In the quiet town of Gaya, Bihar, a remarkable daily ritual unfolds as dusk settles over Maranpur. Each evening, patients begin gathering outside a modest clinic, awaiting the arrival of a 75-year-old dermatologist whose dedication to service has become legendary in the region.
A Nightly Marathon of Compassionate Care
By 5pm, Dr Sanket Narayan Singh takes his place on a simple wooden chair and begins work that often continues uninterrupted until 4 or 5 the next morning. This nightly marathon of medical service sees him examining approximately 300 patients before he finally leaves the clinic. What makes this routine extraordinary isn't just the hours he keeps, but the revolutionary approach he has taken to healthcare accessibility.
The Revolutionary Fee Structure
Many patients walk out without paying anything at all. Some leave a Rs10 or Rs100 note on the table, with no questions asked about their financial capacity. For Dr Singh, consultation fees represent not a measure of income but a means to sustain service. Those who do pay fall into just two fixed categories – Rs10 and Rs100 – creating one of the most accessible healthcare models in the country.
The collected amount follows a unique distribution system. The money is divided into four equal parts, with three parts immediately channeled back into society. These funds support the poor, finance education initiatives, and cover medical expenses for those who cannot afford treatment. Only one quarter is retained for Dr Singh's basic personal needs and clinic expenses.
"Money has a purpose. It should circulate back to people," Dr Singh explained, articulating the philosophy that has guided his practice for decades.
From Medical Training to Moral Practice
An alumnus of ANMMCH in Gaya, Dr Singh began his medical journey by joining the medical college hospital in 1980. He later served as a medical officer with ESI before making a pivotal decision that would define his career. He resigned from both positions, stating he could not "compromise on his principles." In 1984, he embarked on private practice in Gaya, choosing a more demanding but principled path that has kept service to society at the center of his work ever since.
Beyond the Clinic: A Life of Service
Of the nearly 300 patients he sees daily, approximately 200 are not charged any consultation fee. About 100 elderly and disabled patients receive medicines completely free of charge. Soldiers, policemen, monks, and senior citizens above 75 years old are never asked for payment, reflecting his deep respect for those who serve society and the vulnerable elderly.
His humanitarian work extends far beyond clinic walls. Over the years, Dr Singh has taken responsibility for more than 80 orphaned children, carefully placing each child with different families while maintaining strict confidentiality to safeguard their dignity. He has also funded the education of numerous underprivileged children, including Dr Ramudgar from Gaya's Jamuar area, who completed his entire medical education at ANMMCH with Dr Singh's support and is now a practicing doctor himself.
For three decades, Dr Singh has consistently supported around 100 elderly and disabled individuals in his native village Dumri in Saran district and neighboring panchayats, creating a safety net for those who might otherwise be forgotten.
Personal Hardship, Unwavering Resolve
Dr Singh's personal journey has been marked by significant challenges. Childhood polio left him physically disabled, yet this never diminished his determination to serve others. He later experienced profound personal losses, including the death of his only son, Aditya Narayan, in a road accident, followed by the passing of his wife, Margarita Singh. Despite these tragedies, his commitment to welfare work remained steadfast, with personal grief only strengthening his resolve to help others.
Recognition and Legacy
Bihar assembly Speaker Prem Kumar acknowledged Dr Singh's extraordinary contributions, stating, "Dr Sanket Narayan Singh is a living example of humanity. In an age of commercial medicine, his life reminds us what service truly means."
As healthcare becomes increasingly commercialized across India, Dr Singh's clinic in Gaya stands as a powerful testament to alternative possibilities. His model demonstrates how medical practice can prioritize human need over financial gain, creating ripples of positive change that extend from individual patients to entire communities. The nightly gatherings outside his clinic represent not just a search for medical treatment, but a collective acknowledgment that compassion remains the most powerful medicine of all.
