Brothers in Excellence
For most people, the pursuit of happiness is the purpose of life. All actions and thoughts are fuelled by the desire to be happy. No one wants to be unhappy, yet unhappiness and dissatisfaction are prevalent. Perhaps serving others can be one’s higher purpose, leading to deep satisfaction rather than fleeting happiness. Two brothers I met are living examples of this.
I met Dr Vishnu Swaroop Reddy, the renowned ENT Surgeon, when he returned from the UK and joined Care Hospital, where I was engaged in interdisciplinary research, working on developing India’s first coronary stent as a defence technology spinoff.
The idea of developing cochlear implants—tiny sensors that enable hearing—has become common ground. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam instantly liked Dr Reddy and invited him to be his guest at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. With his clinical and audiological team, Dr Reddy examined the entire staff and 600 children from the Rashtrapati Bhavan Estate Schools, focusing on their hearing status, and submitted a report, to the great joy of the people.
The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam, a centre of excellence in the science of sound waves, called sonars, undertook the development. A team headed by Dr V. Bhujanga Rao eventually achieved success in developing indigenous cochlear implants, which brought down the cost manifold—Rs. 1 lakh (1100 USD) compared to between 7,000 USD to 21,000 USD for imported implants—and helped many profoundly deaf children hear sounds and, as a result, develop speech. Dr Reddy furthered cochlear implantation surgery using cost-effective local anaesthesia, which cost merely a hundred rupees. He has performed the most procedures in India under local anaesthesia, which very few surgeons worldwide can do.
Through Dr Vishnu Reddy, I met his younger brother, Vinod Reddy. They hail from the coastal village of Mypadu, in the Nellore district. Their father, N. Kodanda Rama Reddy (NKR), an M.A. in Political Science (1953-1955) from Presidency College, Madras, was fondly called ‘English Kodandaram Reddy’ for his imposing personality and gracious manners.
The elder brother chose to become a doctor. After his MBBS and MS in ENT from S.V. Medical College, Tirupati, Dr Vishnu Reddy went to England in 1993. He did his FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Scotland, and DLORCS from England. Dr Vishnu Reddy trained with the best surgeons across the world—at the House Ear Institute in Los Angeles, USA, under Prof. Derald Brackmann; at Marien Hospital, Stuttgart, Germany under Prof. Wolfgang Gubisch; at the University of Hannover, Germany, under Prof. Thomas Lenarz; at University of Paris, under Prof. Jean Abitbol; and at Graz, Austria, under Prof. H Stamberger. The world’s best hospitals were now open to him. He worked as a Consultant ENT and Facial Plastic Surgeon at the Staffordshire General Hospital, Stafford, England, and at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary University Teaching Hospital, Aberdeen, Scotland. Today, he is considered the top ENT surgeon in this part of the world.
The younger brother became an engineer, graduating with a Computer Science and Engineering degree in 1990 before earning a master’s at the University of North Texas. Vinod Reddy worked in the travel and transportation industry at American Airlines, applying operational research to understand customer needs better. When the Indian economy opened and new technology arrived, Vinod Reddy returned and led the American firm Broad Vision in India. He created an e-commerce platform under the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) that made visiting the station and filling out travel detail forms a thing of the past. It was a watershed moment. In 2009-2010, daily online ticket bookings surged from just 30 individuals at launch to 500,000.
Pursuing excellence leads to a deeper, more profound sense of satisfaction than simply achieving a goal or winning an award. Like his brother, who made restoring hearing to the deaf his mission, Vinod Reddy chose customer service. He created his company, CRMIT, headquartered in Bengaluru, to live his dream of developing information technology in customer relationship management. Breaking the one-size-fits-all barrier, his company developed industry-specific solutions unique to business goals. It has become a global company operating in the USA, the UK and Australia.
CRMIT has become a leader in optimised healthcare delivery by partnering with America’s largest healthcare company, UnitedHealth Group. Here, the paths of the two brothers converge, like the confluence of two rivers. When I recently met them at Dr. Vishnu’s home in Hyderabad, we passionately discussed how technology can free Indian healthcare delivery from the inefficient and corrupt referral system.
Digital platforms enable seamless, trackable and standardised referrals between providers, reducing delays, errors and opportunities for corrupt practices like unnecessary referrals or kickbacks. Centralised databases consolidate patient records, referral histories and treatment plans, ensuring transparency and reducing duplication or misuse of resources. Technology-driven scheduling minimises favouritism or manipulation, ensuring fair access and resource allocation.
Analysing referral patterns and health data can help easy identification of anomalies indicative of corruption or inefficiencies, enabling authorities to take corrective action. Blockchain technology can create immutable records of referrals and resource transactions, fostering trust and accountability. Above all, mobile health platforms can empower community health workers and patients with access to referral information, promoting transparency and community engagement.
Why is it not happening? Unfortunately, inertia is a terrible force. Once people become used to bad habits and unfair arrangements, it is difficult to change them. Who does not know that consuming tobacco leads to cancer? Everyone knows the benefits of nutrition and exercise, yet one can see people paying scant attention to their health everywhere. The health insurance industry has become a conduit for funding tertiary care hospitals, destroying primary healthcare in the process. If you have a headache, undergo a CT scan; if you have stomachaches, get an endoscopy done. Do you suffer from back pain? Get an MRI done. Chest pain? Undergo an angiogram, followed by angioplasty.
While upgrading technology in primary healthcare is a vital step towards improving public health, it is generally most effective when combined with other elements such as infrastructure development, workforce training, policy reforms and community engagement. Technology can enhance diagnostics, record-keeping and communication, leading to faster and more accurate care. However, a multifaceted approach that addresses social determinants, education, sanitation and access to care is also essential to achieve comprehensive, improved public healthcare outcomes.
But someone must bell the cat. How about a pilot in one district, where 10,000 patients are screened using an integrated digital system that captures their identity, history, symptoms and possible ailments? Those who need to see a doctor, say 1000 or 2000, are referred ‘directly’ to the specialist. A few hundred who need tertiary care go to tertiary care hospitals. The rich and powerful do not crowd them and block the needy. Who will allow this? I think this is not a valid question anymore. Instead, the question is—who can stop this? This is what I feel after meeting people like the Reddy brothers.
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Sir,
आपने भारतीय चिकित्सा प्रणाली के एक महत्वपूर्ण विरोधाभास को सही तरह से उजागर किया है। सुपर-स्पेशियलिटी के मामले में हमारे पास बेहतरीन डॉक्टर और अस्पताल हैं, लेकिन प्राथमिक देखभाल के मामले में कुछ भी नहीं है। मेडिकल स्नातक विशेष प्रशिक्षण का विकल्प चुनते हैं, जिससे सामान्य चिकित्सकों की संख्या में कमी आती है। अधिकांश डॉक्टर शहरी क्षेत्रों में केंद्रित हैं, जिससे ग्रामीण और वंचित समुदायों को प्राथमिक देखभाल तक सीमित पहुंच मिलती है। उनमें से कई निजी अस्पतालों के लिए “रेफ़रल” एजेंट बन गए हैं। बेशक, कुछ बेहतरीन पारिवारिक चिकित्सक हैं, लेकिन उन्हें अक्सर भारी मरीज़ों और सीमित संसाधनों का सामना करना पड़ता है। आसानी से उपलब्ध सामान्य चिकित्सकों की अनुपस्थिति में, मरीज़ चिकित्सा सहायता लेने या स्वयं निदान करने में देरी करते हैं, जिससे अधिक गंभीर स्थिति पैदा होती है। पारिवारिक चिकित्सकों की कमी ने पहले से ही प्राथमिक स्वास्थ्य सेवा प्रणालियों को कमज़ोर कर दिया है, जिससे पुरानी बीमारियों को रोकना और सामान्य बीमारियों को प्रभावी ढंग से प्रबंधित करना मुश्किल हो गया है।
As usual, significantly articulated by Arunji. Now that I am in Italy, I see the significant progress India has made!
Reading about this journey reinforces my belief that science, when coupled with purpose and perseverance, becomes a powerful tool for social transformation. Thank you for highlighting such rare excellence born out of a deep desire to serve and bridge the care gap!
As a surgeon, I often witness the pain of families who are unable to afford life-changing interventions. Stories like these give hope and direction—it reminds us that excellence is not just in what we do, but in how deeply it impacts the lives around us.
Truly a legacy !!! Best always.
You raised a very valid issue. There is a significant shortage of trained healthcare professionals, especially doctors and nurses, in primary health centers (PHCs). People are often unaware of their health conditions or how to access and utilize healthcare services. There is a disproportionate focus on curative care rather than preventative care, leading to a rise in chronic diseases and a lack of attention to public health initiatives. Technology is the only way out of this situation.
Sir, you wrote…Who can stop this? It requires just the application of technology, which has been around for decades.
However, the vested interests and corrupt system, from top to bottom, will and do try their best to circumvent the system.
But yes… we must make a trial pilot. The direction has to come from the top …from a visionary leader.
Thank you Sir for sharing this insightful and wonderful blog.
This story of 2 brothers is truly inspiring and a prime example of service. Future generations need to learn to serve rather than achieve for a primary gain.
As you rightfully said, growing technology can address social determinants, education, and sanitation. We need to develop a concept of preventive medicine that addresses the grassroots idea of primary health care. The primary health care concept is lost over time and only consists of excessive referrals, leading to extreme stress amongst patients.
India is growing in its integration of technology and primary healthcare, as seen in the increase of telemedicine and remote consultations, electronic health records, mobile health applications, and AI. If all this is put to correct and uncorrupted use, it would create wonders for public service and the eradication of biased healthcare.
Thank you so much for highlighting the great work, Dr Vishnu Swaroop Reddy, a close friend I met while training in Hyderabad. He is truly a trailblazer, and I pray that he lives to see his students and trainees live out his dreams and help so many of the sick.
While upgrading technology in primary healthcare is a vital step towards improving public health, it is generally most effective when combined with other elements such as infrastructure development, workforce training, policy reforms and community engagement. Technology can enhance diagnostics, record-keeping and communication, leading to faster and more accurate care. However, a multifaceted approach that addresses social determinants, education, sanitation and access to care is also essential to achieve comprehensive, improved public healthcare outcomes.’ I could not agree more, Professor Tiwari.
Dear Prof
What a beautiful story of success and purposeful living! Thank you for sharing it.
Africa looks to India, within the framework of South-South cooperation, to strengthen partnerships in technology and affordable healthcare delivery systems.
The story of the two brothers and their great work is something to inspire the rest of the global South
Thank you Sir for this article. It has been a little over two and a half decades since I began my journey in the healthcare space. During this time, we have witnessed the evolution of information and communication technology—from dial-up networks to leased lines, satellite communication, ISDN, microwave transmission, and finally, broadband internet. The journey has been both enriching and transformative.
However, although the intention to adopt technology in healthcare has been established, adapting to it for effective outcomes still poses a challenge. I do believe it is only a matter of time before this gap narrows. To enable this, it is crucial to ensure adequate training for healthcare providers—starting with nurses, paramedics, physician assistants, and doctors. This will help address the challenges around adaptation and utilization of technology in a more seamless and effective manner.
With growing attention on artificial intelligence and deep learning, the healthcare domain—rich with data—offers a fertile ground for innovation. The focus should be on developing models that not only aid in clinical decision-making but also shift the paradigm from illness management to proactive wellness and prevention.
Currently, we are collaborating with IIIT Hyderabad under a DST-funded grant aimed at identifying the causal agents of early-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) in India. The first phase involves creating a comprehensive repository of multimodal datasets, including socio-economic data, clinical and family history, blood biomarkers, imaging data, and genetic profiling. This will allow us to assess current health indicators and identify patterns across age groups and societal segments.
India is rich in data, but the fragmentation and lack of centralized ownership often hinder innovation. A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model—alongside academic institutions acting as neutral custodians of these datasets—can be a strong enabler for developing meaningful and scalable technological solutions to address well-identified healthcare challenges.
So yes, I completely agree with you, Sir—when the question is, who can stop this? The answer lies in aligning ideas, building consensus, and executing together with purpose.
Sir, a primary health pilot program that lays a solid foundation upon which the four pillars of primary healthcare can be built, enabling us to enhance the GDH, or Gross Domestic Health, of the people, enables us to reach greater heights in all facets of life. Kudos to you for proposing the concept.
What an inspiring account of purposeful living and transformative impact! Thank you, Prof. Tiwari ji, for sharing the remarkable journey of the Reddy brothers. Their story exemplifies how excellence rooted in service can uplift not just individuals, but entire systems. The convergence of compassion and innovation in their work shows that when noble intent meets expertise, meaningful change becomes truly unstoppable.
Good points. It is the grassroots that need attention – the earlier the better.
Best wishes to all.
Primary care is the foundational level of healthcare, providing routine check-ups, preventative care, and management of common illnesses. It plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. There is no denying the need for primary care. Patients are not seeking routine preventive care because they lack a primary care physician. Most general practitioners are quacks who engage in “referral business” with large hospitals. There are system-level barriers – government hospitals are inefficient, and private hospitals are cost-prohibitive. This “missingness” is leading to poorer health outcomes, increased risk of chronic diseases, and premature mortality.
Digitising primary healthcare and enriching it with AI is an exciting idea. There are no technical issues, and it is very much doable. What is lacking is a mandate. As Dr Soory rightly commented, primary healthcare has become an orphaned child of medicine.
Respected Sir, very nice to see your picture with Dr Vishnu Reddy and his brother, Mr Vinod Reddy. I understand that no doctor among the top 100 All India ranks in the NEET-PG Exam has ever chosen ENT for the past several years. This lack of preference for ENT in India is in stark contrast to the situation in developed nations, where otolaryngology residency positions are among the most competitive. Celebrated Doctors like Dr Vishnu Reddy may take action to mitigate the reasons for the underrepresentation of ENT in India, as evident in both student surveys and the results of centralised admission tests.
Thank you Arun ji for sharing about Reddy brothers work.. what ever needs to be done to strengthen Primary healthcare in an integrated way is the need of the hour.
Thank you, Sir, for sharing the blog . . . so inspiring!
Your writing powerfully highlights how true fulfillment comes from serving others, not just personal success. The Reddy brothers’ contributions in medicine and technology show how excellence can drive meaningful change. It also rightly questions systemic inertia and calls for bold, tech-driven healthcare reforms. A thought-provoking and inspiring read.
Respected Dr. Tiwari ji, The narrative of Dr. Vishnu Swaroop Reddy and Mr. Vinod Reddy is not only a testament to personal excellence but also a compelling reflection on the transformative power of service-driven innovation. Thank you for sharing their life stories, which illuminate the profound satisfaction that arises from contributing meaningfully to society.
Your observations on the inertia in healthcare delivery are incisive and timely. Indeed, while technological solutions exist, it is courageous and visionary individuals like the Reddy brothers who make a difference. Let us hope this momentum inspires institutions and policymakers to act decisively. It is heartening to know that such committed minds are already engaged in building a future where healthcare is accessible, transparent, and truly patient-centric.
Thanks again.
The smart use of technology combined with care can truly make a big difference for people. A digital system that filters patients, connects them to the right level of care, and reduce the load on tertiary centers is absolutely necessary. This idea is powerful and much needed.
Dear Sir, Greetings!
Thank you for sharing such a profoundly moving and visionary story of the Reddy brothers. It resonates powerfully with my values and aspirations.
Currently based in Australia but rooted in the soil of Bihar. Along with my brother, Dr. Radha Raman, a dedicated M.Ch. Plastic Surgeon serving in Bihar — we share a dream of bringing world-class healthcare to the underserved communities of our homeland. Our vision is to bridge the gap between rural needs and urban expertise through innovative models, such as telemedicine, mobile health units, and community-centric care. I recently started a Telemedicine consultation clinic for the village people.
We firmly believe, just as you beautifully expressed, that serving others is the true path to lasting fulfilment. In a system often clouded by inefficiencies and inequities, we strive to create transparent, accessible, and ethical healthcare frameworks—where technology supports humanity, and rural patients receive the same dignity and care as anyone in the world.
Your article is a great source of encouragement, and stories like those of the Reddy brothers serve as a guiding light for us. We are deeply inspired to carry forward the spirit of transformation, one patient and one village at a time. Warm regards, (On behalf of myself and my brother Dr. Radha Raman)
Primary Healthcare is a neglected child. Not only was it ignored, but it was also left an orphan.
Dear Sir, this is a powerful and timely reflection. The potential of digital platforms to bring transparency, equity, and efficiency to healthcare is undeniable—but as you rightly pointed out, technology alone is not enough. Deep-rooted inertia, vested interests, and systemic misalignments often resist change. Your call for a pilot—practical, measurable, and human-centered—is exactly the kind of bold step needed to demonstrate what’s possible.
Arunji, thank you so much for the gifting us with knowledge and insights on various aspects through your blogs every fortnight.
This is an inspiring narrative of how purpose-driven lives can transform systems and serve society. The Reddy brothers exemplify how excellence in medicine and technology, when combined with empathy and vision, can pave the way for more equitable and efficient healthcare. A compelling call to action for systemic reform through innovation!