Vijayawada: Dr. Sunkara Venkata Adinarayana Rao, the 85-year-old orthopaedic surgeon celebrated for restoring hope to thousands of polio-affected and physically challenged individuals, passed away on Saturday evening, January 17. Known for his surgical expertise as well as his compassion, Dr. Rao was fondly called “Vikalang Bandhu” and “Poliowalon ka Devata” by his patients.
A Lifelong Dedication to Patients
Over a distinguished career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Rao performed nearly three lakh surgeries and over ten lakh operative procedures, primarily for polio-affected and physically challenged persons. Patients traveled from across India and abroad—including the USA, Canada, Rajasthan, and Gujarat—to seek his care.
Early Life and Education
Born on June 30, 1939, in Bhimavaram, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Rao displayed both academic brilliance and compassion from an early age. He studied at U.L.C.M. High School and later completed his MBBS at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, in 1966, followed by an M.S. in Orthopaedics in 1970.
Passion for Football
Apart from medicine, Dr. Rao was deeply passionate about football. A keen player in his college days, he later promoted the sport in Visakhapatnam, serving as president of the Visakhapatnam District Football Association for over three decades. Under his leadership, the Visakha Trophy national football championship became a prominent event attracting top clubs nationwide.
Academic and Administrative Contributions
Dr. Rao held several prestigious positions, including Professor of Traumatology and Orthopaedics at Andhra Medical College, Superintendent of the R.C.D. Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled, and Director General of Prema Hospitals. As founder and managing trustee of Prema Hospitals, he focused on affordable and free surgical care, conducting nationwide polio surgical camps.
Recognition and Awards
Dr. Rao’s exemplary service earned him numerous honors, including the National Award for Best Service in the Field of Welfare of the Disabled (1998), the Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award, and the Bhagawan Mahaveer International Award (2002). His lifelong dedication was crowned with the Padma Shri in January 2022.
Family and Survivors
He is survived by his wife, R. Sasiprabha, a noted gynaecologist and former Director of Medical Education, Andhra Pradesh, and their children—daughter Dr. Sesh Kamal and son Sasi Kiran—both based in the United Kingdom.
Condolences and Tributes
Several prominent figures, including Gopala Krishna Kosaraju, president of the Waltair Football Association, Prof. N Vijay Kumar of Andhra University, Visakha West MLA PGVR Naidu, and Olympic Association general secretary K Suryanarayana, expressed condolences and paid rich tributes to the legendary surgeon.
