Dr. Sanduk Ruit is a renowned ophthalmologist and a pioneer in the field of cataract surgery. He was born in September 4, 1954 in Mountain village Wolang Chung Gola, Taplejung District, Province No 1 Nepal. His early life was hard living near River Tamor near Kanchenjunga Himal.
His Father’s name was Sonam Ruit and his Mother’s name was Kesaang Ruit. He has second child of his family. Dr. Sanduk Ruit wife’s name is Nanda Ruit. He has two daughters and a son. His father Sonam Wangyal added the surname Ruit as he felt nostalgic for his ancient town Ruthok in Tibet. In the Tibetan language, the meaning of Sanduk is “The Dragon of the sky”.
When Dr. was a kid, he saw his brother who died of dysentery while his sister died of Fever. He got the inspiration to be a doctor from his sister Yaangla who also died of Tuberculosis.
He started his schooling at the age of 7 in Saint Roberts school Darjeeling, India. He joined Siddhartha Banasthali school in Kathmandu due to the India-China war, he had to leave school . He got into class 9 directly from class 7 and got First Division in S.L.C examination of 1970 and joined Trichandra College for his High School Science. He received a scholarship to study MBBS at King George medical university in Lucknow India and did MD in Ophthalmology from the all India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the year 1984. After that he worked in Bir Hospital as a general physician for 3 years. He worked in Nepal Eye Hospital for 8years.
After that he pursued further training in ophthalmology in Australia. He was deeply inspired by the work of an Australian ophthalmologist, Professor Fred Hollows, who had a significant impact on his life and career.
Dr. who is fond of music and books. Ruit considers the family to be his main strength. After 20 years of residence, the Ruit couple bought a house around Swayambhu, Kathmandu in 2009.
In the 1980s, Dr. Ruit co-founded the Nepal Eye Program along with Professor Fred Hollows. The program aimed to eliminate preventable blindness and provide comprehensive eye care services in Nepal, where cataracts were a major cause of blindness. Together, they developed and refined a technique called small-incision cataract surgery (SICS), which revolutionized cataract treatment in resource-limited settings.
SICS is a cost-effective and efficient method that allows cataract surgery to be performed with a smaller incision, reducing the need for expensive equipment and enabling faster recovery for patients. Dr. Ruit and his team trained local doctors and medical personnel in this technique, empowering them to provide eye care services in their communities.
Through the Nepal Eye Program and subsequent initiatives, Dr. Ruit has been instrumental in performing thousands of cataract surgeries and restoring sight to countless individuals across Nepal and other developing countries. His efforts have not only transformed the lives of individuals but also had a significant impact on public health, as blindness often hinders economic productivity and affects overall well-being.
Dr. Ruit’s work has gained international recognition, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to ophthalmology and global eye care. Some of his notable accolades include the Ramon Magsaysay Award, known as the Asian Nobel Prize, and the Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research.
In addition to his work in Nepal, Dr. Ruit has collaborated with organizations and surgeons around the world to promote the adoption of SICS and enhance eye care services in underserved areas. He continues to advocate for accessible and affordable eye care, emphasizing the importance of training local doctors and creating sustainable solutions for eye health.
Dr. Sanduk Ruit’s dedication, innovation, and commitment to eliminating blindness have made him a respected figure in the field of ophthalmology, inspiring many other medical professionals and positively impacting the lives of millions of people worldwide.