Jump to content

Sanduk Ruit: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
revert heavy-handed edit from 14 May that left a scant lead that barely explained why this person is notable, and left the article with no information about how many surgeries he's personally performed - surely his most notable accomplishment
misc. copyedits, trimmed lead, fixed broken links, "Ruitectomy" is not a widely recognised term
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Nepalese ophthalmologist (eye surgeon)}}
{{Short description|Nepalese ophthalmologist}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = SANDUK RUIT
| name = Sanduk Ruit
| native_name = सन्दुक रूइत
| native_name = सन्दुक रूइत
| caption = Ruit in 2011
| caption = Ruit in 2011
Line 7: Line 7:
| image_size =
| image_size =
| birth_place = [[Olangchung Gola]], [[Taplejung District]], [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepal]]
| birth_place = [[Olangchung Gola]], [[Taplejung District]], [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepal]]
| occupation = [[Ophthalmology|Ophthalmologist]] (eye surgeon)
| occupation = [[Ophthalmology|Ophthalmologist]]
| office = Founder and Executive Director of [[Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology]]
| office = Founder and Executive Director of [[Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology]]
| known_for = RUITECTOMY
| spouse = Nanda Ruit
| spouse = Nanda Ruit
| children = 3
| children = 3
Line 19: Line 18:
}}}}
}}}}


'''Sanduk Ruit''' ({{lang-ne|सन्दुक रूइत}}, {{IPA-ne|ˈsʌnduk rui̯t|pron}}) is an [[Ophthalmology|ophthalmologist]] (eye surgeon) from [[Nepal]] who has restored the sight of over 180,000 people<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/lifestyle/health/fred-hollows-protege-sanduk-ruit-the-barefoot-surgeon-20180605-h10zjr|title=Fred Hollows' protege Sanduk Ruit, the barefoot surgeon|last=Gripper|first=Ali|date=June 20, 2018|access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref> across Africa and Asia using small-incision [[cataract surgery]].<ref name=CNN>{{cite web |title=Sight for sore eyes: 'Maverick' doctor who restored the vision of 100,000 people |publisher=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/14/world/asia/nepal-eye-doctor/|access-date=2014-12-17}}</ref> He is the founder and the executive director of the [[Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology]].<ref name=NYT>{{cite news|author1=Nicholas Kristof|author-link1=Nicholas Kristof|title=In 5 Minutes, He Lets the Blind See|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/08/opinion/sunday/in-5-minutes-he-lets-the-blind-see.html|access-date=2015-11-08|work=The New York Times|date=November 7, 2015}}</ref>
'''Sanduk Ruit''' ({{lang-ne|सन्दुक रूइत}}, {{IPA-ne|ˈsʌnduk rui̯t|pron}}, born September 4, 1954) is an [[Ophthalmology|ophthalmologist]] (eye surgeon) from [[Nepal]] who has restored the sight of over 180,000 people<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.afr.com/lifestyle/health/fred-hollows-protege-sanduk-ruit-the-barefoot-surgeon-20180605-h10zjr|title=Fred Hollows' protege Sanduk Ruit, the barefoot surgeon|last=Gripper|first=Ali|date=June 20, 2018|access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref> across Africa and Asia using small-incision [[cataract surgery]].<ref name=CNN>{{cite web |title=Sight for sore eyes: 'Maverick' doctor who restored the vision of 100,000 people |publisher=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/14/world/asia/nepal-eye-doctor/|access-date=2014-12-17}}</ref>


For his work in taking quality, life-transforming cataract surgery to the poorest, he has been referred to as the "God of Sight".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35935864/ns/health-health_care/t/nepalese-doc-god-sight-nations-poor/|title=Nepalese Doc is 'God of Sight' to nation's poor|last=Mason|first=Margie|date=March 21, 2010|work=NBCNews|access-date=2018-10-05}}</ref>
Ruit is the founder and the executive director of the [[Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology]], which manufactures high-quality [[intraocular lenses]] for surgery at a fraction of the price of the previous manufacturing cost. The low cost has made cataract surgeries affordable to the world's poorest people.<ref name=NYT>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/08/opinion/sunday/in-5-minutes-he-lets-the-blind-see.html|title=In 5 minutes, he lets the blind see|last=Kristoff|first=Nicholas|date=2015-11-07|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-10-04}}</ref>


⚫
Ruit has been referred to as the "God of Sight".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35935864/ns/health-health_care/t/nepalese-doc-god-sight-nations-poor/|title=Nepalese Doc is 'God of Sight' to nation's poor|last=Mason|first=Margie|date=March 21, 2010|work=NBCNews|access-date=2018-10-05}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for Peace and International Understanding, considered to be the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for "placing Nepal at the forefront of developing safe, effective, and economical procedures for cataract surgery, enabling the needlessly blind in even the poorest countries to see again."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rmaward.asia/awardees/ruit-sanduk/|title=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref>
In 1994, Dr. Ruit established the [[Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tilganga.org/about-us/|title=About Us: A brief journey of the account thus far...|website=Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|access-date=2018-10-06}}</ref> which provides free treatment to those who cannot afford to pay. It manufactures high-quality [[intraocular lenses]] for surgery at a fraction of the price of its previous manufacturing cost. The extremely low cost of these lenses have made quality cataract surgeries affordable to the poorest population.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/08/opinion/sunday/in-5-minutes-he-lets-the-blind-see.html|title=In 5 minutes, he lets the blind see|last=Kristoff|first=Nicholas|date=2015-11-07|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-10-04}}</ref>

⚫
Ruit was awarded the prestigious [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for Peace and International Understanding, considered to be the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for "placing Nepal at the forefront of developing safe, effective, and economical procedures for cataract surgery, enabling the needlessly blind in even the poorest countries to see again."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rmaward.asia/awardees/ruit-sanduk/|title=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation|access-date=2018-10-01}}</ref>

In 2018, the Government of India awarded him the [[Padma Shri]], its fourth highest civilian award, for “[his] innovation in the 1980s [that] led to a 90 percent reduction in the cost of cataract eye surgery, provides low-cost cataract surgery lenses to over thirty countries.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-01-26/nepali-ophthalmologist-sanduk-ruit-bags-indian-padma-shri-award.html|title=Nepali ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit bags Padma Shri Award|date=2018-01-26|work=The Kathmandu Post|access-date=2018-10-07}}</ref>

⚫
His biography ''The Barefoot Surgeon'', authored by Australian writer Ali Gripper, was published in June 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollows.org.nz/news/article/book-release-the-barefoot-surgeon|title=Book release: The Barefoot Surgeon|date=2018-06-26|work=The Fred Hollows Foundation|access-date=2018-10-14}}</ref> This biography's Nepali translation version 'Sanduk Ruit' was published by Fine Print Books in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thuprai.com/news/sanduk-ruit-biography-nepali-book/|title=Book release: Sanduk Ruit (Nepali) |date=2019-09-18|work=Thuprai|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/63303776-the-barefoot-surgeon-the-inspirational-story-of-dr-sanduk-ruit-the-ey|title=Editions of The Barefoot Surgeon: The inspirational story of Dr Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor by Ali Gripper|website=Goodreads.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Ruit was born on September 4, 1954, to rural, illiterate parents; father Sonam Ruit and mother Kesang Ruit, in the remote mountainous village [[Olangchung Gola|Olangchunggola]] in the border with Tibet in [[Taplejung District|Taplejung district]] of northeast Nepal. His village was a tiny cluster of 200 people, located 11,000 feet above the sea level, on the lap of the world's third-highest peak Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is one of the remotest regions of Nepal with no electricity, no school, no health facility, or modern means of communication, and lies blanketed under snow for six to nine months a year. Ruit's family made a subsistence living from small agriculture, petty trading and livestock farming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rmaward.asia/awardees/ruit-sanduk/|title=Ruit, Sanduk|date=2006|website=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation|access-date=2018-10-04}}</ref>
Ruit was born on September 4, 1954, to rural, illiterate parents, father Sonam Ruit and mother Kesang Ruit, in the remote mountainous village [[Olangchung Gola|Olangchunggola]] in the border with Tibet in [[Taplejung District|Taplejung district]] of northeast Nepal. His village of 200 people was located 11,000 feet above the sea level on the lap of the world's third-highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is one of the most remote regions of Nepal with no electricity, school, health facilities or modern means of communication, and lies blanketed under snow for six to nine months a year. Ruit's family made a subsistence living from small agriculture, petty trading and livestock farming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://rmaward.asia/awardees/ruit-sanduk/|title=Ruit, Sanduk|date=2006|website=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation|access-date=2018-10-04}}</ref>


Ruit was the second of his parents’ six children. But he lost his three siblings – elder brother to diarrhea at age three<ref name=bfs>{{Cite book|title=The Barefoot Surgeon: The inspirational story of Dr Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor|last=Gripper|first=Ali|publisher=Allen & Unwin|year=2018|isbn=9781760292706|location=Australia}}</ref>{{rp|3–4}} and younger sister Chundak to fever at age eight. In many interviews, Ruit has mentioned that for him, the most painful was his younger sister Yangla's death. Yangla was his childhood companion, and he was to develop a special bond with her over the years.<ref name=bfs/>{{rp|9}} But she tragically died at a young age of 15 due to [[tuberculosis]] as the family was too poor to afford the best treatment available which could have saved her life. In many interviews, Ruit has said that this loss made a strong mark on him and instilled in him a resolve to become a doctor and work for the poor who would not otherwise have access to healthcare.<ref name=bfs/>{{rp|37–40}}
Ruit was the second of his parents’ six children. He lost three siblings – an elder brother to diarrhea at age three<ref name=bfs>{{Cite book|title=The Barefoot Surgeon: The inspirational story of Dr Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor|last=Gripper|first=Ali|publisher=Allen & Unwin|year=2018|isbn=9781760292706|location=Australia}}</ref>{{rp|3–4}} and younger sister Chundak to fever at age eight. In many interviews, Ruit has mentioned that for him, the most painful was his younger sister Yangla's death. Yangla was his childhood companion, and he was to develop a special bond with her over the years.<ref name=bfs/>{{rp|9}} She died at 15 of [[tuberculosis]] as the family was too poor to afford treatment that could have saved her life. In many interviews, Ruit has said that this loss made a strong mark on him and instilled in him a resolve to become a doctor and work for the poor who would not otherwise have access to healthcare.<ref name=bfs/>{{rp|37–40}}


The nearest school from his village was fifteen days walk away in Darjeeling.<ref name="RMA">{{cite web|url=http://rmaward.asia/rmtli/everyone-deserves-good-vision/|title=Sanduk Ruit: Everyone Deserves Good Vision|date=July 25, 2016|publisher=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation|access-date=2018-01-23|archive-date=2018-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903201400/http://rmaward.asia/rmtli/everyone-deserves-good-vision/|url-status=dead}}</ref> His father, a small-time businessman, placed a priority on providing education to his children, and sent Ruit to [[St. Roberts School, Darjeeling|St Robert's School]] in [[Darjeeling]] at the age of seven, and provided financial support for his early medical career. His life in Darjeeling was hard as he was away from his parents and home for about four-five years. After few years he returned back to Nepal and continued his study. In 1969, Ruit graduated from [[Siddhartha Vanasthali School]] in [[Kathmandu, Nepal]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Dr Sanduk Ruit sang 'Dewa Penglihatan' Bagi Pasien Katarak|url=https://health.detik.com/berita-detikhealth/d-1811820/dr-sanduk-ruit-sang-dewa-penglihatan-bagi-pasien-katarak|access-date=2021-10-04|website=detikHealth|language=id}}</ref> and later was further educated in India. He studied [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MBBS]] from King George's Medical College, [[Lucknow]] with scholarship from 1972 to 1976. After getting MBBS degree, he finally achieved his and his father's dream of becoming a doctor. Ruit then returned back to Nepal and worked as a [[General practitioner|General Physician]] in [[Bir Hospital]], [[Kathmandu]] for three years. Later he wanted to specialize in the field of ophthalmology, so he continued his further studies from 1981 at the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi]] with scholarship and achieved his [[Master's degree|Master's Degree]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gripper|first=Ali|date=2019-11-08|title=I can feel their pain: Dr. Sanduk Ruit|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/i-can-feel-their-pain-dr-sanduk-ruit/article29919398.ece|access-date=2021-10-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> After three years in 1984 he returned back to Nepal and worked in an eye hospital in [[Tripureshwor]] for eight years. Meanwhile Australian ophthalmologist Dr.Fred hollows was in Nepal as a mentor, selected by WHO. He noticed Ruit's work and determination and offered him to further study about [[Cataract surgery]] in Australia in 1986.<ref name="RMA" /> He studied in the Australia, Netherlands and the United States, and was mentored by [[Ophthalmology|ophthalmologist]] Professor [[Fred Hollows]].<ref name=RMA/>
The nearest school from his village was fifteen days' walk away in Darjeeling.<ref name="RMA">{{cite web|url=http://rmaward.asia/rmtli/everyone-deserves-good-vision/|title=Sanduk Ruit: Everyone Deserves Good Vision|date=July 25, 2016|publisher=Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation|access-date=2018-01-23|archive-date=2018-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903201400/http://rmaward.asia/rmtli/everyone-deserves-good-vision/|url-status=dead}}</ref> His father, a small-time businessman, sent Ruit to [[St. Roberts School, Darjeeling|St Robert's School]] in [[Darjeeling]] at the age of seven, and provided financial support for his early medical career. Ruit's life in Darjeeling was hard as he was away from his parents and home for about four-five years. After a few years he returned to Nepal and continued his study. In 1969, Ruit graduated from [[Siddhartha Vanasthali School]] in [[Kathmandu, Nepal]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Dr Sanduk Ruit sang 'Dewa Penglihatan' Bagi Pasien Katarak|url=https://health.detik.com/berita-detikhealth/d-1811820/dr-sanduk-ruit-sang-dewa-penglihatan-bagi-pasien-katarak|access-date=2021-10-04|website=detikHealth|language=id}}</ref> and later was further educated in India. He studied a [[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery]] from King George's Medical College, [[Lucknow]] with scholarship from 1972 to 1976. Ruit then returned to Nepal and worked as a [[General practitioner|General Physician]] in [[Bir Hospital]], [[Kathmandu]] for three years. Later he wanted to specialize in ophthalmology, so he continued his studies from 1981 at the [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi]] with a scholarship and achieved his [[Master's degree|Master's Degree]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gripper|first=Ali|date=2019-11-08|title=I can feel their pain: Dr. Sanduk Ruit|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/i-can-feel-their-pain-dr-sanduk-ruit/article29919398.ece|access-date=2021-10-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> After three years in 1984 he returned to Nepal and worked in an eye hospital in [[Tripureshwor]] for eight years. Meanwhile Australian ophthalmologist [[Fred hollows]] was in Nepal as a mentor, selected by WHO. He noticed Ruit's work and determination and offered him further study about [[cataract surgery]] in Australia in 1986.<ref name="RMA" /> Ruit further studied in Australia, Netherlands and the United States.<ref name=RMA/>


== Early career and marriage ==
== Early career and marriage ==
While being in Australia, Ruit gained further deep specialization in eye surgery. Ruit and Hollows created the Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) which used [[Intraocular lens|intraocular lenses]] which made Ruit first Nepali doctor to use intraocular lenses. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanduk Ruit, MD Co-Founder of HCP |url=https://www.cureblindness.org/who-we-are/founders/dr-sanduk-ruit |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=www.cureblindness.org}}</ref> With the motive to gain some donations to make eye surgeries more affordable and accessible in Nepal, he established Nepal Eye Program Australia, later renamed as [[The Fred Hollows Foundation|Fred Hollows foundation]]. He was offered to stay and work in Australia, but he returned back to his home country and continued to work in Tripureshwor eye hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Class- 10 Nepali Book Pages 1-50 - Flip PDF Download {{!}} FlipHTML5 |url=https://fliphtml5.com/bhwwt/afxd/basic/ |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=fliphtml5.com}}</ref> He later married to Nanda Shrestha, an ophthalmic nurse in 1987.{{cn|date=May 2022}} He has three children: one son and two daughters. After getting married he visited different remote places of Nepal where he utilized the SICS procedure to provide good quality eye care. Dr Ruit and his team often trekked and camped to different remote places of Nepal to perform suturelessly to treat cataracts of people there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanduk Ruit, MD Co-Founder of HCP |url=https://www.cureblindness.org/who-we-are/founders/dr-sanduk-ruit |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=www.cureblindness.org}}</ref>However, it was still expensive to use on a wider scale. So, in 1995, Ruit developed an international standard intraocular lens which was just a fraction of the price of the ones produced in the developed world.
While in Australia, Ruit gained further deep specialization in eye surgery. Ruit and Hollows created the Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) which used [[intraocular lens]]es, and Ruit became the first Nepali doctor to use intraocular lenses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanduk Ruit, MD Co-Founder of HCP |url=https://www.cureblindness.org/who-we-are/founders/dr-sanduk-ruit |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=www.cureblindness.org |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526103702/https://www.cureblindness.org/who-we-are/founders/dr-sanduk-ruit |archivedate=2022-05-26}}</ref> To gain donations to make eye surgeries more affordable and accessible in Nepal, he established Nepal Eye Program Australia, later renamed [[The Fred Hollows Foundation]]. He was offered to stay and work in Australia, but he returned to Nepal and continued to work in Tripureshwor eye hospital.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Class- 10 Nepali Book Pages 1-50 - Flip PDF Download {{!}} FlipHTML5 |url=https://fliphtml5.com/bhwwt/afxd/basic/ |access-date=2022-05-11 |website=fliphtml5.com}}</ref>


Ruit married to Nanda Shrestha, an ophthalmic nurse in 1987.{{cn|date=May 2022}} He has one son and two daughters.
==Accomplishments==
==Accomplishments==
Working in Australia in 1986, Ruit and [[Fred Hollows]] developed a strategy for using inexpensive intraocular lenses to bring small-incision cataract surgery to the developing world.<ref name=healio>{{cite web |url=http://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/news/print/ocular-surgery-news-asia-pacific-edition/%7B8ec07d3b-a963-4a73-a770-0b06574ff9a0%7D/surgeon-brings-innovative-techniques-to-ophthalmologists-worldwide |publisher=Ocular Surgery News |title=Surgeon brings innovative techniques to ophthalmologists worldwide |date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=2018-01-23}}</ref> However, the lenses remained too expensive for many cataract patients. In 1995, Ruit developed a new intraocular lens that could be produced far more cheaply and which, as of 2010, is used in over 60 countries.<ref name=healio/> Ruit's method is now taught in U.S. medical schools.<ref name=NYT/> Despite being far cheaper, Ruit's method has the same success rate as western techniques: 98% at six months.<ref name=NYT/>
Working in Australia in 1986, Ruit and [[Fred Hollows]] developed a strategy for using inexpensive intraocular lenses to bring small-incision cataract surgery to the developing world.<ref name=healio>{{cite web |url=http://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/news/print/ocular-surgery-news-asia-pacific-edition/%7B8ec07d3b-a963-4a73-a770-0b06574ff9a0%7D/surgeon-brings-innovative-techniques-to-ophthalmologists-worldwide |publisher=Ocular Surgery News |title=Surgeon brings innovative techniques to ophthalmologists worldwide |date=June 1, 2010 |access-date=2018-01-23}}</ref> However, the lenses remained too expensive for many cataract patients. In 1995, Ruit developed a new intraocular lens that could be produced far more cheaply and which, as of 2010, is used in over 60 countries.<ref name=healio/> Ruit's method is now taught in U.S. medical schools.<ref name=NYT/> Despite being far cheaper, Ruit's method has the same success rate as western techniques: 98% at six months.<ref name=NYT/>
⚫
In 1994,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tilganga.org/|title=Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|website=Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|access-date=2017-10-06}}</ref> Dr. Ruit founded the [[Tilganga Eye Center]], now called the [[Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology]], in Kathmandu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollows.org/au/latest/sight-restored-to-187-people-in-remote-nepal |title=Sight restored to 187 people in remote Nepal |publisher=[[The Fred Hollows Foundation]] |access-date=2018-01-23 |date=2010 }}</ref> It aims to provide eye care for patients worldwide at an affordable price. Ruit credits his wife as being a pillar of strength to him in his difficult days while pursuing Tilganga.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 24, 2010 |title=Bringing Sight To Millions |url=http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/printable_news.php?news_id=17846 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726053048/http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/printable_news.php?news_id=17846 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |publisher=Nepal Republic Media}}</ref> The institute works closely with the [[Himalayan Cataract Project]] and other organizations to give cataract surgery to people in some of the world's most perilous and inaccessible locations, frequently for free. Tilganga has performed over 100,000 operations and trained over 500 medical personnel from around the world, and produces Ruit's intraocular lenses at a cost of less than US$5 each.<ref name="RMA" /> It also produces prosthetic eyes for US$3, compared to imports that cost $150.<ref name="NYT" /> For those unable to reach the center, or who live in otherwise isolated rural areas, Ruit and his team set up mobile eye camps, often using tents, classrooms, and even animal stables as makeshift operating rooms.<ref name="CNN" />


⚫
After treating a North Korean diplomat in Kathmandu, Ruit persuaded North Korean authorities to let him visit in 2006.<ref name=CNN/> There he conducted surgery on 1000 patients and trained many local surgeons. However, many of the citizens attributed the restoration of their sight to the supreme leader of North Korea at the time, [[Kim Jong-il]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Inside_-_Undercover_in_North_Korea|title=Inside - Undercover in North Korea - DocuWiki|website=Docuwiki.net|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
⚫
In 1994,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tilganga.org/|title=Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|website=Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology|access-date=2017-10-06}}</ref> Dr. Ruit founded the [[Tilganga Eye Center]], now called the [[Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology]], in Kathmandu.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollows.org/au/latest/sight-restored-to-187-people-in-remote-nepal |title=Sight restored to 187 people in remote Nepal |publisher=[[The Fred Hollows Foundation]] |access-date=2018-01-23 |date=2010 }}</ref> It aims to provide high quality and effective eye care for patients worldwide at an affordable price. Ruit credits his wife as being a pillar of strength to him in his difficult days while pursuing Tilganga.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 24, 2010 |title=Bringing Sight To Millions |url=http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/printable_news.php?news_id=17846 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726053048/http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/printable_news.php?news_id=17846 |archive-date=July 26, 2011 |publisher=Nepal Republic Media}}</ref> The institute works closely with the Himalayan Cataract Project and other organizations to give cataract surgery to people in some of the world's most perilous and inaccessible locations, frequently for free. Tilganga has performed over 100,000 operations and trained over 500 medical personnel from around the world, and produces Ruit's intraocular lenses at a cost of less than US$5 each.<ref name="RMA" /> It also produces prosthetic eyes for US$3, compared to imports that cost $150.<ref name="NYT" /> For those unable to reach the center, or who live in otherwise isolated rural areas, Ruit and his team set up mobile eye camps, often using tents, classrooms, and even animal stables as makeshift operating rooms.<ref name="CNN" />

⚫
After treating a North Korean diplomat in Kathmandu, Ruit persuaded North Korean authorities to let him visit in 2006.<ref name=CNN/> There he conducted surgery on 1000 patients and trained many local surgeons. However, many of the citizens attributed the restoration of their sight to the current supreme leader of North Korea at the time, [[Kim Jong-il]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docuwiki.net/index.php?title=Inside_-_Undercover_in_North_Korea|title=Inside - Undercover in North Korea - DocuWiki|website=Docuwiki.net|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>


In April 2021, Ruit launched the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation<ref>{{Cite web|last=Times|first=Nepali|title=Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation|url=https://www.nepalitimes.com/business/tej-kohli-ruit-foundation/|access-date=2021-09-30|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=In Pictures: Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor seeks to expand work|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/4/21/nepals-god-of-sight-eye-doctor-to-expand-work-beyond-border|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> with a mission to screen 1,000,000 people and cure 300,000 of cataract blindness by 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor to expand work beyond border|url=https://apnews.com/article/world-news-kathmandu-nepal-cataracts-e1bfc370318c06163b7aa6f40e7e022c|access-date=2021-09-30|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref> In March 2021, the foundation conducted its first microsurgical outreach camp in the [[Lumbini]] region of Nepal, where it screened 1,387 patients and cured 312 of blindness.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor to expand work beyond border|url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/asia/nepal/nepals-god-of-sight-eye-doctor-to-expand-work-beyond-border/ar-BB1fqhGp|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Msn.com}}</ref> Another camp in the [[Solukhumbu District|Solukhumbu]] region screened 1,214 patients and cured 178 of blindness in April 2021.
In April 2021, Ruit launched the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation<ref>{{Cite web|last=Times|first=Nepali|title=Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation|url=https://www.nepalitimes.com/business/tej-kohli-ruit-foundation/|access-date=2021-09-30|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=In Pictures: Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor seeks to expand work|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2021/4/21/nepals-god-of-sight-eye-doctor-to-expand-work-beyond-border|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> with a mission to screen 1,000,000 people and cure 300,000 of cataract blindness by 2026.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor to expand work beyond border|url=https://apnews.com/article/world-news-kathmandu-nepal-cataracts-e1bfc370318c06163b7aa6f40e7e022c|access-date=2021-09-30|website=AP NEWS|language=en}}</ref> In March 2021, the foundation conducted its first microsurgical outreach camp in the [[Lumbini]] region of Nepal, where it screened 1,387 patients and cured 312 of blindness.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor to expand work beyond border|url=https://www.msn.com/en-xl/asia/nepal/nepals-god-of-sight-eye-doctor-to-expand-work-beyond-border/ar-BB1fqhGp|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Msn.com}}</ref> Another camp in the [[Solukhumbu District|Solukhumbu]] region screened 1,214 patients and cured 178 of blindness in April 2021.


== Media coverage ==
== Media coverage ==
Dozens of documentaries, news reports, features, and articles by the top international media from around the world have covered Ruit's work, particularly his eye camps in remote parts.
⚫
* Surgeon Dr. Sanduk Ruit revolutionizing cataract surgery gives sight to thousands, 2018 feature story by Miranda Wood on The Daily Telegraph


⚫
* "Surgeon Dr. Sanduk Ruit revolutionizing cataract surgery gives sight to thousands", 2018 feature story by Miranda Wood on ''The Daily Telegraph''
* A 2006 [[National Geographic Channel|National Geographic]] documentary ''Inside North Korea'' documented not only Ruit's surgery in the highly controlled country but also the resulting overt adulation by the patients given to the then-Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [[Kim Jong-il]].
* A 2006 [[National Geographic Channel|National Geographic]] documentary ''Inside North Korea'' documented not only Ruit's surgery in the highly controlled country but also the resulting overt adulation by the patients given to the then-Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [[Kim Jong-il]].

* Ruit's work in Nepal featured in Episode 5 (''Mountains – Life in Thin Air'') of the 2010 BBC documentary series ''[[Human Planet]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollows.org/|title=Australian charity ending avoidable blindness |publisher=The Fred Hollows Foundation|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
* Ruit's work in Nepal featured in Episode 5 (''Mountains – Life in Thin Air'') of the 2010 BBC documentary series ''[[Human Planet]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollows.org/|title=Australian charity ending avoidable blindness |publisher=The Fred Hollows Foundation|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>

* ''Out of the Darkness'', a 2011 film by Italian director Stefano Levi, documents Ruit's work in remote Northern Nepal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outofthedarkness-film.com|title=Out of the Darkness |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626195757/http://www.outofthedarkness-film.com/|archive-date=June 26, 2017}}</ref>
* ''Out of the Darkness'', a 2011 film by Italian director Stefano Levi, documents Ruit's work in remote Northern Nepal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outofthedarkness-film.com|title=Out of the Darkness |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626195757/http://www.outofthedarkness-film.com/|archive-date=June 26, 2017}}</ref>
* In 2015, Ruit and his work featured in a ''[[New York Times]]'' op-ed by [[Nicholas Kristof]]: "In 5 Minutes, He Lets the Blind See". The article was based on reporting in Nepal by Kristof and Austin Meyer, a graduate journalism student at Stanford University, during the trip with the winner of the 2015 ''New York Times'' [[Nicholas Kristof#Win-a-Trip with Nick Kristof contest|Win a Trip with Nick Kristof contest]].<ref name="NYT" />
* In 2015, Ruit and his work featured in a ''[[New York Times]]'' op-ed by [[Nicholas Kristof]]: "In 5 Minutes, He Lets the Blind See". The article was based on reporting in Nepal by Kristof and Austin Meyer, a graduate journalism student at Stanford University, during the trip with the winner of the 2015 ''New York Times'' [[Nicholas Kristof#Win-a-Trip with Nick Kristof contest|Win a Trip with Nick Kristof contest]].<ref name="NYT" />
* ABC Radio interview for ABC Conversations The doctor known as the ‘God of Sight’", by Richard Fidler (2018)"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/conversations-sanduk-ruit/9941582|title=The doctor known as 'the God of Sight'|date=5 July 2018|website=Abc.net.au|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* ABC Radio interview for ''ABC Conversations'', "The doctor known as the ‘God of Sight’", by Richard Fidler (2018)"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/conversations-sanduk-ruit/9941582|title=The doctor known as 'the God of Sight'|date=5 July 2018|website=Abc.net.au|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* CBS News article by Bill Whitaker, Restoring eyesight with a simple, inexpensive surgery (2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fighting-preventable-blindness-in-burma-and-beyond/|title=Restoring eyesight with a simple, inexpensive surgery|website=Cbsnews.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* ''CBS News'' article by Bill Whitaker, "Restoring eyesight with a simple, inexpensive surgery" (2017)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fighting-preventable-blindness-in-burma-and-beyond/|title=Restoring eyesight with a simple, inexpensive surgery|website=Cbsnews.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* CNN article Sight for sore eyes: 'Maverick' doctor who restored the vision of 100,000 people by Sophie Brown (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/14/world/asia/nepal-eye-doctor/index.html|title=Nepalese eye doctor restored vision of 100,000 people|author=Sophie Brown|website=Cnn.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* ''CNN'' article "Sight for sore eyes: 'Maverick' doctor who restored the vision of 100,000 people" by Sophie Brown (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/14/world/asia/nepal-eye-doctor/index.html|title=Nepalese eye doctor restored vision of 100,000 people|author=Sophie Brown|website=Cnn.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* CNN photos Nepal Miracle Eye Doctor heals 100, 000 (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/11/asia/gallery/nepal-eye-doctor/index.html|title=Nepal's miracle eye doctor heals 100,000|website=Cnn|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* ''CNN'' photos "Nepal Miracle Eye Doctor heals 100,000" (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/11/asia/gallery/nepal-eye-doctor/index.html|title=Nepal's miracle eye doctor heals 100,000|website=Cnn|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* National Geographic documentary Miracle Doctors: Curing Blindness<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8d_aFkoJLA|title=cureblindness.org - NG1|access-date=5 February 2022|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
* ''National Geographic'' documentary "Miracle Doctors: Curing Blindness"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8d_aFkoJLA|title=cureblindness.org - NG1|access-date=5 February 2022|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
* Al Jazeera documentary The Gift of Sight (2014)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2014/07/gift-sight-201471574440164234.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-11-13 |archive-date=2018-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114060145/https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2014/07/gift-sight-201471574440164234.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* ''Al Jazeera'' documentary "The Gift of Sight" (2014)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2014/07/gift-sight-201471574440164234.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-11-13 |archive-date=2018-11-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114060145/https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2014/07/gift-sight-201471574440164234.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Reuters feature Nepal's "magic" surgeon brings light back to poor (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nepal-eyes-idUSBRE84100T20120502|title=Nepal's "magic" surgeon brings light back to poor|date=2 May 2012|access-date=5 February 2022|website=Reuters.com}}</ref>
* ''Reuters'' feature "Nepal's 'magic' surgeon brings light back to poor" (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nepal-eyes-idUSBRE84100T20120502|title=Nepal's "magic" surgeon brings light back to poor|date=2 May 2012|access-date=5 February 2022|website=Reuters.com}}</ref>
* Mini documentary By [[Great Big Story]] This Surgeon Has Restored Sight to 130,000 of Nepal's Blind (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVCfYGJV_2s|title=This Surgeon Has Restored Sight to 130,000 Blind People|access-date=5 February 2022|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
* Mini documentary by ''[[Great Big Story]]'' "This Surgeon Has Restored Sight to 130,000 of Nepal's Blind" (2019)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVCfYGJV_2s|title=This Surgeon Has Restored Sight to 130,000 Blind People|access-date=5 February 2022|via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
Daily US Times feature Nas Daily Discovers Dr. Sanduk Ruit: He Is The God Of Sight (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyustimes.com/dr-sanduk-ruit-is-the-god-of-sight/|title=Nas Daily Discovers Dr. Sanduk Ruit: He Is The God Of Sight|website=Dailyustimes.com|date=25 January 2020|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
* ''Daily US Times'' feature "Nas Daily Discovers Dr. Sanduk Ruit: He Is The God Of Sight" (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyustimes.com/dr-sanduk-ruit-is-the-god-of-sight/|title=Nas Daily Discovers Dr. Sanduk Ruit: He Is The God Of Sight|website=Dailyustimes.com|date=25 January 2020|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>
⚫
Ruit's biography, ''The Barefoot Surgeon'' by Australian writer Ali Gripper, was published in June 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollows.org.nz/news/article/book-release-the-barefoot-surgeon|title=Book release: The Barefoot Surgeon|date=2018-06-26|work=The Fred Hollows Foundation|access-date=2018-10-14}}</ref> A Nepali translation ''Sanduk Ruit'' was published by Fine Print Books in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thuprai.com/news/sanduk-ruit-biography-nepali-book/|title=Book release: Sanduk Ruit (Nepali) |date=2019-09-18|work=Thuprai|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/63303776-the-barefoot-surgeon-the-inspirational-story-of-dr-sanduk-ruit-the-ey|title=Editions of The Barefoot Surgeon: The inspirational story of Dr Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor by Ali Gripper|website=Goodreads.com|access-date=5 February 2022}}</ref>

==Awards and honor==
==Awards and honor==


* In May 2007, Ruit was appointed an Honorary Officer of the [[Order of Australia]], "for service to humanity by establishing eye care services in Nepal and surrounding countries, and for his work in teaching and training surgeons, and technical innovation".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1134622&search_type=simple&showInd=true|title=It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours|website=Itsanhonour.gov.au|access-date=2017-10-26|archive-date=2017-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027024627/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1134622&search_type=simple&showInd=true|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* In May 2007, Ruit was appointed an Honorary Officer of the [[Order of Australia]], "for service to humanity by establishing eye care services in Nepal and surrounding countries, and for his work in teaching and training surgeons, and technical innovation".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1134622&search_type=simple&showInd=true|title=It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours|website=Itsanhonour.gov.au|access-date=2017-10-26|archive-date=2017-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027024627/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1134622&search_type=simple&showInd=true|url-status=dead}}</ref>


* In June 2006, he was awarded the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award]] for peace and nobel understanding also known as Asia's Nobel Prize.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationRuitSan.htm|title=The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation • Honoring greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in Asia|website=Rmaf.org.ph|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
* In June 2006, he was awarded the [[Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationRuitSan.htm|publisher=The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation |title=The 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding − Citation for Sanduk Ruit |date=August 31, 2006 |access-date=2017-10-26 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708185357/http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Citation/CitationRuitSan.htm |archivedate=2012-07-08}}</ref>


[[File:The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss presenting the Reader’s Digest “Asian of the Year 2007” award, to Dr. Sanduk Ruit, an eminent eye surgeon from Nepal, in New Delhi on March 05, 2007.jpg|thumb|Dr. Ruit receiving Asian of the year award.]]
[[File:The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss presenting the Reader’s Digest “Asian of the Year 2007” award, to Dr. Sanduk Ruit, an eminent eye surgeon from Nepal, in New Delhi on March 05, 2007.jpg|thumb|Ruit receiving the Asian of the year award]]


* In March 5,2007, he was awarded the Asian of the year 2007 by the Union Minister of health and family welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in New Delhi.
* In March 5,2007, he was awarded the Asian of the year 2007 by the Union Minister of health and family welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in New Delhi.
Line 85: Line 75:
* On December 17, 2015, he was conferred with the [[National Order of Merit (Bhutan)|National Order of Merit of Bhutan]] [in Gold].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=55360|title=His Majesty awards National Order of Merit – BBS|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
* On December 17, 2015, he was conferred with the [[National Order of Merit (Bhutan)|National Order of Merit of Bhutan]] [in Gold].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbs.bt/news/?p=55360|title=His Majesty awards National Order of Merit – BBS|date=December 17, 2015|access-date=2017-10-26}}</ref>
* On October 27, 2016, he received an [[Asia Game Changer Award]] from the [[Asia Society]] "for bringing the gifts of sight, and productive life, to those most in need."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2016/09/13/nepali-eye-surgeon-sanduk-ruit-among-recipients-2016-asia-game-changers-award/|title=Nepali eye surgeon Sanduk Ruit among recipients of the 2016 Asia Game Changers award|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=September 13, 2016|work=The American Bazaar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926191303/http://www.americanbazaaronline.com:80/2016/09/13/nepali-eye-surgeon-sanduk-ruit-among-recipients-2016-asia-game-changers-award|archive-date=September 26, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2020}}</ref>
* On October 27, 2016, he received an [[Asia Game Changer Award]] from the [[Asia Society]] "for bringing the gifts of sight, and productive life, to those most in need."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2016/09/13/nepali-eye-surgeon-sanduk-ruit-among-recipients-2016-asia-game-changers-award/|title=Nepali eye surgeon Sanduk Ruit among recipients of the 2016 Asia Game Changers award|author=<!--Not stated-->|date=September 13, 2016|work=The American Bazaar|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926191303/http://www.americanbazaaronline.com:80/2016/09/13/nepali-eye-surgeon-sanduk-ruit-among-recipients-2016-asia-game-changers-award|archive-date=September 26, 2016|access-date=September 15, 2020}}</ref>
* In 2018, the Government of India honoured him with the [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth-highest civilian honour.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/these-are-the-unsung-heroes-in-padma-shri-awards-list-1804833|title=These Are The Unsung Heroes In The 2018 Padma Shri Awards List|work=NDTV.com|date=January 25, 2018|access-date=2018-01-25}}</ref>
* In 2018, the Government of India awarded him the [[Padma Shri]], its fourth highest civilian award, for “[his] innovation in the 1980s [that] led to a 90 percent reduction in the cost of cataract eye surgery, provides low-cost cataract surgery lenses to over thirty countries.”<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-01-26/nepali-ophthalmologist-sanduk-ruit-bags-indian-padma-shri-award.html|title=Nepali ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit bags Padma Shri Award|date=2018-01-26|work=The Kathmandu Post|access-date=2018-10-07}}</ref>
* In September 2020, Nepal Government announced Dr Sanduk Ruit, will be honoured with Suprasiddha Prabal Janasewashree (first).[https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/govt-announces-list-of-594-persons-for-state-honours/ Govt announces list of 594 persons for state honours]
* In September 2020, Nepal Government announced Dr Sanduk Ruit, will be honoured with Suprasiddha Prabal Janasewashree (first).[https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/govt-announces-list-of-594-persons-for-state-honours/ Govt announces list of 594 persons for state honours]


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
* Ali Gripper (2019), [https://penguin.co.in/book/the-barefoot-surgeon/ "The Barefoot Surgeon : The inspirational story of Dr. Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor"], India: Penguin Random House India. ISBN 9780143447429.
* Ali Gripper (2019), [https://penguin.co.in/book/the-barefoot-surgeon/ "The Barefoot Surgeon : The inspirational story of Dr. Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor"], India: Penguin Random House India. ISBN 9780143447429.

==See also==
* [[Fred Hollows Foundation]]
* [[Himalayan Cataract Project]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 04:15, 6 December 2022

Sanduk Ruit
सन्दुक रूइत
Ruit in 2011
Born
Olangchung Gola, Taplejung District, Nepal
Alma materKing George's Medical College (University of Lucknow)
All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
OccupationOphthalmologist
OfficeFounder and Executive Director of Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
SpouseNanda Ruit
Children3
AwardsHonorary Officer of the Order of Australia
Ramon Magsaysay Award
Padma Shri
Medical career
Sub-specialtiesCornea and Cataract
Websitetilganga.org

Sanduk Ruit (Nepali: सन्दुक रूइत, pronounced [ˈsʌnduk rui̯t], born September 4, 1954) is an ophthalmologist (eye surgeon) from Nepal who has restored the sight of over 180,000 people[1] across Africa and Asia using small-incision cataract surgery.[2]

Ruit is the founder and the executive director of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, which manufactures high-quality intraocular lenses for surgery at a fraction of the price of the previous manufacturing cost. The low cost has made cataract surgeries affordable to the world's poorest people.[3]

Ruit has been referred to as the "God of Sight".[4] He was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding, considered to be the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, for "placing Nepal at the forefront of developing safe, effective, and economical procedures for cataract surgery, enabling the needlessly blind in even the poorest countries to see again."[5]

Early life and education

Ruit was born on September 4, 1954, to rural, illiterate parents, father Sonam Ruit and mother Kesang Ruit, in the remote mountainous village Olangchunggola in the border with Tibet in Taplejung district of northeast Nepal. His village of 200 people was located 11,000 feet above the sea level on the lap of the world's third-highest peak, Mt. Kanchenjunga. It is one of the most remote regions of Nepal with no electricity, school, health facilities or modern means of communication, and lies blanketed under snow for six to nine months a year. Ruit's family made a subsistence living from small agriculture, petty trading and livestock farming.[6]

Ruit was the second of his parents’ six children. He lost three siblings – an elder brother to diarrhea at age three[7]: 3–4  and younger sister Chundak to fever at age eight. In many interviews, Ruit has mentioned that for him, the most painful was his younger sister Yangla's death. Yangla was his childhood companion, and he was to develop a special bond with her over the years.[7]: 9  She died at 15 of tuberculosis as the family was too poor to afford treatment that could have saved her life. In many interviews, Ruit has said that this loss made a strong mark on him and instilled in him a resolve to become a doctor and work for the poor who would not otherwise have access to healthcare.[7]: 37–40 

The nearest school from his village was fifteen days' walk away in Darjeeling.[8] His father, a small-time businessman, sent Ruit to St Robert's School in Darjeeling at the age of seven, and provided financial support for his early medical career. Ruit's life in Darjeeling was hard as he was away from his parents and home for about four-five years. After a few years he returned to Nepal and continued his study. In 1969, Ruit graduated from Siddhartha Vanasthali School in Kathmandu, Nepal,[9] and later was further educated in India. He studied a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from King George's Medical College, Lucknow with scholarship from 1972 to 1976. Ruit then returned to Nepal and worked as a General Physician in Bir Hospital, Kathmandu for three years. Later he wanted to specialize in ophthalmology, so he continued his studies from 1981 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi with a scholarship and achieved his Master's Degree.[9][10] After three years in 1984 he returned to Nepal and worked in an eye hospital in Tripureshwor for eight years. Meanwhile Australian ophthalmologist Fred hollows was in Nepal as a mentor, selected by WHO. He noticed Ruit's work and determination and offered him further study about cataract surgery in Australia in 1986.[8] Ruit further studied in Australia, Netherlands and the United States.[8]

Early career and marriage

While in Australia, Ruit gained further deep specialization in eye surgery. Ruit and Hollows created the Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) which used intraocular lenses, and Ruit became the first Nepali doctor to use intraocular lenses.[11] To gain donations to make eye surgeries more affordable and accessible in Nepal, he established Nepal Eye Program Australia, later renamed The Fred Hollows Foundation. He was offered to stay and work in Australia, but he returned to Nepal and continued to work in Tripureshwor eye hospital.[12]

Ruit married to Nanda Shrestha, an ophthalmic nurse in 1987.[citation needed] He has one son and two daughters.

Accomplishments

Working in Australia in 1986, Ruit and Fred Hollows developed a strategy for using inexpensive intraocular lenses to bring small-incision cataract surgery to the developing world.[13] However, the lenses remained too expensive for many cataract patients. In 1995, Ruit developed a new intraocular lens that could be produced far more cheaply and which, as of 2010, is used in over 60 countries.[13] Ruit's method is now taught in U.S. medical schools.[3] Despite being far cheaper, Ruit's method has the same success rate as western techniques: 98% at six months.[3] In 1994,[14] Dr. Ruit founded the Tilganga Eye Center, now called the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, in Kathmandu.[15] It aims to provide eye care for patients worldwide at an affordable price. Ruit credits his wife as being a pillar of strength to him in his difficult days while pursuing Tilganga.[16] The institute works closely with the Himalayan Cataract Project and other organizations to give cataract surgery to people in some of the world's most perilous and inaccessible locations, frequently for free. Tilganga has performed over 100,000 operations and trained over 500 medical personnel from around the world, and produces Ruit's intraocular lenses at a cost of less than US$5 each.[8] It also produces prosthetic eyes for US$3, compared to imports that cost $150.[3] For those unable to reach the center, or who live in otherwise isolated rural areas, Ruit and his team set up mobile eye camps, often using tents, classrooms, and even animal stables as makeshift operating rooms.[2]

After treating a North Korean diplomat in Kathmandu, Ruit persuaded North Korean authorities to let him visit in 2006.[2] There he conducted surgery on 1000 patients and trained many local surgeons. However, many of the citizens attributed the restoration of their sight to the supreme leader of North Korea at the time, Kim Jong-il.[17]

In April 2021, Ruit launched the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation[18][19] with a mission to screen 1,000,000 people and cure 300,000 of cataract blindness by 2026.[20] In March 2021, the foundation conducted its first microsurgical outreach camp in the Lumbini region of Nepal, where it screened 1,387 patients and cured 312 of blindness.[21] Another camp in the Solukhumbu region screened 1,214 patients and cured 178 of blindness in April 2021.

Media coverage

  • "Surgeon Dr. Sanduk Ruit revolutionizing cataract surgery gives sight to thousands", 2018 feature story by Miranda Wood on The Daily Telegraph
  • A 2006 National Geographic documentary Inside North Korea documented not only Ruit's surgery in the highly controlled country but also the resulting overt adulation by the patients given to the then-Supreme Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-il.
  • Ruit's work in Nepal featured in Episode 5 (Mountains – Life in Thin Air) of the 2010 BBC documentary series Human Planet.[22]
  • Out of the Darkness, a 2011 film by Italian director Stefano Levi, documents Ruit's work in remote Northern Nepal.[23]
  • In 2015, Ruit and his work featured in a New York Times op-ed by Nicholas Kristof: "In 5 Minutes, He Lets the Blind See". The article was based on reporting in Nepal by Kristof and Austin Meyer, a graduate journalism student at Stanford University, during the trip with the winner of the 2015 New York Times Win a Trip with Nick Kristof contest.[3]
  • ABC Radio interview for ABC Conversations, "The doctor known as the ‘God of Sight’", by Richard Fidler (2018)"[24]
  • CBS News article by Bill Whitaker, "Restoring eyesight with a simple, inexpensive surgery" (2017)[25]
  • CNN article "Sight for sore eyes: 'Maverick' doctor who restored the vision of 100,000 people" by Sophie Brown (2014)[26]
  • CNN photos "Nepal Miracle Eye Doctor heals 100,000" (2014)[27]
  • National Geographic documentary "Miracle Doctors: Curing Blindness"[28]
  • Al Jazeera documentary "The Gift of Sight" (2014)[29]
  • Reuters feature "Nepal's 'magic' surgeon brings light back to poor" (2012)[30]
  • Mini documentary by Great Big Story "This Surgeon Has Restored Sight to 130,000 of Nepal's Blind" (2019)[31]
  • Daily US Times feature "Nas Daily Discovers Dr. Sanduk Ruit: He Is The God Of Sight" (2020)[32]

Ruit's biography, The Barefoot Surgeon by Australian writer Ali Gripper, was published in June 2018.[33] A Nepali translation Sanduk Ruit was published by Fine Print Books in 2019.[34][35]

Awards and honor

  • In May 2007, Ruit was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia, "for service to humanity by establishing eye care services in Nepal and surrounding countries, and for his work in teaching and training surgeons, and technical innovation".[36]
Ruit receiving the Asian of the year award
  • In March 5,2007, he was awarded the Asian of the year 2007 by the Union Minister of health and family welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in New Delhi.

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Gripper, Ali (June 20, 2018). "Fred Hollows' protege Sanduk Ruit, the barefoot surgeon". Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  2. ^ a b c "Sight for sore eyes: 'Maverick' doctor who restored the vision of 100,000 people". CNN. Retrieved 2014-12-17.
  3. ^ a b c d e Kristoff, Nicholas (2015-11-07). "In 5 minutes, he lets the blind see". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  4. ^ Mason, Margie (March 21, 2010). "Nepalese Doc is 'God of Sight' to nation's poor". NBCNews. Retrieved 2018-10-05.
  5. ^ "Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation". Retrieved 2018-10-01.
  6. ^ "Ruit, Sanduk". Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. 2006. Retrieved 2018-10-04.
  7. ^ a b c Gripper, Ali (2018). The Barefoot Surgeon: The inspirational story of Dr Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor. Australia: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781760292706.
  8. ^ a b c d "Sanduk Ruit: Everyone Deserves Good Vision". Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. July 25, 2016. Archived from the original on 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  9. ^ a b "Dr Sanduk Ruit sang 'Dewa Penglihatan' Bagi Pasien Katarak". detikHealth (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  10. ^ Gripper, Ali (2019-11-08). "I can feel their pain: Dr. Sanduk Ruit". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-10-04.
  11. ^ "Sanduk Ruit, MD Co-Founder of HCP". www.cureblindness.org. Archived from the original on 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  12. ^ "Class- 10 Nepali Book Pages 1-50 - Flip PDF Download | FlipHTML5". fliphtml5.com. Retrieved 2022-05-11.
  13. ^ a b "Surgeon brings innovative techniques to ophthalmologists worldwide". Ocular Surgery News. June 1, 2010. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  14. ^ "Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology". Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology. Retrieved 2017-10-06.
  15. ^ "Sight restored to 187 people in remote Nepal". The Fred Hollows Foundation. 2010. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
  16. ^ "Bringing Sight To Millions". Nepal Republic Media. April 24, 2010. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011.
  17. ^ "Inside - Undercover in North Korea - DocuWiki". Docuwiki.net. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  18. ^ Times, Nepali. "Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation". Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  19. ^ "In Pictures: Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor seeks to expand work". Aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  20. ^ "Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor to expand work beyond border". AP NEWS. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  21. ^ "Nepal's God of Sight eye doctor to expand work beyond border". Msn.com. Retrieved 2021-09-30.
  22. ^ "Australian charity ending avoidable blindness". The Fred Hollows Foundation. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  23. ^ "Out of the Darkness". Archived from the original on June 26, 2017.
  24. ^ "The doctor known as 'the God of Sight'". Abc.net.au. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Restoring eyesight with a simple, inexpensive surgery". Cbsnews.com. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  26. ^ Sophie Brown. "Nepalese eye doctor restored vision of 100,000 people". Cnn.com. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Nepal's miracle eye doctor heals 100,000". Cnn. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  28. ^ "cureblindness.org - NG1". Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-11-14. Retrieved 2018-11-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. ^ "Nepal's "magic" surgeon brings light back to poor". Reuters.com. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  31. ^ "This Surgeon Has Restored Sight to 130,000 Blind People". Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ "Nas Daily Discovers Dr. Sanduk Ruit: He Is The God Of Sight". Dailyustimes.com. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Book release: The Barefoot Surgeon". The Fred Hollows Foundation. 2018-06-26. Retrieved 2018-10-14.
  34. ^ "Book release: Sanduk Ruit (Nepali)". Thuprai. 2019-09-18. Retrieved 2019-09-18.
  35. ^ "Editions of The Barefoot Surgeon: The inspirational story of Dr Sanduk Ruit, the eye surgeon giving sight and hope to the world's poor by Ali Gripper". Goodreads.com. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  36. ^ "It's an Honour – Honours – Search Australian Honours". Itsanhonour.gov.au. Archived from the original on 2017-10-27. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  37. ^ "The 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding − Citation for Sanduk Ruit". The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation. August 31, 2006. Archived from the original on 2012-07-08. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  38. ^ "(83362) Sandukruit = 2001 SH1 = 4249 P-L = PLS4249". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  39. ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  40. ^ "His Majesty awards National Order of Merit – BBS". December 17, 2015. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
  41. ^ "Nepali eye surgeon Sanduk Ruit among recipients of the 2016 Asia Game Changers award". The American Bazaar. September 13, 2016. Archived from the original on September 26, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  42. ^ "Nepali ophthalmologist Dr Sanduk Ruit bags Padma Shri Award". The Kathmandu Post. 2018-01-26. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sanduk_Ruit&oldid=1125840020"