Early Life
Devi Prasad Shetty was born on May 8, 1953, in Kinnigoli, Karnataka, India. He was the eighth of nine children. His interest in cardiac surgery was sparked during his primary school years when he learned about the first heart transplant.
Rise to Success
Shetty completed his MBBS and postgraduate work at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, and later trained in cardiothoracic surgery at Guy's Hospital in London. He returned to India in 1989 and began working at B.M. Birla Hospital in Kolkata. In 1992, he performed India's first neonatal heart surgery. In 2000, he founded Narayana Hrudayalaya (now Narayana Health) in Bangalore, aiming to provide affordable healthcare. Narayana Health has grown to 47 healthcare facilities.
Key Business Strategies
Shetty's approach emphasizes economies of scale and efficiency to reduce costs. His hospitals use industrial assembly-line principles. He also implemented the Yeshasvini Micro-Health Insurance Scheme, a low-cost health insurance program. The company is now expanding into the UK market.
Philanthropy
Devi Shetty is known for his philanthropy and commitment to affordable healthcare. He was inspired by Mother Teresa, whom he served as a personal physician. He has also launched the Yeshasvini Micro-Health Insurance Scheme and is involved in various community health initiatives.