Amazing doctor on a mission to stop female infanticide in India, does not charge any fees if the new born is a girl!

Simone Jonker
By Simone Jonker
March 3, 2017Stories
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Amazing doctor on a mission to stop female infanticide in India, does not charge any fees if the new born is a girl!

Dr. Ganesh Rakh says it is his “tiny contribution” — in fact the modest doctor is describing his huge mission to improve the chances of survival for India’s baby girls. Female babies are not welcomed as much as male babies in India. Easier access to ultrasounds in recent years have resulted in unborn baby girls’ tragic abortions, creating a large gender imbalance.

In 1961 there were 976 girls for every 1,000 boys under the age of seven years. The last census figures were released in 2011, and that figure dropped to 914 girls for every 1,000 boys — and in India’s huge population that creates a very significant gender imbalance.

In 2007, Dr. Rakh established a small hospital in the western Indian city of Pune. He tells the BBC that whenever a pregnant woman came to the hospital, her family would come as well, all hoping the baby would be a boy.

He told BBC that the biggest challenge doctors usually face is telling families that their relative has died. “For me, it is equally difficult telling a family that they have a daughter,” he shared during an interview with the BBC World News.

“They would celebrate and distribute sweets if a male child was born, but if a girl was born, the relatives would leave the hospital, the mother would cry, and the families would ask for a discount. They would be so disappointed.”

He says that many families told him they had undergone treatment to ensure the birth of a boy. He was surprised to hear about these “treatment”, that included consulting holy men, or taking various kinds of medicine through the nose.

Dr. Rakh has a beautiful daughter on whom he dotes. He said the 2011 census figures were an eye-opener for him and described the situation as “grim.”

Dr. Rakh with his beautiful family.

Rakh's family
(BBC/ANUSHREE FADNAVIS)

Organizations liken female feticide to genocide. The former prime minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, described it as a “national shame,” and the Prime Minister called for a crusade to save India’s baby girls.

Dr. Rakh started his crusade by launching the Mulgi Vachva Abhiyan Campaign, which translates as “Campaign to save the girl child.”

Dr, Ganesh Rakh says the 2011 census figures made him realize the India’s gender bias.

girl imbalance
(BBC/ANUSHREE FADNAVIS)

“I decided I would not charge any fee if a girl was born. Also, since a son’s birth was celebrated by the family, we decided we [at the hospital] would celebrate a daughter’s birth.”

The hospital celebrates each time a baby girl is born in the hospital.

girl celebrated
(BBC/ANUSHREE FADNAVIS)

Now, it’s been four years since Dr. Rakh launched the campaign, and 464 plus girls have been born in his hospital. He has not charged the families at all for their deliveries.

The day BBC visited the hospital in Pune, Nishu and Rahul Khalse were celebrating the birth of their darling baby girl. They were yet to name her when the hospital staff came up with a name — they called her Angel.

The whole hospital lit up in celebration with chocolate cake and flowers for the proud parents. Everyone sang “Happy Birthday Angel,” to the tiny infant girl.

The hospital staff named the little onedayold baby girl Angel’.

baby angel
The hospital staff have named the one-day old baby Angel. (BBC/ANUSHREE FADNAVIS)

Dr. Rakh said he actually had his sights on becoming a wrestler. “But my mother discouraged me – she said you’ll overeat and finish everyone’s food,” Dr. Rakh said.

Dr. Rakh then decided to become a doctor to supplement his family of four’s income, and help his mother and father.

His father saw his point and encouraged him to “carry on the good work.”

Dr Rakh’s father Adinath Vithal Rakh supported his son’s decision to waive the fee if a girl child was born in his hospital.

Dr Ganesh Rakh
Dr Rakh’s father Adinath Vithal Rakh supported his son’s decision to waive the fee if a girl child was born in his hospital. (BBC/ANUSHREE FADNAVIS)

Today his efforts are being recognized and his good deeds are bringing forth fruit. Bollywood super-star Amitabh Bachchan describes him as “a real hero.”

“I started a small thing. I didn’t know it would be received like this,” he says, adding, “but sometimes small things impact minds in a big way.”

He has since asked other doctors to perform one free delivery in support of the cause. Many have pledged their support. He has also organized marches through the streets, to convince people that a daughter is as precious as a son.

“I want to change attitudes – of people, doctors. The day people start celebrating a daughter’s birth, I’ll start charging my fee again. Otherwise, how will I run my hospital?” Dr. Rakh asks.

His beautiful work reminds us that every baby’s life – whether a girl or a boy – is precious and was arranged by the heavens to join our families.

This story was originally published on BBC.

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