Aravind Eye Hospital was founded in 1976 in Madurai, India by Dr. G. Venkataswamy to eliminate needless blindness. It has since grown to be the largest and most efficient eye care facility in the world, operating multiple hospital branches that provide over 70% of treatments subsidized or free to the poor. Aravind aims to eliminate blindness through high quality eye care services, community outreach programs, education and training initiatives, and by making affordable eye products worldwide.

1. ARAVIND EYE HOSPITAL
By: Cristina Krastle Valderas
Entrepreneurship – S63

2. Aravind Eye Hospital
 Named after Sri Aurobindo, the 20th century’s most revered
spiritual leaders
 Founded in 1976 by Dr. G. Venkataswamy
 Started with 11 beds and 4 medical officer
 The largest and most efficient eye care facility in the world
 Branches: Madurai, Theni, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore,
Puducherry, Dindigul, Tirupur, Salem
 Offers 70% subsidized or free treatment for the poor

3. MISSION:
TO ELIMINATE NEEDLESS BLINDNESS
... by providing compassionate and high quality eye care for all -
Hospital Services
... through extending the reach of quality eye care to the poor and
needy – through active community involvement, screening camps,
and IT enabled Vision Centres in rural areas - Community
Outreach
... by developing ophthalmic human resource - Education and
Training

4. ... by making high quality ophthalmic products affordable and
accessible worldwide - AUROLAB
...by providing evidence through research and evolving methods to
translate existing evidence and knowledge into effective action -
AMRF - Research
... through teaching, training, capacity building, advocacy, research
and publications - LAICO
...by reducing corneal blindness through eye banking activities,
training, research and public awareness programme - Eye Bank

5. MILESTONES:
 1976 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Madurai
 1985 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Theni
 1988 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Tirunelveli
 1992 – Aurolab – the non-profit charitable trust established
to provide modern technology at affordable costs.
 1996 – LAICO (Lions Aravind Institute of Community
Ophthalmology) – teaching and training institute
 1997 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Coimbatore
 1998 – Rotary Aravind International Eyebank - Madurai

6.  2003 – Aravind Eye Hospital – Pondicherry
 2004 – First Primary Examination Center –
Ambasamudram; First Community Eye Clinic at Melur
 2007 – Aurolab’s New Facility; Champalimaud Award
 2008 – Dr. G. Venkataswamy Eye Research Institute; Gates
Award
 2010 – Hilton Humanitarian Prize

7. Dr. Govindappa Venkataswamy
 Founder chairman of Aravind
Eye Hospital
 Born on October 1, 1918
 Graduated B.A. In Chemistry at
American College in Madurai
 Received Medical Degree from
Stanley Medical College in 1944
 Joined the Indian Army Medical
Corps but retire in1948
 Masters degree in
Ophthalmology

8.  Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Madurai Medical
College
 Vice – Dean, Madurai Medical College
 Developed the Outreach Eye Camp programmes in 1960
 Rehabilitation Center for the blind in 1966
 Ophthalmic Assistants Training Program in 1973
 Received the Padmashree award in 1973

9. Intelligence and capability are not enough. There must
also be the joy of doing something beautiful. Being of
service to God and humanity means going well beyond
the sophistication of the best technology, to the humble
demonstration of courtesy and compassion to each
patient.
- Dr.G.Venkataswamy

10.  http://www.aravind.org
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aravind_Eye_Hospital
 http://www.jaynaidoo.org/an-infinite-vision-the-story-of-the-ara

11. Thank you!