Dr. Sanduk Ruit , Nepalese ophthalmologist:
is a world-renowned Nepalese ophthalmologist often referred to as the “God of Sight”. He is celebrated for restoring the vision of over 180,000 people across Asia and Africa, primarily through his innovative, low-cost cataract surgery techniques.
is a world-renowned Nepalese ophthalmologist often referred to as the “God of Sight”. He is celebrated for restoring the vision of over 180,000 people across Asia and Africa, primarily through his innovative, low-cost cataract surgery techniques.
Early Life and Inspiration
Born on September 4, 1954, in the remote Himalayan village of Olangchung Gola, Taplejung, Dr. Ruit’s journey began in extreme isolation where the nearest school was a week’s walk away.
- Tragedy as Catalyst: His path was deeply influenced by personal loss. He witnessed his brother die of dysentery and his sister, Yangla, die of preventable tuberculosis at age 15.
- The Mission: These early experiences instilled in him a belief that everyone deserves quality healthcare, regardless of their income or location.
Education and Professional Foundations
- Scholarships and Training: He received his MBBS from King George’s Medical College in Lucknow and pursued his Master’s in Ophthalmology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.
- A Pivotal Mentorship: In the mid-1980s, Ruit met Australian ophthalmologist Dr. Fred Hollows in Nepal. Hollows became his mentor and close friend, and together they dreamed of making modern eye care affordable for the developing world.
The “Nepal Method” and Tilganga
Dr. Ruit revolutionized cataract treatment by developing a small-incision, sutureless technique that is both highly effective and inexpensive.
- Innovation: His technique takes only about five minutes and costs as little as $25 per procedure, compared to hundreds of dollars in Western countries.
- Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology: Co-founded by Ruit in 1994, this Kathmandu-based hospital serves as a global hub for eye care. It manufactures high-quality intraocular lenses (IOLs) for under $5, whereas global prices were traditionally around $200.
- Global Impact: Over 7 million lenses produced at Tilganga have reached patients in more than 40 countries.
Humanitarian Reach
Dr. Ruit is known for trekking into the most difficult terrains to hold mobile eye camps, transforming classrooms, tents, or even stables into temporary operating rooms.
- International Missions: He has conducted surgeries and trained doctors in North Korea, Ethiopia, Ghana, and many other nations.
- Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation: Launched in 2021, this foundation aims to screen one million people and cure 300,000 of cataract blindness by 2026.
Major Awards and Honors
His lifelong dedication has earned him some of the world’s most prestigious awards:
- ISA Award for Service to Humanity (2023): Bahrain’s top civilian award, including a $1 million prize.
- Padma Shri (2018): India’s fourth-highest civilian honor.
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (2006): Often called the “Asian Nobel Prize”.
- Order of Australia (2007): For his service to humanity and medical innovation.
- Asteroid 83362 Sandukruit: An asteroid named in his honor in 2010.
Dr. Ruit continues to work actively as he approaches his 70s, focused on mentoring the next generation of surgeons to ensure that no one suffers from needless blindness.
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