Distinguished Medical Practitioner to Receive National Honour

Distinguished medical practitioner, Dr. Nagamalleswara Rao Chandolu, will be conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD) on National Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 20, during the Ceremony of Investiture at King’s House.

This national honour is in recognition of his dedicated service to the field of medicine in Jamaica.

Popularly known as the ‘Five Bills Doctor’, Dr. Chandolu has been charging only $500 per consultation since 2009 — the lowest fee for private medical care in the country.

He tells JIS News that, “receiving the Order of Distinction is both humbling and deeply meaningful.”

“Personally, it affirms the journey I began many years ago, guided by a simple commitment to serve. Professionally, it reinforces the importance of making healthcare accessible and community-focused,” Dr. Chandolu adds.

He shares that the response from friends, patients, colleagues, church leaders, and members of the Indian community has been overwhelming, with many expressing joy and pride in his achievement.

“Many have said, ‘this honour is ours as well’, which reflects the fact that this recognition is truly shared with the community I serve,” Dr. Chandolu states.

Raised in Guntur, a city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Chandolu grew up in a modest, values-driven household.

A general practitioner by profession, he holds the distinction of being the first in his family to become a doctor.

Dr. Chandolu pursued his medical studies at NTR University of Health Sciences, now known as Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences, in Andhra Pradesh.

“From an early age I saw how access to healthcare could transform lives and, equally, how its absence could cause unnecessary suffering. That awareness inspired me to study medicine, not as a career of prestige, but as a lifelong calling to serve the vulnerable,” he tells JIS News.

Describing his relocation to Jamaica in 2005 as “God’s plan” and an opportunity, Dr. Chandolu says he initially served in public health institutions.

He emphasises that his work has been guided by a mission to provide “quality healthcare that is accessible, affordable, and community centered.”

In 2009, following the completion of additional qualifications from the Medical Council of Jamaica, Dr. Chandolu established his private practice, Chandolu Global Healthcare.

“I felt strongly that I could contribute… to healthcare delivery, especially affordability and access in underserved communities,” he tells JIS News.

Since then, Dr. Chandolu and his team have extended free medical services across Jamaica through health camps, home visits, and other community outreach initiatives.

He says these efforts have been carried out with the support of and in collaboration with Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness; churches; Missionaries of the Poor; Mustard Seed Communities; Missionaries of Charity; and the Indian High Commission in Jamaica, among other stakeholders.

“Community outreach initiatives often include health education, empowering individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions about their health. It also builds trust between healthcare providers and communities,” Dr. Chandolu shares.

He believes that his model of affordable, community-centered care can be replicated through a mindset shift — one that prioritises people over profit and fosters partnerships with volunteers, faith-based groups, and civic organisations.

“Medicine is not just a science, it is service. In under-resourced environments, you may not always have the latest tools, but you will always have the ability to listen, to show compassion, and to adapt. If you carry that spirit, your impact will be greater than you imagine,” Dr. Chandolu declares.