Aravind Eye Cares Vision Centers Reaching Out to the Rural Poor Case Solution

1. What are the key factors that have led to Aravind’s success? 

Dr. Venkataswamy founded Aravind Eye Institution in 1976 as a non-profit private hospital. It provided various kinds of eye operations at reasonable costs. Aravind's success was due to the following elements. To begin with, Dr. V was a magnificent man who was driven to realise his goal of restoring people's ability to perceive the world around them in all its splendour. He is the foundation upon which Aravind Eye Hospital's successes are based. Dr. V worked with unselfish, hardworking people who strongly desired to help others. This resulted in a warm working atmosphere within the hospital, which was the second root that contributed to the institution's success.

Second, Dr. Venkataswamy gave attractive remuneration to workers and physicians in order to recruit the finest performers in their particular classes. In contrast to the bulk of government institutions, the Aravind Eye Hospital prioritised people and their well-being. Furthermore, it strived to provide them with excellent facilities and cutting-edge medical equipment. The quality of treatment provided by a paying hospital was comparable to that provided by a free hospital. Even though the procedure was free, patients were obliged to pay for transportation to the hospital during the program's early years. As a result, the response rate was much below 15%. As a result, they provided the service to patients by hosting multiple eye camps in remote locations. Local businesses or social agencies sponsored these eye camps, and the sponsors donated to pay for the patients' transportation, food, and aphakic spectacles. As a result, they could provide the service to the patients.

Moreover, within a 25-50 mile radius, communities were informed about these eye camps one week to three weeks in advance by newspaper advertising, instructional leaflets, or publicising in the market area. Patients were divided into two groups after completing a series of exams at the base camp: those who needed treatment and those who needed surgery. Patients who required surgical intervention were moved to Aravind Hospital at noon the same day. Furthermore, they called for support groups to which all patients were invited to give them a sense of solidarity and togetherness and ease some of the anxiety associated with surgery. Following the surgery, they would be sent back to their respective villages. Finally, three months following surgery, the patient would be examined by medical specialists and support staff.

2. What has Dr. V's role been in all this?

Dr. V's role has been integral in the development and growth of eye care centres. Dr. Venkataswamy founded and chaired Aravind Eye Hospitals. He was born in Vadamalapuram, Tamil Nadu, 80 km from Madurai, on October 1, 1918. In 1944, he graduated from Stanley Medical College, Chennai. After joining the Indian Army Medical Corps, the rheumatoid disease forced his retirement in 1948. He spent nearly a year bedridden and could not walk or wield a pen. Despite his illness, he completed his medical degree and master's in ophthalmology. Dr. V learned cataract surgery and scalpel handling via hard labour. He eventually performed over 100 procedures a day and over 100,000 successful eye surgeries. Dr. V launched several unique blindness programmes in India while in government service.

Eye care outreach camps (1960), a blind rehabilitation centre (1966), and an ophthalmic assistant training programme (1973). In 1973, India awarded Dr. V the Padmashree for his struggle against blindness. Dr. V started the 11-bed Aravind Eye Hospital in 1976 after retiring from government employment. He died on July 7, 2006. Dr. V's ambition to build the world's finest social enterprise from 11 beds was remarkable. He needed more venture capitalists and funding. He created a viable social entrepreneurship business model day after day. He added beds when needed, and he added floors to make room. He erected more hospitals as needed. He established hospitals in seven nations after India ran out. That is his big dream, and he overcame every obstacle he faced without seeing it as a hurdle.