Aravind Eye Hospital Chairman-Emeritus Dr P Namperumalsamy Passes Away at 85

Written by Medical Dialogues Team Published On 2025-07-26T13:27:19+05:30 | Updated On 26 July 2025 1:27 PM IST

Madurai: Eminent Ophthalmologist Dr. P Namperumalsamy, chairman-emeritus of Aravind Eye Hospital and a towering figure in the field, passed away on Thursday at the age of 85.

Celebrated for revolutionising eye care not only in Tamil Nadu but across the globe, he was deeply committed to the belief that no one should remain blind due to poverty.

Born on July 9, 1940, in the small village of Ambasamudram in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, Dr. Namperumalsamy—fondly known as Dr. Nam—rose from modest beginnings to become a global force in eye health. After earning his MBBS from Madurai Medical College, he began his career at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), where his passion and foresight led to the establishment of India’s first Low Vision Aid Clinic in 1967.

After advanced training in the United States, he returned to establish the country’s first Vitreous Surgery Centre at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), and later, the Retina Vitreous Clinic at Aravind in 1979.

Under his stewardship, Aravind Eye Hospital evolved into a global benchmark for delivering high-quality, high-volume eye care, particularly to the underserved. The hospital’s pioneering model, blending medical excellence with a social mission, won the prestigious Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 2010. That same year, TIME magazine honoured Dr. Namperumalsamy as one of the 100 most influential people worldwide for streamlining cataract surgery into a fast, cost-effective system that served millions.

Dr Sridhar, president-elect of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Tamil Nadu, described him as “the perfect definition of a gentleman.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. G. Natchiar, director-emeritus of Aravind Eye Hospital, and his two sons, Dr. Venkatesh Prajna and Vishnu Prasad.

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Speaking to TOI, Prajna said, "My father was a thorough professional and a perfectionist, be it at work or home. He performed his duties diligently as a father, as a grandfather, and a great-grandfather as well.'' "The way he challenged himself constantly and aspired for global standards despite coming from a humble background is a rare feat," he said.

His college classmate, cardiologist Dr. Annamalaisamy, recalled him as a shy young man who quickly grew into the smartest in their class. “Even in retirement, he was active—he took a deep interest in agriculture and stayed connected to his roots,” he said.

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Several political leaders, including Chief Minister M K Stalin, condoled his death. "He gave vision to lakhs of people,'' Stalin said. Dr Namperumal's mortal remains were kept at their house in Anna Nagar in Madurai on Thursday, and will be cremated in his native village on Friday, reports TOI.

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Medical Dialogues Team