such aid is also provided in many Free Binayak Clinics that have been set up throughout the country.”

Renukamma, a resident said, “Going to normal clinics cost us at least Rs 200 in consultation and medication charges. So the free camp means a lot to us.”

This camp will be held next month at the same venue. Local people have offered to contribute to such camps.

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