The five-baht doctor

HEALTH: What do you do when you are sick and have no money? The answer is go see the five-baht doctor

Story by KARNJARIYA SUKRUNG
Photos by YINGYONG UN-ANONGRAK

Being sick is bad enough, but many patients are also plagued by the fear of expensive medical treatment which could turn them into paupers.

But there's no need to be scared of receiving a crippling doctor's bill at the "five-baht clinic" off Soi Ranong 1 in Bangkok's Dusit district.

"I've come here since I was teenager whenever I feel sick," said a senior university student Kulaya Banharn who visited the doctor because she was suffering from anaemia.

"The doctor is kind and his prescription is effective. Most importantly, the fee is very cheap," she explained.

The clinic is run by Dr Sapha Limphanichakarn, better known as the "five-baht doctor". It has been an oasis of hope for poor patients for over 30 years.

"My professional goal is to help patients recover as fast as possible for the least cost," said the 64-year-old physician.

His "five-baht doctor" nickname comes from the local grapevine which says patients can pay as little as five baht for a consultation for a common cold. And that for more complicated cases, the fee never exceeds 100 baht.

Dr Sapha started the clinic in 1964 after seven years study at Siriraj Hospital's medical school and a one-year internship at the Johns Hopkins University in the US.

"The clinic is a tool to keep my hard-earned knowledge worthwhile. However, I've never wanted to be a doctor," he said, adding that he has never practised medicine at any hospital.

"But my knowledge which took me so many years to gain would be in vain if I did not use it for a good cause," said the lecturer and co-founder of the School of Medical Illustration and Audiovisual Technology at Siriraj Hospital.

Dr Sapha said his first love was photography but his parents wanted him to pursue the respectable career of a doctor instead. However, he never abandoned his interest in taking pictures.

Aiming to keep his medical knowledge from rusting, profit was never his concern.

"Some patients are so poor that they have to wait until they have enough money before they go to see the doctor. Some only go on pay day. Others must borrow money. That's why I always tell my patients to come promptly when they're sick and never mind about the money. Health comes first. They can pay later."

His sympathy for his patients derives from his own turbulent childhood.

"I was a sickly child. My life was balanced between life and death, having been through many critical diseases like pneumonia, typhoid, diptheria, all of which back then had no medication," he recalled.

"From my own experiences, I know that getting proper treatment in time is often a matter of life or death."

Located on the ground floor of an old-style shophouse, the simple clinic has only minimal furniture: a rusty ceiling fan, aging refrigerator, a doctor's table, hospital bed and several medicine cabinets, all looking rather worse for wear.

It may be a little shabby, but the clinic is still popular. On an average day, about 20-30 patients come and wait patiently for their turn. The clinic is open everyday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. except Saturday.

Dr Sapha's reputation for inexpensive treatment and kindness has spread through word of mouth and patients come not only from the surrounding Ranong 1 neighbourhood, but also from outer suburban areas like Lat Phrao and Taling Chan and even nearby provinces.

With only Dr Sapha on duty working as physician, pharmacist and receptionist, patients have to learn the rules of self-service, forming an orderly queue to wait to see the doctor. And there never seems to be a problem.

The "five-baht clinic" treats simple illnesses like flu, stomach ache, tonsil infection and muscle pains. For more complicated cases, the doctor transfers patients to specialist clinics or hospitals.

There are times, however, when patients arrive in such a grave condition that the doctor must take them to the hospital for emergency treatment himself.

"One time, a mother carried in a baby who had a severe case of brain illness. I closed the clinic immediately to drive the baby to the hospital. Luckily, we got her there in time," he recalled.

For patients needing physical therapy, Dr Sapha also serves as a masseur to save them the cost of going to the hospital.

Of late, the good doctor has also served as a psychiatrist. "Many patients now come with psychological problems or depression. Apart from medication, I also give them advice on how to get over their lows like teaching them meditation techniques. Simply listening to their problems also helps a lot," he said with a kind smile.

Unlike many doctors in hospitals or clinics to whom time is money, Dr Sapha takes his time with patients.

"As my business is not about money, I spend time talking to patients and make sure they understand the treatment and prescription and how to take care of themselves properly."

Although he gives patients long explanations about their symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, as well as health advice, he never charges a doctor's fee. His patients only pay for the medicine.

"I cut 50 percent off the medicine's normal market price. That's why it's cheap here. For example, five paracetamol pills cost only one baht or less."

The doctor is able to sell medicine so cheaply because he buys it from pharmaceutical factories at wholesale prices and from hospitals at a discount. Most medicines cost from 10-30 baht and the most his patients pay is 80 baht.

A day's work earns him around 500-700 baht. He uses the money to buy medical supplies, pay the 2,500-baht monthly rent, and for other overheads like water and electricity. Then there's the cost of petrol to commute from Siriraj Hospital to the clinic in Soi Ranong and to his home in Taling Chan.

"I can't tell if the income covers the expenses because I've never sat down to do proper accounting. I hate maths. It's boring stuff. And since the clinic doesn't make any profit anyway, why should I waste my time doing the accounting," chuckled the good-humoured doctor."

Apart from occasionally digging into his own pocket, the clinic is supported by donations. A few well-wishers make regular gifts of 200 or 300 baht a month. Others donate medicine such as birth control pills.

Although his salary as a government official at Siriraj Hospital is modest, Dr Sapha says his income is enough to support his family.

"I can take care of my wife, two grown-up children and a dog," he smiled. "I also have some savings and some money to make merit."

People who live a modest life do not need much money, he said. "Since I realised what kind of life I chose to lead, I have trained myself not to spend money on things I already had or on hanging out with friends. That's why my salary is enough for both family and clinic."

For his three decades of commitment to the poor, Dr Sapha receives in return the abundant gratitude and friendship of his patients and, more importantly, his own self-fulfillment.

"It's strange that however sick I feel, the symptoms disappear when I arrive at the clinic," said the good-hearted doctor. "It probably because working here gives me deep joy. And since it is not easy to find happiness these days, I count myself lucky."

For donations, contact Dr Sapha Limphanichakarn at the clinic: 89/2 Soi Ranong 1, Rachawat, Dusit, Bangkok. Or at the School of Medical Illustration and Audiovisual Technology, Siriraj Hospital, Pran Nok Road, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700. Or call 419-8312.

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