Even if the common presumption that there is a lot of bad in the world, so is there a lot of good too. Humanitarian and philanthropists exist in various corners of the earth diligently and selflessly working for the uplift of the needy and those who can’t really afford medical care.
One such man is man is Doctor Sanduk Ruit the 62 year doctor who restored eyesight to many. Doctor Ruit is an ophthalmologist who has miraculously restored eyesight to at least 1,00, 000 people. The significance of this is that it is the highest number of eye cases in history where eyesight has been restored. Dr Ruit is now an internationally acclaimed figure and one of the most important faces in the fight for blindness in the world.
Doctor Ruit’s mammoth feat has become the subject of documentaries and films the world over. He was also appointed as an honorary officer of the order of Australia for his humanitarian service in restoring eyesight and establishing eye care services in Nepal and its surrounding countries. He has also been instrumental in training surgeons and teaching doctors to do the same. Doctor Ruit stated that he was deeply affected by the fact that even minor cataract surgeries could make a big difference in people’s lives by restoring their eyesight. It was the emotional moment of a blind lady who saw for the first time that inspired him to his calling.
At first Doctor Ruit had faced several hardships. In an interview he stated, “I simply had no choice but to face the hardships. There were no alternatives, and I have always learnt that hardships only strengthen your tolerance, willpower, and commitment to society. I have somehow developed all of this out of my hardships”.
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Dr. Ruit claims that if blindness can be eradicated in Nepal the same can be done anywhere in the world too. When asked what are his biggest challenges in his profession and quest he replied that doctors form a developing country are always questioned on their credibility. The lack of resources and medical technology means doctors have to put in double efforts to prove themselves in comparison to their western counterparts. This is why Dr Ruit decided to be a trendsetter to prove and vindicate himself in the eyes of the western world and his work has done just that.
Doctor Ruit has always advocated the fact that low cost medical technology can also be used to its maximum effect for positive results. He has proved this in the last 25 years by establishing sustainable eye care and training models through standardized surgical delivery systems. Such efforts that have provided eye care with the minimum infrastructure is now a subject of international studies that have been published in medical journals worldwide.
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Doctor Sandak Ruit’s unique system consists of small incision cataract surgery that utilizes inexpensive intraocular lenses that are affordable by common folk. It is this system that has helped thousands of Nepalis regain their eyesight. In 2006 he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay award for his pioneering efforts in surgical eye care.
This amazing doctor who has restored eyesight to many has also been to North Korea, Indonesia, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Ghana where he has delivered successful eye care to the needy of those countries. His work in North Korea was also a subject of a National Geographic documentary.
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According to Doctor who has restored eyesight to thousands of people, good governance is the key to an equally good state sponsored health care system that delivers to the public. However he also feels that a private –public partnership is even more powerfully equipped to meet the demands of eye care in the 21st century where poorer communities can also benefit from high quality resources of eye care.
In countries such as India, Doctor Ruit feels that the tough medical education system is too lengthy and several factors impede the success of doctors. Such factors can only change slowly when digitization of the healthcare system takes over. In his own words “I do feel that our days are numbered and destiny has given us certain mandate. Medical treatment allows us to be very fortunate to deliver this to millions and I feel indebted to contribute to society. I hope medical students around the world feel the same”.
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