Mandya, Karnataka — Dr. S.C. Shankare Gowda, popularly known as the “₹5 Doctor,” is a dermatologist from Mandya who has dedicated more than three decades to providing affordable care to thousands of patients. In an era when healthcare often comes with a hefty price tag, his low-cost consultations have made him a symbol of compassion and accessibility in rural Karnataka.
Born in Shivalli near Mandya, Karnataka, Dr. Shankare Gowda grew up witnessing poverty and poor access to healthcare. Inspired by his mentor, the late Dr. K. Govinda of Mysuru Medical College, he developed a firm belief that medicine must serve humanity before profit.
After earning his MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, and a Diploma in Venereology and Dermatology (DVD), he set up a modest clinic in Bandegowda Layout, Mandya, with a single goal — to make healthcare affordable for all.
For roughly 35–40 years, Dr. Gowda has charged only ₹5 per consultation, a nominal fee he says represents inclusion rather than income. His affordable treatment and approachable manner soon drew patients from across southern Karnataka.
Locals recall that he often waived even this small fee for the poorest patients and prescribed low-cost essential medicines. His philosophy remains simple: medicine should heal, not burden.
Dr. Gowda’s approach centers on affordability, accessibility, and compassion. His clinic operates without appointments; patients queue to see him personally. He rarely recommends expensive diagnostic tests unless essential, relying on clinical judgment and cost-effective prescriptions.
In his words, “I always wanted to serve my people, not burden them with bills.” Even as costs rise, he maintains his symbolic ₹5 consultation as a commitment to equality in care.
In mid-2022, Dr. Gowda himself suffered a heart attack. He was rushed to Bengaluru, where doctors found severe blockages in multiple arteries. After successful surgery at Fortis Hospital, he made a full recovery and soon returned to work. He described this as a ‘second life granted to continue serving.’
1980s–1990s: Begins private practice in Mandya; fixes his consultation fee at ₹5.
1990s–2000s: Gains popularity across southern Karnataka for affordable dermatological care.
January 2017: Receives the Karnataka Kalpavruksha Award in Mysuru for exemplary social service.
June 2022: Diagnosed with triple-vessel coronary artery disease and undergoes successful complex cardiac surgery at Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru.
November 2022: Honored with the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year Award (Social Change category) for his lifelong contribution to affordable healthcare.
2023–present: Continues to run his clinic in Mandya, serving hundreds of patients each week.
Running an ultra-low-cost clinic is not without strain. Rising prices of medicines and long working hours test his endurance, yet Dr. Gowda refuses to commercialize his practice. He manages the clinic through careful budgeting and strong community goodwill.
For him, the satisfaction of seeing patients recover remains the greatest reward — proof that compassion and commitment can still define modern medicine.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)
