A dispensary run by the Maniben Chandulal Maganlal Kothari Charitable Trust in the Kamlapura locality of Palanpur, which is observing its 40th anniversary this year, offers a basic check-up and medicines to poor and needy patients for just Rs 1 per visit. 
 

The dispensary was set up by the Kothari family in 1979. The cost of running the dispensary and dispensing medicines is being subsidised through the Trust with generous donations from Kantibhai Chandulal Kothari (Hong Kong) and family. The activities were started at the inspiration of Shri Kantilal Chhotalal Mehta (Kanubhai) in an area where most poor and downtrodden reside. The dispensary initially used to charge the poor and needy patients in the area just four annas (25 paise) per visit. As a result the dispensary has been popularly called ‘char anna nu davakanu’. This very basic fee has only been increased by a marginal amount over the past four decades. Dainik Bhaskar dated 25th July 2019 ran a story on the dispensary. (Click here to read)

The dispensary, which caters to the middle and lower class and poor, has always been run by a fully qualified MBBS doctor with trained staff to assist in dispensing basic medicines for routine illnesses and administer basic first aid treatment. In case of more serious complaints, the doctor refers the patients to a hospital. 

Initially, the dispensary was headed by Dr. Ramnikbhai S. Kothari and subsequently, Dr. Kantibhai C. Mehta provided his medical services for a period of over 20 years. Currently, the doctor in charge is Dr. Hirabhai Parmar. 

The number of cases treated ranges between 80-100 per day. The local work of the Trust is managed by Dr. Varshaben P Shah (Deesa) and Dr. Satyavatiben Kothari.