After completing his medical studies at a top medical college in Bengaluru, 30-year-old Dr. Akshya Montry chose to return to his home district of Gajapati in Odisha, one of India’s most remote and underdeveloped regions. Raised in a poor village family, he says his own life struggles helped him understand the suffering of the people he now serves.
Dr. Montry works at the Kashinagar Community Health Center, a government hospital that mainly serves tribal and Dalit communities. Starting his day early, he treats 50 to 100 patients daily, handling common illnesses, emergencies, and accident cases. He considers his work a blessing and tries to treat every patient with care and respect.
Dr. Montry says he owes his medical education to the support of the Catholic Church. When his family could not afford the high admission fees, Church leaders and benefactors stepped in to help him through scholarships, donations, and fee concessions. This support continued throughout his studies, making it possible for him to complete his degree.
Now, Dr. Montry wants to specialize further while also helping poor students achieve their dreams. Odisha faces a serious shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. Government reports show that many medical posts remain vacant, affecting healthcare delivery in tribal districts.
Church leaders say such achievements are remarkable, especially after the anti-Christian violence that affected Odisha in 2007–2008, disrupting education for many families. Today, there are dozens of Catholic doctors and nurses from poor backgrounds serving across the state.
Dr. Montry believes education restores dignity and hope. By serving his own people, he hopes to give back to society and inspire other young students to serve the poor with compassion and commitment.
