National Doctor's Day: Poor infra & pay, yet here's what keeps this village doctor going

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However, Dr Karuppiah believes the biggest impediment to his fight against the pandemic was the lack of awareness on COVID-19. "The people lack awareness, and that is why we lost many lives," he says, "They didn’t know what to do — if they got a sore throat or a cough, they thought it might symptoms of regular illnesses."

The pandemic aside, the 42-year-old doctor has spent all his adult life treating patients at his hospital in Sivaganga. Unlike big-city physicians, the village doctor in Karuppiah is paid far less for his practice.

"My colleagues (in the city) mint money and I’ve been paid only about Rs 300 per patient — after accounting for injections and medical support," he says with a smile, "But I have the satisfaction that I cure patients in villages, and that keeps me encouraged."

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If India learnt anything from the pandemic, it was the pressing need for more healthcare workers, doctors included. In this vein, some degree of criticism has been levelled over the cost of medical education in the country. However, Karuppiah feels what India needs more than low-cost education, is a better dedication from doctors-to-be.

"What we need, is dedicated students who are interested in working for patients. We need doctors; we have to save lives," he says, "Students who want to join the medical fraternity should show some dedication, which many people lack these days."