Chennai’s Beloved ‘Rs 5 Doctor’ Passes Away: Why He Was a Messiah to The Poor

Many residents of Chennai are in a deep state of mourning after Dr S Jayachandran, the famous ‘₹5 doctor,’ passed away earlier today after suffering from a brief illness.

The compassionate doctor from North Chennai, whose clinic-cum-house on Venkatachalam Street in Old Washermenpet was open to all sections of society, passed away at the age of 71.

In the course of his 43-year-long career, Dr Jayachandran, who was an alumnus of Madras Medical College, treated patients either for free or a token sum of Rs 5. Besides charging his patients virtually nothing, locals say that he would often pay for their medicines from his own pocket.

Speaking to The Hindu, Vinoth, a former patient who credits Dr Jayachandran with saving his life when he was just seven, talked about the valuable services he offered to those who didn’t have the means to access quality healthcare.

“I was brought here to him in an unconscious state. But in the evening, I walked back. I brought my daughter as a 6-day-old infant when she vomited blood, and he saved her too,” said Vinoth.

Another resident and a long-time friend of the doctor told the publication that Dr Jayachandran would arrange rickshaws for elderly patients if they had no means of transport. “He would even give them money to buy footwear if they were diabetic or had any foot injury,” he recalled.

“I have a principle to not force people to pay the money. I take money only if they willingly give it. If they don’t, I don’t ask for it at all,” Dr Jayachandran once said.

While Dr Jayachandran treated people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, his stellar reputation resulted in even the wealthy seeking him out. They would often pay him in the thousands, but he insisted on acquiring a fee in the form of medicines. According to reports, the medicine he would receive from the rich would go to those who couldn’t afford it.

Also Read: Kolkata Doctor Has Been Running a 24/7 Clinic for the Elderly Since 1995!

“I did not want to commercialise what I learnt. I am running this clinic without any caste, creed, or religious differences. The thing I love the most in the world is being a doctor. The happiness and satisfaction one receives while saving a life cannot be compared to anything else in the world,” he once said, according to Think Change India.

Dr Jayachandran leaves behind a wife, who is also a doctor, and three children. His last rites will be conducted tomorrow in Chennai.

(Edited by Gayatri Mishra)

Like this story? Or have something to share? Write to us: [email protected], or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Found Value in This Story?Pay What You Can to Support Impactful Journalism

If you found our stories insightful, informative, or even just enjoyable, we invite you to consider making a voluntary payment to support the work we do at The Better India. Your contribution helps us continue producing quality content that educates, inspires, and drives positive change.

Choose one of the payment options below for your contribution-

₹201
₹501
₹1001

By paying for the stories you value, you directly contribute to sustaining our efforts focused on making a difference in the world. Together, let’s ensure that impactful stories continue to be told and shared, enriching lives and communities alike.

Thank you for your support. Here are some frequently asked questions you might find helpful to know why you are contributing?