This Doctor Visits Homeless Shelter In KL Every Wednesday To Provide Free Healthcare
Dr Madhusudhan Shanmugam has been doing this since 2015.
Cover image via Meet Dr Madhusudhan Shanmugam, the co-founder of the Teddy Mobile Clinic, who has spent the past decade providing free medical care to Malaysia's homeless community
Image via Teddy Mobile Clinic (Provided to SAYS)
Affectionately known as Dr Teddy or the Teddy Bear Doctor, Dr Madhusudhan's story has been featured by numerous media outlets over the years
Despite widespread coverage and being honoured with the 48th Commonwealth Point of Light award by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019, the Klang resident credits the success of the mobile clinic entirely to his volunteers.
Last month, SAYS joined Dr Madhusudhan at Pusat Transit Gelandangan Kuala Lumpur, a homeless shelter in the capital city, to observe how the Teddy Mobile Clinic operates and to learn more about the people behind this remarkable initiative.
Dr Madhusudhan also runs a private clinic in Klang with his father and elder brother. He shared that the inspiration behind the mobile clinic came from his father, who spent decades offering free or low-cost treatment to patients unable to afford medical care.
"My father has been the biggest inspiration for me. His current clinic in Klang has been there for 40 years.
"He provides either free treatment or charges them a very minimal fee [if] they cannot afford the treatment," he said.
Image via Teddy Mobile Clinic (Provided to SAYS)
When asked how he got the moniker Dr Teddy, Dr Madhusudhan said it started when he began handing out free teddy bears to children on the streets
"[Once], when I was treating someone on the street, [a] small kid ran towards me and said, 'Eh, Dr Teddy Bear is here. Since then, the name [just] stuck," he recalled with a smile.
In its early days, the Teddy Mobile Clinic operated out of a van bought with money pooled by Dr Madhusudhan and his volunteers. Outfitted with tables and chairs, the van served as a makeshift clinic at open-air locations such as Jalan Hang Lekiu, Kuala Lumpur.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the van had to be sold. Today, the team transports medical supplies and equipment using their own personal vehicles.
Image via China Press
Image via Teddy Mobile Clinic (Provided to SAYS)
Initially, Dr Madhusudhan bore the cost of medicines and other supplies.
But as word of the initiative spread, generous donors began contributing essentials like medication, food, clothing, and other necessities.
Each registered patient receives a free blood pressure and blood sugar check, followed by a consultation with a doctor, all at zero cost.
What started as a modest effort every Wednesday has since grown into a movement consisting of around 100 volunteers, including six doctors.
Dr Madhusudhan shared that he has no plans to expand the initiative, as he is content with serving his existing patients each week. However, he welcomes more doctors to join the team, noting that they are often hard to come by.
He added that Teddy Mobile Clinic does not require frequent donations, except when his team visits underprivileged communities or encounters patients in need of special treatment.
In such cases, he simply puts up a post on Facebook to request support from his followers and friends.
Visit his Facebook page here and watch our interview with Dr Madhusudhan below:
