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Dr. Ruopfükolhu Dolie, Medical Officer PHC Botsa.[/caption]
Atono Tsükrü
Kohima, April 3 (EMN): It is rightly said that medical profession is all about compassion, altruism and credibility as they serve the humanity through restoration of patients’ health and give quality of life.
Of late, much has been debated and written about the lack of dedication by professionals in the field of medicine in the state. While many doctors are found doing lucrative business in the towns rather than in their place of posting, there are some handful of dedicated doctors - ‘unknown and unheard’ to the people- who are quietly serving the needy community in remote corners of the state.
One such among the few is Dr. Ruopfükolhu Dolie, Medical Officer (NHM) of Primary Health Centre, Botsa village. His dedication to the service is best known by the community.
‘Despite indifferent attitude from the government, the doctor gives his best to the community and often goes out of his way to help the needy patients even from neighbouring villages,’ said a villager.
‘He is available for us 24/7 - be it day or night. He even goes to neighbouring villages to pick up sick people, who are too poor to afford the travel expenses and treat them free of cost,’ said another villager.
It was told that apart from his official duty, which he does with utmost sincerity and dedication, Dr. Dolie has spearheaded numerous community works in the village by bringing positive changes.
To devote full time service, the doctor has brought his wife and two children to his place of posting. The villagers testified that he is on call even on Sundays and that he never refused to see any patient.
This young doctor has to his credit the Phom Day Award for the ‘Best Medical Professionalism Award’ during the State Road show held at Longleng from July 6-7, 2009. The inscription on the certificated stated: ‘Whose earnestness, generosity and devotion in fostering health and medical care for the community is immensely commendable.’
Into the 10th year of medical profession, Dr. Dolie has willingly accepted his profession as a ‘mission’ to serve the downtrodden and the lesser lots of the humanity in the remote corners of the state.
Dr. Dolie completed his MBBS from Jiwaji University in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in 2005 and later served in Makunda Mission Hospital, Assam, for some few years. He was first posted as medical officer of Longleng district hospital in October 2008 where served for one and half year when he was conferred with the prestigious award the following year.
He was later transferred to Touphema in 2010 and had served for two years and on request by the villagers, he was retained at PHC Botsa village serving for the last five years. Since then, about 12 villages viz. Botsa, Seiyhama, Seiyha Basa, Tsiemekhuma, Tsiemekhu Basa, Teichüma, Teichü Basa, Chiechama, Nachama, Tuophema, Gariphema, Gariphe Basa, Sendenyu, Terogunyu, Henbeji and Rümesinyu were benefitted through his service.
Talking to Eastern Mirror, Dr. Dolie feels that he is not doing anything extraordinary except for his commitment and dedication in the service of the people.
‘I believe that a doctor’s profession is not only about diagnosing a sickness and prescribing medicines, but the best thing we can offer is love, care and comfort,’ said Dr. Dolie. He lamented that sincerity in medical profession is still found wanting among many doctors in the state.
PHC Botsa constructed in 1979 is in a dilapidated condition requiring immediate major repairing of the building and electrification which are outdated. Dr. Dolie was said to have cleared the thick jungles all by himself, gave facelift to the centre by planting flowers and trees and also repaired and renovated the building to its presentable form.
As fund allocation from the government is meagre, Dr. Dolie often had to manage the expenses of the centre from his own pocket in repairing and procuring medicines. And yet, he is not even complaining!
Though his job seems to be challenging at times, Dr. Dolie expressed his love for the villagers, who in return loved and cared for his family. Dr. Dolie said he loves to be among the village people. According to him, the close affinity he manages to build with them was what he loved most.
The young doctor cheerfully said he always find joy and satisfaction from the fruits of hard labour, which gives him the opportunity to inculcate the virtues of patience, love and care to his patients.
Wherever he goes, Dr. Dolie gains the respect and love of the people solely through his honesty, compassion, strong work ethic, professionalism, humility and a passion to serve the people without any qualms.
He has set the perfect example of a good doctor and making a difference in the lives of not only his patients but to the whole Nagas.