Meet the IIT Madras Professor Who Won National Award for His Hospital on Wheels
Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam from IIT Madras has recently been awarded the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2025 in the Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar category for Technology and Innovation. His groundbreaking work in affordable medical devices and brain mapping has made significant contributions to healthcare innovation in India.
Significance of the Award
In an exclusive interview, Professor Sivaprakasam expressed the deeper meaning behind this recognition. He stated, “I see this as essentially a recognition of the fact that we have been able to demonstrate that you can do really cutting-edge research and development in India, which can be translated into real-world technologies and commercial products that can be manufactured as indigenous products in the country.” This award challenges the outdated perception of academia as a conservative space limited to laboratory work.
Collaboration and Innovation
Professor Sivaprakasam emphasized the importance of collaboration in his work. “Very often we think of academia as a conservative place that does work inside its own lab,” he reflected. His projects involve partnerships with hospitals, doctors, industry experts, biologists, and international collaborators. He believes that indigenous technologies can lead to commercial success, especially in a country like India, which is in dire need of affordable healthcare solutions.
Funding and Impact
Over the past 15 years, Professor Sivaprakasam’s centers have delivered projects worth between 300 to 400 crore INR. Initially funded by the government, more than 60 to 70 percent of their current funding now comes from private sources, including industry and philanthropy. “That is another acknowledgment that you can do models of research and development and science which you can amplify beyond government funding using private resources,” he noted.
A Mission to Transform Healthcare
In 2008, Professor Sivaprakasam made the pivotal decision to return to India from the United States, where he had been engaged in cutting-edge research. “I was always clear that this is where I started and this is where I will contribute to making impactful work,” he explained. His motivation stemmed from India’s heavy reliance on imported medical devices, which had seen costs soar from 35,000 crore to over one lakh crore INR.
Innovative Medical Solutions
Professor Sivaprakasam’s innovations include:
- Mobile Eye Surgical Unit: A truck transformed into a sterile operating theatre for cataract surgery in remote areas, known as the “Hospital on Wheels” model.
- Eye PAC: A cost-effective solution for adult and neonatal ophthalmic screening.
- VITALSENS: Clinical-grade wearables for monitoring fever and cardiovascular health.
- Insight: An indigenous bronchoscopy processor.
- SmartEye: An endoscopy platform developed after seven years of effort to bridge the import gap.
- DISHA X: A robotic spine surgery system.
- ARTSENS: An image-free vascular ultrasound technology.
- DHARANI: A cellular-resolution 3D human brain atlas.
Transforming Rural Healthcare
The Mobile Eye Surgical Unit has been a game-changer in providing cataract surgeries to underserved populations. This initiative has restored sight through over 30,000 surgeries in 225 rural sites over the last 14 years, all without a single adverse event. The unit maintains sterility through precise measurements and built-in intelligence that monitors critical elements such as sterile water and air.
AI-Powered Eye Screening
The Eye PAC system utilizes intelligent image computing to significantly reduce costs—up to five times lower than imported devices. Operating in 2,900 sites across 40 countries, it has conducted 12 million exams for conditions like diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Neonatal versions of the device have screened over 800,000 newborns for retinopathy of prematurity.
Conclusion
Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam’s contributions to healthcare technology exemplify how innovation can address pressing health challenges in India. His work not only showcases the potential for indigenous solutions but also inspires future generations to pursue impactful research and development in the field of healthcare.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on data available up to October 2023 and reflects the achievements of Professor Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam and his contributions to healthcare innovation.
