9 June 2008

A Tribute to K.R. Murthy, Founder and Managing Director of Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology

Ujjivan pays respectful tribute to the late Dr. K. Ramachandra Murthy, Founder of Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology. Vittala has been a partner since inception and has conducted eye camps, cataract operations, and provided eye glasses for thousands of our customers and family members in Karnataka. The following tribute is written by Subbakrishna Rao who is responsible for the partnership with Ujjivan.

Dr.K.R.Murthy, 63, graduated from Bangalore University and completed his higher studies form Royal College of Surgeons - London, U.K. Soon after the completion of his FRCS studies he dedicated his services to Prabha Eye Clinic & Research Centre since 1970. Apart from this, he has also worked as an Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, St. John's Medical College and Hospital and as Honorable Neuro-Ophthalmology consultant at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore.

He was a respected teacher and researcher in ophthalmology besides being an expert clinician and surgeon. He was also the Medical Director of Vittala International Institute of Ophthalmology and Director of the Jyothi Lasik Vision Center.He headed the Glaucoma, Cornea, Oculoplasty and Cataract clinics at both PEC and VIIO. He was also a pioneer bringing to India many cutting edge treatments and regimens and instead of creating monopolies for himself he went around the country training more and more people in these methods.

He has been a recipient of many awards and accolades besides being a fellow of many professional bodies including the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. He was also a past president and a leading light of the Karnataka Ophthalmic Society.

Apart from his medical interests he was interested in organic farming and music.

More than all his achievements he was committed to the needs of all his fellow human beings and held the belief that anyone seeking his services or those of his institutes should be given the best possible care irrespective of their ability to pay.He was deeply spiritual without being religious or ritualistic.

This zeal led him to establish VIIO with the motto "Shraddhai Paramagathihi" "Dedication is the ultimate goal" with the major aims of clinical work, Community Outreach, Training and Research with the patient being the focus of all his efforts at all times.

"When I brought the proposal to tie up with Ujjivan to him all that he asked me was "Are you convinced that your efforts will make a difference?" A simple yes from me was all it took for him to plunge into it with gusto. It reflected the trust that he had in each and every person who worked with and for him. I have known him since 1982 since my days as a callow school going kid. I have not discerned an iota of change in his attitude towards life during this time.

Today I believe that society at large and those who knew him in particular are poorer without his guding hands. However, the lessons and ethics that he ingrained in each of us shall serve as a major motivating factor in realizing his dreams of equitable and affordable health care for all. "

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