Indian President confers Padma Shri to Dr. Sanduk Ruit

Noted opthalmologist Dr. Sanduk Ruit was presented Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday. Dr. Ruit, who is the medical director of Tilganga Institute of Opthalmology, is the chairperson of the Barbara Foundation.

President of India tweeted on Monday evening “#PresidentKovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Sanduk Ruit for Medicine (Ophthalmology). He is an AIIMS-educated Nepali Opthalmologist who reduced the cost of cataract eye surgery by 90 per cent. He treats 2,500 patients every week and offers free treatment to those who cannot afford to pay.”

“Dr Ruit, whose innovation in the 1980s led to a 90 percent reduction in the cost of cataract eye surgery, provides low cost cataract surgery lenses to over thirty countries,” said the statement released by the government of India while announcing the award in January, “Treating 2,500 patients every week, fees are waived off for those who cannot afford and in over 30 years has restored eye sight of 10,000 people across Asia and Africa.”