A surgeon with a heart: Jamshedpur’s Dr. Nagendra Singh healing mission for the poor

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, June 30: In an age where healthcare is often beyond the reach of the underprivileged, one man has quietly become a beacon of hope for thousands. Dr. Nagendra Singh, the founder and chief surgeon of Ganga Memorial Hospital in Mango, Jamshedpur, has devoted over three decades of his life to providing compassionate, life-saving care to the most marginalized — earning him the heartfelt title of the “Sabji Wale Doctor.”

Born in a modest family in Panihara village, Bihar, Dr. Singh completed his MBBS from Magadh University and went on to earn his MS in Surgery from RIMS, Ranchi. Instead of pursuing a lucrative career in private practice, he chose the path less taken. Since 1990, he has been tirelessly working in the remotest parts of Jharkhand and West Bengal, conducting free health camps and surgeries for those who cannot afford even basic treatment.

His journey of healing began with rural camps in the name of his late mother, Maa Ganga Devi. For over 32 years, he has travelled on foot or by bicycle to reach patients, often accepting vegetables in return when money wasn’t available. That’s how he earned the name “Sabji Wale Doctor”, a title that today symbolizes selfless service and deep human empathy.

In 2007, he established Ganga Memorial Hospital in Mango, a facility that has become a sanctuary for the poor. Over 1,00,000 surgeries have been performed under his guidance, with more than 15,000 done completely free of cost. His commitment intensified during the COVID-19 lockdown when OPDs across the region were shut. Undeterred, Dr. Singh carried out 32 free surgeries during this critical time — saving lives when hope was dim.

One such moving case was that of Bandini, a woman from Purulia, whose husband cycled for 15 days with his ailing wife in search of treatment. On reaching Ganga Memorial Hospital, Dr. Singh not only operated on her free of charge but also provided food, clothes, covered 10 days of cycle rent and gifted the family a new bicycle — sending them home with dignity in an ambulance.

From operating on a two-year-old child with 350 gallstones to removing a 40 kg tumour under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Dr. Singh’s surgeries are not just medical marvels but stories of compassion. His hospital remains one of the top performers under Ayushman Bharat, conducting 165 surgeries within just 45 days of the scheme’s launch.

Fluent in multiple regional languages including Bengali, Odia, Ho and Maithili, Dr. Singh connects deeply with his patients. His dedication has been honoured by numerous institutions, including a commendation from the then Governor and now President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

On this Doctor’s Day, we salute Dr. Nagendra Singh — a surgeon, a savior and above all, a symbol of humanity. His unwavering mission continues to prove that true healing goes beyond medicine; it lies in service, empathy and unconditional care for those who need it the most.