“Whatever you are doing, do it extraordinarily well. Make it high quality. Make sure what you do is documented to make you visible as a valuable faculty member. The quality of your work is the key.”
In a chat with Entrepreneurs Today, Bhargav talks about the many life lessons he has learned as a professional, his growth and his role in the initiatives at Sandhya Eye Hospital.
Bhargav Ram Munagapati, Director of Sandhya Eye Hospital, is the one behind the growth and community impact initiatives. Under his leadership, the hospital has expanded across Andhra Pradesh, reaching rural communities with essential healthcare services.
Bhargav initiated the “VISION NEXT” project, focusing on specialized eye screenings for school children and diabetic patients. Committed to quality care, the hospital prioritizes reducing avoidable blindness, and providing treatments to half of its patients at no or reduced cost while remaining financially sustainable.
Bhargav holds a PhD and MBA from KL University, with additional executive education from IIM Bangalore and degrees from San Diego State University-California State University and Anna University.
About Sandhya Eye Hospital
Founded in 1984 by Dr M. N. Raju (late) and Smt. Indira in Cherukupalli, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, Sandhya Eye Hospitals began its journey with a mission to deliver high-quality, affordable eye care. Starting in Vijayawada, it has since expanded its footprint to Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram.
Renowned for its patient-friendly approach and philanthropic initiatives, Sandhya Eye Hospitals maintains an unmatched legacy of excellence in eye care.
Equipped with state-of-the-art international standard equipment and staffed by highly qualified ophthalmologists, the hospital boasts a high operational success rate. Beyond medical excellence, Sandhya Eye Hospitals is committed to social responsibility. Its dedicated CSR wing provides free treatments to underprivileged patients, reflecting its ethos of giving back to the community.’’
Interviewer: What inspired you to join Sandhya Eye Hospital and continue on this journey?
Bhargav: “I wanted to continue the legacy built by my parents and to serve the people in the field of eye care. Since I joined, we have enhanced the existing centres to their maximum ability and expanded our services to Rajahmundry, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram. Over the years, Sandhya has gained the reputation of being a patient-friendly and philanthropic eye care center, carrying forward an unparalleled legacy and unrivaled services in eye care.”
What sets them apart?
What makes Sandhya Eye Hospitals unique is their commitment to innovation in patient care and comprehensive service delivery. Led by Director Bhargav Ram Munagapati, the hospital stands out for its skilled team of full-time consultants and experienced ophthalmologists across all specialities.
They operate with state-of-the-art facilities, including a dedicated outpatient department, an advanced ophthalmic theater, and a modern optical shop, ensuring round-the-clock access to high-quality eye care under one roof.
Sandhya Eye Hospitals also leads in integrating the latest technological advancements, striving to maintain excellence in treatment and patient satisfaction. Their strategic management approach emphasizes transparency, annual goal-setting based on thorough situational analysis, and continuous improvement across human resources, quality, marketing, and finance.
This dedication contributes to their self-sufficiency and ability to provide superior eye care services efficiently and affordably to all patients.
Challenges faced
Over four decades, Sandhya Eye Hospital has treated over three lakh patients, earning a reputation as a leading eye care provider in Andhra Pradesh. The hospital attributes its high success rate to rigorous protocols, skilled ophthalmologists, and extensive surgical expertise.
However, there were several challenges along the way. One significant issue arises from sharing clinical facilities with other doctors, which can lead to patient diversion and communication barriers. In such situations, Bhaskar says that maintaining transparency and effective coordination among medical professionals is crucial for smooth operations and patient satisfaction.
Quality control remains another critical concern in the healthcare industry. Ensuring consistent service excellence amidst the complexities of healthcare delivery is a constant endeavor. Sandhya Eye Hospital prioritizes rigorous process management and continuous improvement to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its patients.
Looking forward, Bhargav asserts,
“Change is inevitable and perpetual. It remains the sole constant across all levels and discipline. This holds true for both science and eye care. The way ophthalmologists practice, provide patient care, and conduct business will change. They’ll also have to adjust to the upcoming medical, scientific, and economic developments. In the following decade, the need for ophthalmologists and optometrists will be stronger than ever, determining optometry’s bright future. The future of ophthalmology will be shaped by certain trends. Artificial Intelligence and other such technologies will have a huge impact.”
Major milestones
Initiatives like Project Vision Next have revolutionized rural eye care by establishing subsidized primary eye care centers, addressing critical eye health issues often neglected in underserved communities.
The National Diabetic Retinopathy and School Students Project utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as Digital Imaging, Telemedicine, and Artificial Intelligence to screen for diabetic retinopathy nationwide, offering free treatment to over 30,000 underprivileged patients, including students.
Additionally, their Rural Eye Screening Project has significantly raised eye health awareness in rural areas through mass awareness programs and eye screening camps, identifying and referring cataract patients for surgeries, and ensuring comprehensive support from preliminary screenings to post-operative care.
Future plans
The hospital currently plans to further expand its reach and capabilities under the leadership of Bhargav. With a focus on growth, the hospital aims to continue its expansion in Andhra Pradesh, leveraging state-of-the-art technology and becoming one of the first NABH-accredited eye hospitals in the region.
Bhargav has pioneered a collaborative model for doctors, facilitating shared operational costs and enhancing affordability and efficiency in patient care. Academic advancements include regular Continued Medical Education (CME) programs for doctors, paramedical training initiatives, and the development of a Paramedical Institution.
Future initiatives also encompass enhancing Ophthalmology DNB courses to refine surgical and patient evaluation skills. Additionally, the hospital remains committed to community outreach, organizing rural eye care camps and awareness programs to combat avoidable blindness, and engaging local stakeholders for widespread impact.
Lessons learned
By the end of the conversation with the Entrepreneurs Today team, Bhargav shares some of his major takeaways from his journey. He asserts,
“I always maintain the balance between work and personal life. I have a set of go-to people who are always with me in my highs and lows, the ones I reach out to. It’s important to have that inner circle.”
Reflecting on career progression, Bhargav notes, “Understanding career stages is crucial. How I have spent my time has evolved substantially over the course of my career, adapting to changes in research, teaching opportunities, and personal life.”
Lastly, as he signs off, he adds,
“We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community… Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”
