It began in 1985-86 when she gave free medical services in health camps organised by renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Premanand Ramani in Goa. Later, in 1989, Bharati Bandodkar of Peaceful society NGO in Madkai came up with an idea of health camps for rural women and children and she readily agreed. Thus began Dr Purnima Usgaokar’s journey in the field of public health which bagged her the prestigious ‘Dr Dasgupta memorial award and gold medal’ in the year 2014.
“Those were the days, when free health camps were a rarity”, Dr Purnima narrates while recalling her journey. Bharati came to me with her idea and I accepted the proposal and conceptualized the health camp”, narrates Dr Purnima. Today after 24 years, the health camps are still running in the villages of Ponda, all thanks to the dedication of this lady who has changed the way rural people look at their family health.
Today, Dr. Purnima is a known face in many of the villages in Ponda where she has delivered health services to several needy people. But 60 years of Dr. Purnima’s life was no bed of roses. “I remember writing an essay in my SSC exam on my ambition in life. I wrote that I wanted to be a doctor but to be frank, I had no such fixed aim in my life than”, recalls Dr. Purnima. “We were 7 siblings and being a girl I may or may not have continued education after SSC but I stood 6th in the boards and achieved a national scholarship which paved the way to my future. I retained the scholarship till my medical studies, reason why I didn’t have to pinch my family for finances”, Purnima mentions.
When u see this warm hearted lady cuddling and playing with the children in Matruchaya, you would not imagine that she herself has gone through not one but several health problems and operations including breast cancer surgery. But she has overhauled everything with sheer will power. “I still wake up at 6 am in the morning and sleep at around 12 without a power nap in the afternoon. All my pains increased my positivity and the understanding towards my patients since I faced it all myself” she quips.
Dr. Purnima also follows up the health problems of the orphans of Matruchaya till they are given for adoption and the destitute children homed by Matruchaya for education. “When they require admission they are admitted and treated at our hospital free of cost with cooperation from my husband, Dr. Santosh Usgaonker, Purnima puts across. “it is a great feeling to give a healthy baby in hands of a couple but it is sometimes painful to see how certain couples inquire about a child as if he or she is a product in the market”, she sighs.
Dr Purnima is also a trustee of The Indian Medical Association Ponda which is building a community health project at Farmagudi, Ponda namely IMA Ponda Hospice palliative care centre for terminally ill patients, a unique hospital to be built and managed by professional NGO. “The building is under construction and IMA expects it to be completed soon”, informs Dr Purnima.
A lady of indomitable spirit, Dr Purnima is indeed an inspiration to many. She has cure for both body
and soul.
