Dr P C Shanavas, popularly known as ‘Doctor of Poor’ was under severe stress after he was ‘punished’ by back-to-back transfers for daring to stand against corrupt health department officials and medicine mafia.
By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Kozhikode: The death of the doctor working among the tribes and poor men shocked the beneficiaries of his philanthropic activities. Native of Vadapuram in Malappuram district, Dr P C Shanavas, popularly known as ‘Doctor of Poor’, died on Saturday due to cardiac attack that occurred on his way back to home from Kozhikode.
On social media the efforts of Dr Shanavas to distribute medicine and food to the tribes had got huge support. His works in the tribal area earned him reputation from various corners. However, the doctor was in news due to different controversies recently. His open fight with the health department and medicine mafia, which is grooming in the state, gained public attention in the state.
Dr Shanavas during his visit to various tribal colonies in the state.
He was a familiar face in the tribal colonies of Kerala. Carrying food grains on his shoulder and bags in his hands, the philanthropist travelled across the state visiting tribal colonies, orphanages and old age homes.
Dr Shanavas was transferred to Kanjirappuzha, the hilly hamlet in Palakkad district as part of a disciplinary action against him for daring to raise voice against corruption in the health department. He was again transferred to another health centre in Palakkad district.
The back to back transfers disturbed the doctor and he dared to express it through his Facebook posts. “If something happens to me during my fight against the injustice, the government will be responsible”, he wrote on his Facebook wall recently.
“In the struggle for the marginalised and against the worst establishment, I will be onward because I know I am right and god is with me,” Shanavas later wrote.
According to his friends, he was set to reveal some shocking truths against the high officials in the health department before the Kerala High Court.
Jahangir Razaq, one of his friends and online activist, said he was under constant pressure exerted by the senior officials.
Different Facebook pages have started soon after learning his death to protest against the health officials and seek action against them. Condolence messages are flooding in the Facebook page of Dr Shanavas.
“Tearful adieu to Dr Shanavas P C, a medical practitioner in Kerala who woven philanthropy skilfully and passionately with his profession and social existence. His selfless services as a committed doctor and a selfless social worker for the tribals of Nilambur in North Kerala would be remembered for ever. The tragic part is that he worked under an inhuman hierarchy that only encouraged corrupt and inefficient subordinates who obey without reasoning. They have contributed a lot to his unexpected death. The role played by Kerala Government, pharma majors and private hospitals in awarding him an early ‘death penalty’ must be thoroughly investigated. He was under enormous stress and strain till breathing the last,” said a Facebook condolence message by a senior journalist in Kerala.
His burial will be held on Sunday in Vadapuram Jama Masjid. Shanavas is the second son of P Mohammed Haji and K Jammela. Dr Shinas Babu and Shameela are his siblings.
Meanwhile, the health officials in the district confirmed that the doctor was transferred on the basis of complaints they got from different corners, including public.
(Photos courtesy: boolokam.com)