the times of india news

Doctors Pledge Two Hours a Week for Free Healthcare to Poor and Underprivileged Patients A Step Towards Making Specialist Healthcare More Accessible In a significant initiative to improve access to specialist healthcare, 27 doctors from across Delhi have pledged two hours of free consultation every week for poor and underprivileged patients. The volunteer initiative, “2 Ghante Desh Ke Naam,” brings together specialists from multiple medical fields, including ophthalmology, oncology, orthopaedics, psychiatry, paediatrics, cardiology, gynaecology and general medicine. The initiative aims to reduce the barriers that prevent economically disadvantaged patients from receiving timely specialist medical advice. Free Consultations Across Multiple Specialities Under the initiative, participating doctors will offer consultations through two hospitals and two clinics, along with telemedicine services for patients living in remote and underserved areas. The programme is being supported collectively by participating hospitals and clinics. Each participating institution is voluntarily contributing doctors’ time and infrastructure rather than relying on a single central funding agency. The initiative is particularly intended to help people from low-income families, rural communities and urban slums, where the cost of treatment or limited access to specialists can often result in delayed medical care. Supporting Patients Beyond Consultation The initiative will not be limited to consultations. Doctors will also provide treatment guidance and follow-up advice wherever required. Patients can register with participating specialists through dedicated contact numbers for each speciality. After screening, patients will be scheduled for consultations. The telemedicine component will also help patients from smaller towns and villages connect with specialists without having to travel long distances. Dr. Ikeda Lal Highlights the Importance of Timely Eye Care Ophthalmology is one of the specialities participating in this initiative. Dr. Ikeda Lal, Senior Ophthalmologist and Medical Director, Delhi Eye Centre, highlighted the importance of making timely eye care accessible to people who may otherwise struggle to receive specialist treatment. Speaking to The Times of India, Dr. Ikeda Lal said: “Many patients lose vision because they cannot access timely eye care. If doctors volunteer even a few hours each week, we can help prevent avoidable blindness among the poor.” His participation reflects the importance of accessible specialist eye care, particularly for patients who may delay treatment because of financial or accessibility challenges. Encouraging More Doctors to Volunteer Organisers are also reaching out to medical associations and healthcare institutions across India to encourage more doctors to join the initiative. The broader goal is to expand the volunteer effort beyond Delhi and make specialist medical care more accessible to underserved communities across the country. Delhi Eye Centre’s Commitment to Accessible Eye Care The participation of Dr. Ikeda Lal and Delhi Eye Centre in this initiative highlights the role that medical professionals can play in improving healthcare accessibility. Even a few hours of voluntary medical service each week can make a meaningful difference for patients who face financial or geographical barriers to specialist care. This initiative demonstrates how collective professional responsibility can help bring specialist healthcare closer to people who need it most. Source This blog is based on the Times of India report: “Doctors pledge two hours a week for free care to poor”Published: 15 August 2026Reported by: Anuja Jaiswal / TNN