A POOR MAN’S DOCTOR
(Koka Ahobala Rao Naidu)
J. V. Ratnam
Doctors are
supposed to be the saviours of life. Medical profession demands devotion and
requires commitment. Years ago, there were such noble doctors whose primary concern
was the well-being of their patients but not the fees. In those days there was
no multi-drug therapy. With simple medical treatment and nutritious diet
prescriptions, doctors used to nurse their patients back to good health. A look
of relief on the faces of their patients was the only reward they would expect.
Dr. Koka Ahobala Rao belongs to that tribe of doctors whose motto was ‘service’
and nothing else. He never prescribed costly medicines and unnecessary tests.
During the
pre-independence days, only four people used to have horse drawn coaches in
Bandar, the present head quarters town of Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh. It
is now re-designated as Machilipatnam. They were the noted freedom fighter. Dr.
Bhogaraju Pattabhisitaramaiah, Udayagiri Gopala Ratnam, Dr. Koka Ahobala Rao
Naidu and Balaraju Rao Naidu. Dr. Ahobala Rao Naidu was a well-known physician.
Every day, he used to go on his own coach to visit his patients. Taking the
reins in his hand and also ringing the bell, he would drive his coach, while
the coach driver used to run after the vehicle to keep pace with it. That was
really a sight to see! He was a handsome person with moustache and curly hair.
Dr. Ahobala
Rao was known as the doctor of oranges (Oranges-doctor). After returning from
England, he started a special kind of treatment. He used to prescribe milk,
bread and oranges, as the diet for his patients. So oranges were sold like hot
cakes in the market. He even allowed the patients to eat mango pickles, sugar
cane and such unorthodox diet, when people thought that they were poison. In
those days the cost of the medicine was very low and wouldn’t exceed a few
annas. But money has purchasing power but poor people could not afford to buy
medicines. He used to take fees only from the rich, whatever they gave.
As a boy,
Ravuru Satyanarayana Rao, the noted journalist, suffered from stomach pain and
went to Dr. Ahobala Rao for treatment. The doctor prescribed some medical
powder and advised him to take rest for a day. His trouble subsided with that
simple medicine. The next day, when he went to see the doctor, he smiled at the
young Ravuru and patting him on his cheek affectionately advised him to stop
eating pakodas and prescribed bread for breakfast. That was how Ravuru got into
the habit of taking bread for breakfast. Even in his old age, whenever he had
temptation to eat pakodas he used to think of Dr. Ahobala Rao and successfully
resisted the temptation. The doctor had a private word and a special smile for
every patient. He was fond of children. He had sense of humour.
In those days
doctors were literary men and social workers. One evening Ravuru went to the
doctor along with Dasika Sambasiva Rao, a writer and advocate. In those days
literary-meetings used to be held at Dr. Ahobala Rao’s house. Stalwarts like
Dasika, Pingali Lakshmi Kantam, Katuri, Krovi Satyanarayana and others used to
attend those meetings and discussions. Dr. Ahobala Rao Naidu encouraged Pingali
Lakshmi Kantam (who later became a Professor and famous writer) to do his M.A.
in Telugu literature. Pingali was only a high school teacher then.
When the
freedom movement in the country picked up momentum, Doctor Naidu joined the
movement and began to wear Khadi. He became a disciple of Gandhiji. Doctor
Naidu participated in the historic flag hoisting event at Bandar Chowk.
Carrying a big spinning wheel on his shoulder he enthusiastically participated
in a big procession. It was quite an unforgettable event in his life. Had he
continued in politics, he would have easily become a great national leader with
his popularity. But he decided to confine himself to be a doctor with exemplary
devotion to his duty. Service to the poor was the motto of his life. He was
known for his generosity and charity.
In those days
people would relate anecdotes about his generosity. Once he gave treatment to a
poor man. After a few days, he recovered completely from his aliment. One day
the patient’s wife brought some money to him towards his fees. Dr. Ahobala Rao
Naidu, was surprised at this and immediately looked at her neck with some
suspicion. He found the sacred mangala sutra missing. He insisted on her
telling the truth. Then she told him that it was sold away to pay the doctor’s
fees. He was deeply moved at this and tears streamed down his eyes. Then he
enquired about the shop where it was sold and sent his servant to get back the
gold chain and restored it to the woman. He was happy only after she wore it
again in his presence. How many doctors today are so kind and considerate
towards the poor?
This is only
a sample of his generosity. On another occasion when a poor woman went to
consult him, he gave not only prescription free of charge but also Ra. 5/- from
his pocket to enable her to but medicines. There were many such delicate and
memorable incidents in his life. People who know him well, may even write a
book about him, which would in turn speak of the socio-cultural history of the
then Bandar. He was the doctor for Pattabhi’s family.
Doctor Koka Ahobala Rao Naidu
was a noted physician, a great patriot and a gentle man. Although he was a
popular doctor, he died penniless. Hundreds of people followed his funeral
procession out of love and devotion.