PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates R Jhunjhunwala Sankara Eye Hospital in Varanasi, Aiming for Accessible Eye Care
Varanasi: The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated the R Jhunjhunwala Sankara Super Specialty Eye Hospital in Varanasi. Developed by Sankara Eye Hospital with the support of the Rakesh Jhunjhunwala Family and Sankara Eye Foundation USA, this new facility aims to provide world-class eye care, particularly to economically weaker sections.
The event was graced by Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Smt Anandiben Patel, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and other dignitaries, including religious leader Jagadguru Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.
The Varanasi facility, the 14th in Sankara's network across India, has been established with an investment of around ₹110 crores. Spread over 1.26 lakh sq. ft., it boasts nine operation theatres and aims to perform 30,000 free eye surgeries annually under a cross-subsidization model.
This model ensures that 25% of the income from paid services will subsidize 75% of surgeries for underprivileged patients.
"The hospital’s approach will enable more people in Varanasi and surrounding regions to access high-quality eye care," said Murali Krishnamurthy, Executive Chairman, Sankara Eye Foundation USA.
Dr R.V. Ramani, Founder of Sankara Eye Foundation, emphasized the hospital’s role in addressing India's significant burden of avoidable blindness. "Our goal is to conduct 5 lakh free surgeries pan-India annually by 2030," he said.
Dr S.V. Balasubramaniam, Chairman of SEFI, highlighted the organization’s focus on expanding eye care infrastructure to underserved regions.
Smt Rekha Jhunjhunwala, representing the Kanchi Kamakoti Medical Trust, expressed her support: "The hospital at Varanasi is another step in aiding different regions of North India."
The hospital will offer specialized treatments across multiple disciplines, including cataract, retina, glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology, oculoplasty, and corneal transplants, along with advanced diagnostic and laboratory services.
Sankara's key initiatives for Uttar Pradesh include the Gift of Vision for rural outreach, the Rainbow program for preventive eye care in schools, and Netra Yagna for comprehensive eye health. The hospital’s reach will expand to eight districts of Uttar Pradesh, with plans to extend to neighbouring states.
Since its inception in 1977, Sankara Eye Foundation has conducted over 2.6 million eye surgeries nationwide.
With a strong network across ten states, it is committed to combating cataract-induced blindness through accessible, affordable, and innovative eye care.