Written by: Jiya Sapkota - 27019, Grade X
Posted on: 06 December, 2022
Dr. Sanduk Ruit is a great ophthalmologist, a great personality who helped many see the world. Ruit was born on the 19th of Bhadra, 2011 (September 5, 1954) in Olangchung Gola, Taplejung. Although he grew up in a rural area of Nepal; he was born in a stable family and the place was naturally pleasing. Which sums up that, his childhood was decent.
He grew up in a rural area, which meant that he had to walk for hours and days to reach school and it was almost impossible to find health posts too. But growing up, his brother passed away as he couldn't get an emergency treatment. Which is why, a strong hope of making Sanduk a doctor in future got builded up in Sanduk’s father's heart. The decision was made, Sanduk at the age of 7 travelled to Darjeeling to get better studies. Shortly after some time, he lost his two more siblings, both of them being his younger sisters. Then, his aim to be a doctor grew. He started studying with more seriousness and enthusiasm. After completing his MBBS from King’s George Medical College, India, he worked as a General Physician for 3 years in Bir Hospital[2]. Once, during an eye camp; he realised how important eyesight is. And from that very day, he decided to be an eye doctor. Ruit was working at Tripureshwor’s Eye hospital when he got invited by Dr. Fred Hollows to Australia. While in Australia, he was asked to stay in Australia and work there but he declined as he wanted to do something on his own, in his own country. After moving back to Nepal again, he resumed his working in the same Tripureshwor’s hospital and later got married to Nanda Shrestha. In B.S. 2051, he established Tilganga Eye Centre. He developed a technology called “Ruitectomy'', which helped him gain a new name. He used this technology in various countries to treat many patients with poor eyesight. This technology is known as a very cheap and affordable but effective one. To this day, Ruit has had a record of treating more than 100,00 people from all around the world.[2] He has travelled various countries like; Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, etc to treat people with eye related diseases. He is known as a doctor who returns people’s eyesight in 5 minutes. The rate of people with poor eyesight in Nepal has decreased from 0.8% to 0.4%, due to the establishment of the Ruitectomy and Tilganga Eye Centre itself.
He has been featured in various videos and documentaries and we can even read about him in books and articles. He has gotten various awards due to his unbelievable contributions. He definitely is the “God of Sight”, who has been providing a better life for various people and will continue in doing so. He didn’t let anything stop him from achieving his goals, and instead decided to work things out and try even harder. He is an inspiration to us all.
References:
“Sanduk Ruit, MD”, Cure Blindness,
https://cureblindness.org/who-we-are/dr-sanduk-ruit
“Doctor Sanduk Ruit Biography”, Eye Health Nepal,
https://www.eyehealthnepal.com/doctor-sanduk-ruit-biography/#:~:text=Dr.,the%20%E2%80%9CGod%20of%20Sight%E2%80%9D.
Grade 10 Nepali Book, 3rd Chapter “Sanduk Ruit”
