Come to Melghat to serve & be the change, says Dr Kolhe

Nagpur: Bairagarh in Melghat is known for the change it witnessed due to the three decades of dedicated service by Padma Shri Dr Ravindra and Dr Smita Kolhe. While celebrating Doctor’s Day on Monday, Indian Medical Association (IMA) Nagpur branch held an interactive session with Dr Ravindra. Answering questions from Dr Prakash Deo and Dr Sanjay Deshpande, Dr Kolhe revealed how Bairagarth saw a transformation in last 30 years.
“While working in tribal regions, doctors must know how to deliver a baby without the facility of sonography or blood transfusion, how to diagnose pneumonia without an X-ray and how to cure diarrhoea. With these skills, I earned the respect of tribal people,” he said.
“As there was no other person in village to guide them, I studied agriculture at Panjabrao Deshmukh Krushi Vidyapeeth, Akola. PDKV scientists offered a fungus resistant variety of gram. But as villagers were not willing to sow it, we started farming it at our own field,” he recalled.
Apart from health, Dr Kolhe couple organized camps for youths to raise awareness about new farming techniques. “Today, there is a motorable road to reach Bairagarh. We have electricity and cell phones. I appeal to the doctors as well as common people to come over, serve here and be the change,” he said.
The interactive session was followed by felicitation of senior doctors. GMCH dean Dr Sajal Mitra, Dr Arun Amle, Dr Nutan Deo, IGGMCH dean Dr Ajay Keoliya, Dr Jeevan Vedi, Dr Amit Samarth, Dr Kajal Mitra, Dr Diwakar Bhoyar, superintendent of police (CID) Ranjankumar Sharma, journalist Anand Kasture and social worker Madhubhau Barapatre were feted. Dr Shivkumar Utture, president of Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), was the chief guest. Ex- IMA President Dr Ashok Adhao presided over.
IMA Nagpur chief Dr Kush Jhunjhunwala said IMA had launched a mobile application for members. “This app will ensure welfare of members. We also released our quarterly news bulletin ‘Intimate’,” he said.
Secretary Dr Manjusha Giri informed that IMA has organized a blood donation camp on July 3 and appealed to people to participate in it.