Devi Shetty
Devi Prasad Shetty (born May 8, 1953) is an Indian cardiac surgeon and entrepreneur. He is the founder and chairman of Narayana Health, a chain of hospitals known for providing affordable cardiac care.
| Devi Shetty | |
|---|---|
| |
| Birth Name | Devi Prasad Shetty |
| Born | May 8, 1953 |
| Origin | Kinnigoli, Karnataka, India |
| Education | MBBS (Kasturba Medical College), MS, FRCS |
| Specialization | Cardiac Surgery |
| Hospital | Narayana Health (Founder) |
| Years Active | 1983–present |
| Notable Contributions | Low-cost cardiac surgery, Healthcare accessibility |
| Awards | Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan |
| Website | Narayana Health |
Early Life and Education
Born in Kinnigoli, Karnataka, Devi Shetty completed his MBBS from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. He trained in cardiac surgery at Guy's Hospital, London, under Sir Magdi Yacoub.
Career
Early Career
After returning to India, Shetty worked at various hospitals before establishing his vision of affordable healthcare. He famously performed heart surgery on Mother Teresa in 1992.
Narayana Health
In 2001, Shetty founded Narayana Hrudayalaya (now Narayana Health) in Bangalore. The hospital chain pioneered:
- Low-cost cardiac surgery (as low as $1,500)
- Mass production techniques in healthcare
- Telemedicine for rural areas
- Micro-health insurance schemes
Healthcare Revolution
Narayana Health has performed over 100,000 heart surgeries, making it one of the largest cardiac surgery centers in the world. The chain now includes 23 hospitals across India and abroad.
Healthcare Philosophy
Shetty's approach includes:
- Economies of scale in healthcare
- Compassionate capitalism
- Healthcare as a right, not privilege
- Innovation in cost reduction
Key Initiatives
- Yeshasvini - Micro-health insurance for farmers (2003)
- Teleradiology services for rural hospitals
- Health City concept in Bangalore
- Training programs for cardiac surgeons
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Bhushan (2012)
- Padma Shri (2003)
- Rajyotsava Award
- Economist Innovation Award (2012)
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Personal Philosophy
Dr. Shetty believes that:
- "Healthcare should not be a privilege of the rich"
- Hospitals should be run like factories to reduce costs
- Technology can democratize healthcare access