Eighty-year-old 'Two-Rupee Doctor,' AK Rairu Gopal, passes away in Kerala.
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For over five decades, Dr. AK Rairu Gopal, affectionately known as Kerala's "Two-Rupee Doctor," operated a small clinic from his home in Kannur. His dedication to providing affordable, compassionate medical care to the underprivileged touched countless lives, earning him widespread community respect and numerous accolades.
Dr. Gopal's clinic was a beacon of hope for the underprivileged, with queues forming outside his home long before dawn. For many years, he charged a consultation fee of just Rs 2, a nominal fee that earned him his enduring nickname. No patient was ever turned away due to financial constraints, and Dr. Gopal treated up to 300 people a day.
His compassionate approach extended beyond low fees. Dr. Gopal often began seeing patients as early as 3 AM to accommodate daily wage laborers and students. He provided free medicines to those who couldn't afford them and refused to prescribe costly drugs or engage with pharmaceutical companies. He believed that healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
Dr. Gopal's dedication earned him Kerala’s Best Family Doctor award from the Indian Medical Association and widespread community respect. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described him as "the people's doctor."
Dr. Gopal passed away on a Saturday in August 2025 at the age of 80 due to age-related illness. His funeral took place on Sunday at Payyambalam, marking the community's farewell to a man who proved that healing is a service, not a business.
Dr. Gopal's legacy lives on, celebrated as one of selfless service, love, and sacrifice. His story shows the transformative power of accessible healthcare in Kerala.
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- Dr. Gopal's dedication to affordable and compassionate medical care could serve as a model for global healthcare systems, reemphasizing that healing is indeed a service, rooted in love and sacrifice, rather than a business.
