2. Aravind Eye Hospital
Named after Sri Aurobindo, the 20th century’s most revered
spiritual leaders
Founded in 1976 by Dr. G. Venkataswamy
Started with 11 beds and 4 medical officer
The largest and most efficient eye care facility in the world
Branches: Madurai, Theni, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore,
Puducherry, Dindigul, Tirupur, Salem
Offers 70% subsidized or free treatment for the poor
3. MISSION:
TO ELIMINATE NEEDLESS BLINDNESS
... by providing compassionate and high quality eye care for all -
Hospital Services
... through extending the reach of quality eye care to the poor and
needy – through active community involvement, screening camps,
and IT enabled Vision Centres in rural areas - Community
Outreach
... by developing ophthalmic human resource - Education and
Training
4. ... by making high quality ophthalmic products affordable and
accessible worldwide - AUROLAB
...by providing evidence through research and evolving methods to
translate existing evidence and knowledge into effective action -
AMRF - Research
... through teaching, training, capacity building, advocacy, research
and publications - LAICO
...by reducing corneal blindness through eye banking activities,
training, research and public awareness programme - Eye Bank
5. MILESTONES:
1976 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Madurai
1985 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Theni
1988 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Tirunelveli
1992 – Aurolab – the non-profit charitable trust established
to provide modern technology at affordable costs.
1996 – LAICO (Lions Aravind Institute of Community
Ophthalmology) – teaching and training institute
1997 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Coimbatore
1998 – Rotary Aravind International Eyebank - Madurai
6. 2003 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Pondicherry
2004 – First Primary Examination Center –
Ambasamudram; First Community Eye Clinic at Melur
2007 – Aurolab’s New Facility; Champalimaud Award
2008 – Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute; Gates
Award
2010 – Hilton Humanitarian Prize
7. Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy
Founder chairman of Aravind
Eye Hospital
Born on October 1, 1918
Graduated B.A. In Chemistry at
American College in Madurai
Received Medical Degree from
Stanley Medical College in 1944
Joined the Indian Army Medical
Corps but retire in1948
Masters degree in
Ophthalmology
8. Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Madurai Medical
College
Vice – Dean, Madurai Medical College
Developed the Outreach Eye Camp programmes in 1960
Rehabilitation Center for the blind in 1966
Ophthalmic Assistants Training Program in 1973
Received the Padmashree award in 1973
9. Intelligence and capability are not enough. There must
also be the joy of doing something beautiful. Being of
service to God and humanity means going well beyond
the sophistication of the best technology, to the humble
demonstration of courtesy and compassion to each
patient.
- Dr.G.Venkataswamy
