The Better India · 304 days ago

Why Dr Rahman Quit Delhi’s Elite Hospitals to Treat Underprivileged Patients in Bihar’s Heartland

Dr. S M Ziaur Rahman traded the allure of a lucrative career in Delhi for a deeper calling in his hometown of Khagaria, Bihar, where healthcare remains a scarce, precious lifeline. His journey back was sparked by the poignant encounter with a fellow Bihari patient in Delhi, whose arduous journey for treatment underscored the stark inequalities in healthcare access. Driven by childhood memories of humiliation due to poverty and inspired by familial encouragement and prophetic blessings from a teacher, Dr. Rahman founded the National Medicare Hospital & Research Centre in Khagaria. Here, he treats patients at minimal cost, often absorbing the fees himself, finding fulfillment not in wealth but in community bonds and gratitude expressed through gifts of local produce. His story embodies the belief that "respect from peers and smiles from patients" surpass material wealth, offering a contemplative reflection on the values of service over self-interest.