G. Venkataswamy

Founded Aravind Eye Hospital, providing affordable eye care and restoring vision to millions.

Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy, known as G. Venkataswamy, was an Indian ophthalmologist who revolutionized eye care through his establishment of the Aravind Eye Hospital in 1976. Born in 1924 in Madurai, India, he dedicated his life to eliminating preventable blindness, which affected millions in developing countries. His vision was to provide high-quality eye care at no cost to the poor while maintaining sustainability through a 'cross-subsidy' model. This model allowed patients with the ability to pay for services to subsidize care for those who couldn’t afford it. By 2020, Aravind had performed over 5 million cataract surgeries and established a network of hospitals across India and beyond.

Dr. Venkataswamy’s innovations extended beyond medicine. He pioneered mobile eye camps, training programs for rural healthcare workers, and advanced surgical techniques. His work inspired global models for affordable healthcare delivery. Aravind’s success was recognized by institutions like the World Health Organization and Harvard Business School, which studied its business model. Dr. Venkataswamy’s legacy includes not only saving sight but also proving that social enterprises could thrive without compromising ethical standards. His approach has been replicated in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. For more details, visit Aravind Eye Care System or read Aravind: How to Deliver World-Class Care at Affordable Prices.