October 2026
Six Sankara Nethralaya Researchers Recognised in Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists Ranking
Six researchers from Sankara Nethralaya – Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Dr. Lingam Gopal, Dr. Lingam Vijaya, Dr. Ronnie Jacob George, Dr. Mani Baskaran, and Dr. Parthopratim Dutta Majumder have been recognised in Stanford University’s prestigious Top 2% Scientists worldwide ranking. The recognition acknowledges their contributions to clinical research and scientific advancement in ophthalmology. This milestone highlights the institution’s continued commitment to research excellence and improving eye care worldwide.
Sankara Nethralaya Wins Economic Times Healthcare Award for Second Consecutive Year
Sankara Nethralaya has been named Hospital of the Year 2026 in Ophthalmology (South Zone) at the Economic Times Healthcare Awards. It is to be noted that Sankara Nethralaya received this award for the second consecutive year. Several ophthalmology hospitals from across South India participated in the awards.
The evaluation covered multiple criteria, including quality, infrastructure, patient care, community service and staff welfare. The recognition acknowledges Sankara Nethralaya’s continued commitment to clinical excellence, patient care and community service.
Dr. Sumita Agarkar Receives Dr. P. L. Rao Paediatric Ophthalmology Lecture Award 2026
Dr. Sumita Agarkar, Senior Consultant in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Sankara Nethralaya, received the prestigious Dr. P. L. Rao Paediatric Ophthalmology Lecture Award 2026 at Vision Waves Kakinada 2026, the 11th Annual Conference of the Andhra Pradesh Ophthalmic Society. The conference was held from September 18 to 20, 2026, in Kakinada.
Sankara Nethralaya confers Sankara Ratna Award on Prasad Reddy Katamreddy
Sankara Nethralaya conferred the Sankara Ratna Award on Shri Prasad Reddy Katamreddy, President and CEO, Twisted X Inc., Texas, and Member, Board of Advisors, USA, in recognition of his philanthropic contributions and commitment to improving access to healthcare.
The award was presented by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice-President of India at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai on Friday.
Established in 2002 to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the institution, the Sankara Ratna Award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the hospital’s mission and philosophy.
Past recipients of the award include Shri A. M. Naik, Chairman and Managing Director, Larsen & Toubro Ltd.; Shri S. V. Acharya, Honorary Treasurer, SN, USA; Shri Bala Reddy Indurti, President, SN USA; and Padma Bhushan Shri S. Ramadorai, former CEO and Managing Director, TCS to name a few.
Born in Kalivelapalem village in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, Shri Prasad Reddy Katamreddy completed his engineering studies in Kakinada before moving to the United States, where he built his business career and led Twisted X into a global footwear brand.
His philanthropic initiatives have supported healthcare, education, child welfare, elderly care and hunger relief. His association with Sankara Nethralaya includes support for the establishment of a Mobile Eye Surgical Unit (MESU) to extend eye care services to underserved communities.
Sankara Nethralaya is pleased to confer the Sankara Ratna Award 2025 on Shri Prasad Reddy Katamreddy in recognition of his contribution to healthcare and philanthropy.
Sankara Nethralaya Organises LAB NXT 2026 Symposium
Sankara Nethralaya’s SNSC Clinical Laboratory, Medical Research Foundation, Chennai, organised LAB NXT 2026, themed “Shaping the Future of Diagnostics,” on August 29, 2026, at V.D. Swami Auditorium, KN BIRVO Block, Nungambakkam, Chennai. The scientific symposium and workshop brought together laboratory technologists, postgraduate students, quality and technical managers, and laboratory consultants.
The programme began with two parallel workshops on method validation, verification, equipment installation and quality control, and clinical microbiology, covering fungal identification, autoantibody detection and PCR-based pathogen detection.
The scientific sessions addressed risk assessment and management in clinical laboratories, clinical laboratory practice, innovations in laboratory medicine, MALDI-TOF in infectious disease diagnostics, and point-of-care testing in clinical microbiology. Afternoon sessions covered genetic testing for inherited diseases, total laboratory automation, translating laboratory diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism into clinical care, and molecular diagnostics for muscular dystrophies.
The sessions were led by experts from Foundation for Quality India, Dr. Mehta’s Multispeciality Hospital, Regenix Super Speciality Laboratory, Rela Hospital, Christian Medical College, Vellore, MedGenome Labs, Apollo Central Reference Laboratory, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Chennai, and the Molecular Diagnostics Counselling Care and Research Centre.
Dr. N. Angayarkanni, Director, SNSC Clinical Laboratory, delivered the welcome address. The programme concluded with a valedictory address by Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, President and Executive Medical Director, Medical Research Foundation, Sankara Nethralaya, followed by a felicitation ceremony and vote of thanks. The event also featured a poster competition.
LAB NXT 2026 provided a platform for laboratory professionals to exchange knowledge and discuss developments in diagnostic technologies, laboratory quality management and clinical laboratory practices.