An Uber driver has set up a crowdfunding campaign for the South African Doctor who opened a practice where you pay what you can afford!
Parklands, Cape Town – Dr Paulo de Valdoleiros, also known as the Walk-In Doctor, has created a massive (and important) online conversation after opening his medical practice in Westdene in Bloemfontein on the 17 June 2019.
His practice… and the idea to offer his services are not what is making waves but rather the fact that he is asking patients to pay what they can afford!
“Basically, the concept was I can take care of anybody — you pay what you can afford. So, I see the patient; I examine if necessary. We give out basic medication, and by basic medication, I mean the type of medicine that has been around for about 40 years, so it is relatively cheap. So a little session of antibiotics costs us around R20 to R25.
We don’t charge for any of this. I see the patient; I give them medication if necessary. You then go to the reception, and you decide your fee. The staff are trained not to tell you what it is or what it isn’t because we don’t have a set fee. It’s what you decide, what you can afford — it’s between you and your conscience.
In a sense, I’m getting people to make decisions they have never had to make. I feel that just because you don’t have money shouldn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to see a doctor,” he said in a telephonic interview with Gateway News.
His concept and kindness inspired many, including an Uber Driver from Parklands who set up a crowdfunding campaign to allow the doctor to continue doing his good work!
Samy Bala, a 30 years old Uber Driver, says the funds will help Dr de Valdoleiros maintain the amazing vision he has for changing lives by paying his bills and his staff!
“It will give him a motivation to keep his dream of changing lives through affordable medical care alive.
I have set up this campaign to raise funds for Doctor Paulo De Valdeleiros from Bloemfontein. I just saw an article this morning for his kind heart asking patients to pay what they can afford in hope to changing peoples lives, so I am hoping to share with people to fund his work so he can continue to change peoples’ lives.”
The funds will be collected and administered by BackaBuddy until the total amount reaches R1 million and then be used to pay his salary of R83,333 a month for 12 months.
Backabuddy have confirmed that the funds will go directly to the practice. If you would like to help the cause, click here.
by 