L.V. Prasad Eye Institute founder Dr. G.N. Rao was awarded the Yudhvir Foundation Memorial Award on Sunday for providing quality healthcare to all sections of society.
Dr. Rao, who returned from the US to set up the institute, received the award for achievements in eye care and providing world class treatment to the poor.
The award was presented by retired IAS officer, Narendra Luther, the foundation’s Chairman and Dr. B. Soma Raju, Chairman and Managing Director of CARE Hospitals.
“Dr. Rao returned to India at a time when doctors would be ridiculed to come back to India. He showed success in his endeavour of providing quality eye-care to poorest of the people in our country,” Dr. Raju said while revealing that he and Dr. Rao were classmates during MBBS study in Guntur.
In his award acceptance speech, Dr. Rao stressed up on the need to improve healthcare at primary level.
“Primary healthcare should be given greater attention. It was overlooked in the US too. Though advanced quality healthcare is available, the quality of primary healthcare slacked. This is the situation in India too. Prevention and primary healthcare are essential for the nation’s well-being,” he said.
“From now on, Guntur would not just be known for its chillies, but also for producing luminaries in health care,” Mr. Luther quipped. The award, instituted in the name of Yudhvir, who started the daily, Hindi Milap , to recognise socially-motivate achievements from all walks of life. The award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
