Sankara Nethralaya Founder Dr SS Badrinath Passes Away

Chennai: Dr SS Badrinath, founder of Chennai’s famous Sankara Nethralaya eye hospital, passed away at the age of 83 on Tuesday.

This renowned vitreoretinal surgeon was ailing for a while.

“Dr. S.S. Badrinath, our visionary Founder, a legend and a caring leader, departed from this life early this morning. The last ceremonies will take place at the Beasant Nagar cremation today around 9.30 a.m. An early statement from the organization stated.

Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath was born in Chennai (formerly Madras) on February 24, 1940. He realized the vagaries of blindness from a young age when a relative who was blind in both eyes came to reside with his family. From very young age, Dr. Badrinath cultivated the desire to become an ophthalmologist.

He received his medical degree from Madras Medical College in 1962 and went abroad to study ophthalmology at Grasslands Hospital, New York University Postgraduate Medical School, and Brooklyn Eye and Ear Infirmary in the United States until 1968. He was employed as a fellow in the vitreoretinal services of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston.

After returning to India in 1970, he served as a consultant for six years at the Voluntary Health Services (VHS), Adyar.

He established his own private practice in vitreoretinal surgery and ophthalmology at the Vijaya Hospital in Chennai (1973–1978) and the H. M. Hospital (1970–1972).

His real spiritual and professional journey started in 1974 when Kanchi Mutt acharya Jayendra Saraswathi discussed the need to establish hospitals in India that offer world-class care for our citizens at affordable costs. After treating his spiritual mentor Chandrasekerendra Saraswathi Swamigal for a cataract, Dr. Badrinath became involved with the Sankara Math and also established the Sankara Nethralaya in 1978 with active guidance of his spiritual mentor.