A Village Doctor
A village doctor is a very familiar figure in rural Bangladesh. He is usually known as a quack, as he is not formally qualified. Yet, he earns great popularity due to his friendly behavior and benevolent service to the suffering villagers in times of need. Serving the sick becomes a noble mission in his life.
A village doctor typically gains his medical knowledge through experience, often by working as a compounder or assistant to a qualified doctor. He usually opens a small dispensary attached to his house, where he sees patients in the morning and evening. He treats people for a small fee, and often treats the very poor without charging anything. He even visits patients at their homes, regardless of time or personal inconvenience.
He has no assistant or compounder — he dispenses medicines himself and looks after his patients with sincere care. Sometimes, he stays by the bedside of a seriously ill patient all night. However, as he is not a qualified doctor and is generally poor, he cannot afford modern furniture or stock expensive medicines. As a result, he may fail to treat serious illnesses properly. Sometimes, due to a lack of medical knowledge, he may even prescribe the wrong medicine, leading to dangerous consequences.
Despite these limitations, a village doctor plays a crucial role in rural areas where qualified doctors are scarce. Most villagers are poor and cannot afford treatment from a licensed doctor. In such circumstances, the village doctor becomes an essential and valuable part of rural life.
In conclusion, a village doctor is not only a medical caregiver but also a great friend and well-wisher of the village people. His contribution, though imperfect, is deeply appreciated and often indispensable.
