What makes doctors begin their careers in rural India—and keep going for three decades? Dr. John and Mercy John reveal why they stayed—and how their work transformed healthcare in Bissam Cuttack, Odisha.

In this episode of The Health Worker, host Ram G. Vallath from the Azim Premji Foundation brings you the story of Dr. John “Johnny” Oommen (MD, CMC Vellore) and Mercy John, who chose to serve the tribal communities of Bissam Cuttack, Odisha, instead of pursuing lucrative careers in India or abroad.

For three decades, they've tackled challenges most doctors in India never face—infant mortality rates of 200 per 1,000, under-five mortality touching 350 per 1,000, high birth rates & high death rates, zero healthcare infrastructure, and communities where seeing a doctor meant traveling hours.

What you'll discover:

- Why  ...