MP Tejasvi Surya Opens Shraddha Eye Care Trust Hospital in Bengaluru to Expand Vision Care for Underserved Communities

Bengaluru's efforts to expand community healthcare received a boost as Member of Parliament Tejasvi Surya formally opened the Shraddha Eye Hospital in Padmanabhanagar. The facility, operated by Shraddha Eye Care Trust—the charitable division of Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospitals—is designed to make quality eye care more accessible and combat preventable blindness in underserved neighbourhoods.

The event drew attendance from Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh, Managing Trustee of Shraddha Eye Care Trust; Dr. Suman Shree R, Trustee; Dr. Sushmitha Sriganesh, Chief Medical Officer; and several key donors backing the initiative.

During his remarks, MP Surya highlighted the scale of impact already achieved. "Over the past few years, Shraddha Charitable Trust through Nethradhama has completed more than 90,000 free eye surgeries for economically weaker patients throughout Karnataka," he noted. "These interventions go beyond medical treatment—they restore dignity, independence, and economic opportunity for thousands of households. The dedication of professionals like Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh and his colleagues continues to uphold the highest standards of the medical profession."

Surya also flagged an emerging health concern. "Doctors have observed an alarming trend: cataract cases are appearing in younger age groups, increasingly linked to lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension developing earlier than historically seen. This underscores that healthcare strategy cannot limit itself to hospital walls. India must engage all stakeholders in a population-wide approach, emphasising prevention, education, and lifestyle modifications to build a healthier nation," he stated.

Nethradhama's charitable arm has operated since 2002 with a specific mandate to reduce healthcare disparities. The organisation's track record demonstrates substantial reach: over 500,000 beneficiaries served, more than 4,000 screening camps conducted, and 90,000 surgeries completed, with emphasis placed on prevention and early intervention across Karnataka's communities.

The Padmanabhanagar facility provides comprehensive services spanning screening, diagnosis, treatment, and surgical procedures, alongside community outreach initiatives throughout the region.

Prof. Dr. Sri Ganesh articulated the organisation's guiding principles at the inauguration. "Our vision is Eye Care for All with a Humane Touch. Our mission is delivering affordable eye care with empathy and kindness, and eliminating avoidable blindness by ensuring quality treatment reaches everyone regardless of financial circumstances," he explained. "Much vision loss is preventable, but this requires better community-level access. Shraddha focuses on making early detection and treatment more readily available. Expanding such centres is crucial for developing a more equitable and prevention-oriented healthcare model in Bengaluru. We appreciate Shri Tejasvi Surya's backing of community healthcare efforts in the city."

Dr. Sushmitha Sriganesh emphasised the role of accessible diagnostics and treatment in charitable healthcare settings. "Through Shraddha Eye Care Trust, we aim to guarantee eye care access, continually integrate cutting-edge technology, and develop ophthalmologists and eye care professionals grounded in healthcare social responsibility and uncompromising quality standards, even within charitable operations," she said.

She further noted eye banking's significance for corneal transplants. "Our Shraddha Eye Bank prioritises raising awareness about eye donation, expanding community access, and building confidence in eye care systems. We are committed to ensuring no patient faces delayed treatment due to restricted access," Dr. Sushmitha added.

The inauguration included free eye screening camps for Padmanabhanagar residents, providing clinical consultations, vision testing, and eyeglass distribution. The approach reflects deliberate alignment between facility expansion and measurable community benefit.

As Bengaluru establishes itself as a regional healthcare centre, organisations like Shraddha Eye Care Trust are instrumental in advancing preventive health services and broadening equitable access to critical care.