Dr. Srikanta Kumar Padhy: Redefining Healthcare from City to Village

For Dr. Srikanta Kumar Padhy, healthcare has never been confined to a clinic or hospital. His journey has been shaped by a simple belief that quality medical care should reach people regardless of where they live or what they can afford. In rural communities, where distance from hospitals can become a serious barrier, Srikanta believes the doctor sometimes has to go where the patient is.

His work carries a strong community focus. There have been nights when a phone call from a worried family meant leaving home to attend to someone suffering from respiratory problems, asthma related symptoms or pregnancy related concerns. These moments may not appear in medical records, but they remain important parts of his journey. For Srikanta, medicine is a profession, while caring for people is a responsibility.

One of his distinctive ideas is Healthcare on a Bag, a simple concept built around taking essential medical care closer to patients. A medical bag with appropriate basic tools and supplies can help a trained healthcare professional assess a person at home or within the community and decide what care is needed next. His thinking extends further through Healthcare on Wheels, with mobile healthcare services envisioned for villages across South Odisha.

Such services can bring medical consultations, preventive screening, basic diagnostics, women's health programmes, child health care, senior citizen screening, physiotherapy and referral services closer to rural families. Srikanta also places importance on 24×7 healthcare access because illness does not follow office hours.

“Healthcare should not depend on where a person lives, how far they are from a hospital, or how much they can afford.”

The development of Saraswati Multispecialty Clinic in Sheragada, Ganjam forms an important part of this journey. With plans involving diagnostics, pathology, specialty consultations, physiotherapy, dialysis, telemedicine and community healthcare, the clinic seeks to bring more medical services closer to the people.

Srikanta also believes prevention deserves greater attention. Diabetes screening, blood pressure checks, cancer awareness, women's health, child health and early diagnosis can help families act before health problems become severe.

His message extends to young people too. Not everyone can contribute money, but people can give time, knowledge or service. “If you can help, help. If you can teach, teach. If you can serve, serve.”

For Srikanta, the journey is from one patient to one family, one village and eventually a healthier community across South Odisha.