Aaditya Singh
Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, born on May 8, 1953, in Mangalore, Karnataka, is a renowned Indian cardiac surgeon and entrepreneur who has transformed the landscape of healthcare in India. Known as the “Henry Ford of heart surgery,” Dr. Shetty has pioneered a model of low-cost, high-quality cardiac care that has made life-saving procedures accessible to thousands of patients.
After completing his MBBS from Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, Dr. Shetty pursued his postgraduate work in General Surgery at Bombay Hospital. He then obtained his FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons, England. His specialized training in cardiac surgery was completed at Guy’s Hospital in London, where he also worked as a cardiac surgeon.
Returning to India in 1989, Dr. Shetty initially worked at B.M. Birla Hospital in Kolkata. Here, he performed the first neonatal heart surgery in the country, operating on a 9-day-old baby. He also served as the personal physician to Mother Teresa, an experience that deeply influenced his approach to healthcare.
In 2001, Dr. Shetty founded Narayana Hrudayalaya (now Narayana Health), a multi-specialty hospital chain that has revolutionized cardiac care in India. The hospital’s innovative model focuses on high-volume surgeries, efficient resource utilization, and cross-subsidization. This approach has allowed Narayana Health to offer cardiac procedures at a fraction of the cost compared to other facilities, without compromising on quality.
Dr. Shetty’s vision extends beyond just providing affordable surgeries. He has been instrumental in implementing micro-health insurance schemes like Yeshasvini, which provides health insurance to farmers for just a few rupees a month. He has also championed telemedicine projects to reach patients in remote areas.
His contributions to healthcare have earned him numerous accolades. In 2003, he was awarded the Padma Shri, and in 2012, he received the Padma Bhushan, two of India’s highest civilian honors. He was also named Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2012 and has received honorary doctorates from several universities.
Dr. Shetty’s impact goes beyond India’s borders. His model of affordable healthcare has inspired similar initiatives worldwide. He has served on the Board of Governors of the Medical Council of India and has been a member of the Finance Committee of the Government of Karnataka.
As an advocate for accessible healthcare, Dr. Shetty frequently speaks at international forums about the need for innovative solutions in healthcare delivery. His goal is to bring the cost of healthcare down to such a level that even a daily wage worker can afford it.
Dr. Shetty’s work exemplifies how innovation and compassion can come together to create transformative change in healthcare. His vision of a world where quality healthcare is accessible to all continues to inspire medical professionals and policymakers globally.
This post was created with our nice and easy submission form. Create your post!
