Dr Sanduk Ruit has brought immense pride and recognition to Nepal through his exceptional work in providing cost-effective cataract surgery to millions of people worldwide. The Isa Award for Services to Humanity that he has been honored with amidst a royal event in Bahrain on Tuesday is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and compassion towards the poor and underprivileged. The $1 million award, along with a certificate and a gold medal, is a befitting recognition of his outstanding contribution to society, and we, as all Nepali people, are truly proud of him.

Dr Ruit's passion to provide eyesight especially to those poor and needy people eventually led him to develop a low-cost intraocular lens and surgical technique, which is now being used in more than 60 countries around the world. His cost-effective method of cataract surgery is being taught in medical schools in various western countries including in the US, the UK and Australia and a large number of ophthalmologists come to Nepal to learn his method of treatment. This has eventually helped him touch the lives of millions of people in different parts of the world. Dr Ruit’s tireless efforts in curing preventable blindness have helped reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of people, regardless of their accessibility and affordability. Needless to say, his work has been a lifeline for millions of people, particularly in Nepal, where cataract blindness is widespread. Nepal ranks among the top 10 countries in the world for the highest rates of vision loss. This includes around 0.5 per cent of the population of around 30 million living with blindness, and around 27 per cent suffering some form of visual impairment. 

Dr Ruit has demonstrated that by combining technical innovation, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility, it is possible to deliver quality healthcare to the most marginalized communities. Dr Ruit's success is also a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in transforming healthcare. By co-founding the Tej Kohli and Ruit Foundation with Tej Kohli, Dr Ruit has already started expanding his work and his legacy outside of Nepal. The foundation has already reached out to the people in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Pakistan, Indonesia, Laos and Bhutan through mobile eye camps. The foundation along with the Tilganga Institute and the Himalayan Cataract Project are prime examples of how partnerships between philanthropists, non-governmental organizations, and the government can help achieve significant public health goals. In his award acceptance speech on Tuesday, Dr Ruit pledged to touch half a million surgeries or more in the next five years. This is a testament to his unwavering commitment to serving humanity, and we wish him all the best in his endeavors.

The recognition of the works of Dr Ruit through the Isa Award for Service to Humanity--an award instituted as a tribute to the legacy of the late Amir, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalif and his commitment to transforming the world through the compassionate and innovative action– is a timely reminder that we, as a society, must strive to emulate his example and commit ourselves to serving humanity. Dr Ruit's legacy is an inspiration to all of us to be more compassionate, innovative, and dedicated to making the world a better place. The recognition of his work will not only further enhance the credibility of Tilganga Institute, Tej Kohli and Ruit Foundation, and the Himalayan Cataract Project (HCP) but also help bolster the image of Nepal as one of the world leaders in cataract surgery. We commend Dr Ruit for his outstanding work and his recognition with the Isa Award for Services to Humanity. We also call on the government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the private sector to support and emulate his work and commitment to serving humanity. The expansion of his affordable eye-care service in the country where people are not able to get such care can also help Nepal to project its soft power diplomacy through the service to humanity. Dr Ruit's work is a shining example of how we can transform healthcare and make a positive impact on people's lives through innovation, dedication, and public-private partnerships.

 
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