Rupee one clinic saves two lives in three days

After coming to the aid of a 41-year-old heart patient on Saturday, who developed sudden chest pains, the doctors at the one-rupee clinic at railway stations on Monday stepped in to save another life — this time a 31-year-old patient who suffered from a heart attack.

The passenger, Prashant Bhangare, who works with a private company was on his way home in Titwala in the local train when he developed sudden chest pain. "His co-passengers brought him to the one-rupee clinic at the platform number three of the Ghatkopar railway station," said Dr Rahul Ghule, who started these clinics along with his brother.

Dr Pradnya Kharat who was on duty at the clinic at 6.45 pm when the incident occurred did an ECG that revealed that Bhangare was having a heart attack. "She stabilised him before he was shifted to the nearby Rajawadi hospital," Ghule said.

Bhangare was advised an angiography to rule out the possibility of a block in the heart.

On Saturday doctors at the one-rupee clinic at Kurla railway station saved Sameer Mukri, 41, who developed chest pains while travelling in the train. The clinic that offers consultation at a token price of Rs one is currently operational at seven central and harbour stations including Thane and Vashi. There are plans to open a new clinic at Panvel and Mankhurd soon.

TO THE RESCUE

Dr Rahul and Dr Amol Ghule started these Rs 1 clinics with the intention of providing timely medical aid to victims of railway accidents. They also offer diagnostic tests at nominial prices