Dr Jack Preger, MBE
Dr Jack Preger MBE, is globally regarded as the ‘grandfather’ of street medicine. He has helped more than half a million people during four decades spent providing free healthcare, education and other support to those living on the streets and in the slums of Kolkata.
His early days
Born in Britain in 1930, he moved to Bangladesh in 1972. He heard a radio message asking for doctors to help. Dr. Jack went to a refugee camp where people lived in bad conditions. He started a clinic with 90 beds and two farms to help them. But in 1979, he found out about a group smuggling children. He had to leave Bangladesh.
The land of his service - Kolkata
In 1979 Dr. Jack arrived in Kolkata, where a huge number of people were living in dire poverty on the streets. With little resources but a big heart, he began providing them with free medical care. As word of his work spread, travellers and local residents offered financial support and volunteered to assist him. Despite many challenges over 40 years, Dr Jack remained steadfast in his commitment to serve the most vulnerable, regardless of their caste or religion.
Perseverance recognised
Dr Jack went on to pioneer the provision of free, high-quality primary healthcare, delivered at the point of need.
- By 1991 his work had received official recognition, and he established Calcutta Rescue as a West Bengal-registered charity running fixed clinics, street medicine ambulances and education projects for the poorest community.
- In 1993, the UK awarded him an MBE for his “continued perseverance and incredible selflessness”.
- In 2004, he helped found the International Street Medicine Symposium which brings together experts from around the world to share best practice, and his personal example inspired countless other medical professionals to follow in his footsteps.
- In 2017, Dr Jack became the first living non-Asian to win a coveted Asian Award in Britain when he was named Philanthropist of the Year.