A young physician Yagnadatta Rath hailing from Patilo village under Tirtol block in Jagatsinghpur district has been chosen to receive the prestigious Indian Medical Association [IMA] Dr Thakar Award 2017-18 for delivering best community health service. The award would be given at a function of IMA NATCON 2018 on December 27 and 28 at Bangaluru.
Dr Rath had come under intense public debate not only in Odisha but across the country for his benevolent act while he was working in Tumudibandha Community Health Centre [CHC] in Kandhamal in March 2018.
Reports said that the young doctor had trekked about two km to cross a hill and river and reached a Maoist infested remote tribal village to attend a pregnant tribal woman.
The IMA Dr CT Thakar Award selection committee recognized Rath’s benevolent act and selected him for the award.
Sources informed that the residents of Patilo were jubilant after knowing about the development. They proposed to celebrate the event at the village.
Dr Rath’s grandfather Muralidhar Rath expressed his happiness and described the award as God’s blessing and a professional determination of a youngster.