“Pesum Deivam”, Dr.Sarojini Raman (1924 - 1995) belonged to the third batch of the Stanley Medical College. She had joined in the Government service after her graduation for it was mandatory that doctors should take care of the poor and do service during the early part of their career.
“Pesum Deivam”, Dr.Sarojini Raman (1924 - 1995) belonged to the third batch of the Stanley Medical College. She had joined in the Government service after her graduation for it was mandatory that doctors should take care of the poor and do service during the early part of their career.
The year 1954 was an important milestone in her life for it was then that young doctor had decided to go to England in pursuit of higher education. Dr.Sarojini was married by then and her husband Raman gave her his unflinching support.
She spent the next six years in England in order to do an MRCOG and DCH. Dr.Sarojini was the first doctor from Coimbatore to study and work in England during the early years of our republic. The British patients were thrilled with her abilities for her skills dispelled their notion that India was a country of elephants and snake charmers. She had a residence in England and her husband used to visit her on a yearly basis.
On returning to India Dr.Sarojini established a hospital (Balaji Nursing Home) on Cowley Brown road by the year 1961. Those were the times when R.S.Puram was an extension and Cowley Brown, in particular, was just on the way to the Murugan Temple at Marudamalai with the Forest College in the neighborhood.
Her approach and skill made her an eminent Obstetrician within a short span of time. Dr.Sarojini was a real leader and the entire hospital used to be on its toes while she visited every nook and corner of the premises in order to inspect the level of hygiene. She took very good care of each and every patient and never charged the poor all her life. In fact she used to give them some money to cover their travel expenses. A number of important personages of the city had their kids delivered by her in her hospital. Several doctors used to get their spouses treated by her and got their children delivered by her at her nursing home.
Dr.Sarojini Raman was keen to serve the society for she truly believed that doctors were born to serve. She did not much appreciate the pursuit of big money by the members of the medical fraternity. Therefore she decided to set an example by serving the poor free of cost for four days a week during the later days of her life. Her free service at Kanuvai provided succour to the financially under privileged. Dr.Sarojini Raman motivated a number of women to pursue medicine and today many of them are successful doctors in their own right. In fact 12 of her family members very active doctors. Service-minded Dr.Sarojini is remembered by her protégés and patients as a doctor who was born to excel and it’s nice to notice many of them following her footsteps.
The good work of Dr.Sarojini Raman brought many doctors, hospitals, labs and pharmacies to the once not so well known terrain.
Thanks to this early pioneer, Cowley Brown Road has become the hub for medical facilities in Coimbatore.