Kerala’s ‘Two-Rupee Doctor’ Bids Farewell: Legendary Healer AK Rairu Gopal Dies At 80
Kannur, Kerala: In a profound loss to the medical community and the underprivileged masses he served tirelessly in Kerala’s Kannur, Dr AK Rairu Gopal, fondly remembered as the ‘Two-Rupee Doctor’, died on Saturday at the age of 80 due to age-related ailments. It is an end of an era defined by selfless service, where healthcare was a calling rather than a commerce.
Born into a family of medics, Dr Gopal followed in the footsteps of his father, Dr A Gopalan Nambiar, who instilled in him the ethos that “if it’s about making money, do some other job.” Alongside his brothers, Dr Venugopal and Dr Rajagopal, he upheld this family tradition.
After witnessing the plight of a poor patient during a house visit early in his career, reportedly, Dr Gopal dedicated over five decades to providing affordable care from his modest clinic near the Thana Manikkakavu temple in Kannur.
His routine was as rigorous as it was compassionate. Rising at 2:15 am, he tended to his cows, cleaned the shed, collected milk, and offered prayers before opening his doors by 6:30 am.
To accommodate daily wage earners and students, he often began consultations as early as 3 am, treating up to 300 patients a day. Charging a nominal Rs 2 – later adjusted to Rs 40-50 as costs rose – he rejected pharmaceutical incentives and prescribed only low-cost, effective medicines.
Over his lifetime, he cared for an astonishing 18 lakh patients reportedly, many from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, earning him the Indian Medical Association award for the best family doctor in Kerala.
Supported by his wife, Dr Shakuntala – herself a physician – and an assistant, Dr Gopal managed the throngs of patients with unwavering dedication. As his health waned in recent years, the patient numbers dwindled, but his spirit remained unbroken.
He leaves behind Dr Shakuntala, a son, and a daughter, along with a legacy that transcended medicine.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led tributes, hailing Dr Gopal as “the people’s doctor” whose half-century of service made healthcare accessible to all. “His willingness to serve was a great comfort to countless patients,” Vijayan said in a statement.
