In 1979, a British doctor called Jack Preger arrived in Calcutta, India after dedicating six years to treating victims of the refugee crisis in Bangladesh. There, he had exposed heinous trafficking in children which implicated some officials. As a result, the authorities tore down the mother and child clinic he had created. Patients were thrown out in the street. Some died. Jack was deported.
In Calcutta, he initially worked with Mother Teresa, but found the lack of hygiene medically unacceptable. Officially not permitted to practice medicine, but recognising a dire need among the poor, he first treated people where they 'lived' -- under bridges, in drainage pipes and railway platforms. This led to the creation of a 'centralised' treatment area - a rudimentary medical clinic erected at the side of the road.
It operated under tarpaulins along the pavement of a city street called Middleton Row. As a reflection on the city's inadequate health care, the authorities were embarrassed by its existence. They were also uncomfortable about Jack's unofficial presence in the country. At one stage he was imprisoned in Alipore Jail on immigration charges. As a source of non revenue to the street Mafia, he was constantly threatened by local undesirables. Searing heat, monsoon rains and choking air pollution added to the difficulties. Nothing came easily, except the ever-growing numbers of sick, injured and suffering patients who came to this British doctor for treatment. On one occasion, the facility handled over 500 cases in a single day.
The pavement clinic stretched for over 70 metres. It featured several different "departments" each with a volunteer supervisor. These comprised consultation and treatment areas; a pharmacy; a dispensary; a medical records/appointments section and a welfare desk. In needy cases, the latter provided cash for public transport, baby foods, nutritional supplies, and other basic necessities. This sprawling creation was assembled every day at dawn, and dismantled at dusk. Privacy during medical examinations was provided by hand held curtains of fabric. Many cases involved injuries, infections or burns which could be treated on site, medication prescribed, and followed up. In other examples, samples were sent for laboratory investigations. Serious or surgical cases were referred to hospitals. All expenses were paid for.
