She’s a doctor who treats and pays for consultation too

LUDHIANA: Anyone who knows Dr Inderpreet Sohi, a neonatologist of Christian Medical College and Hospital (CMCH), sees her as an epitome of selfless service to the poor and needy patients. The 43-year-old doctor doesn’t wait for poor patients to approach her for help but seeks them out to provide assistance.
Inderpreet, who joined CMCH as an MBBS student and later even did MD in medicine from the institute, said the turning point for her came about six years ago.
‘‘When I joined the neonatology department I became very aware of the poor patients around me who had no money to even pay their bills. It pinched me and I thought over what I could do to help them. So, I approached Dr Britt from United Kingdom and Dr Sunil Paul Raj from Ireland, both associated with the NGO Friends of Ludhiana,’’ she said. Inderpreet added that the duo shell out from their pocket and also collect donations by organizing opera shows to help.
On duty, Inderpreet remains on the lookout for patients struggling to clear their dues at the time of discharge or for patients leaving the treatment mid-way due to cash crunch. ‘‘Then I approach the concerned authorities to offer help. I also try and get free medicines from medical representatives,’’ said Inderpreet.
Shamsher (name changed), an HIV positive patient who knows Inderpreet, is all praise for her. ‘‘She is doing a great service to mankind,’’ he said.