In a world where high-quality healthcare often comes with a heavy price tag, one institution in Bengaluru has quietly redefined what is possible. The Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, led by the visionary Dr. C.N. Manjunath, is a shining example of how compassionate leadership and a patient-first approach can transform lives millions of them.
Healing with Heart
Jayadeva Hospital isn’t just a medical institution it’s a lifeline for lakhs of people across Karnataka and beyond. Specializing in cardiovascular care, it has grown into one of Asia’s largest heart hospitals, with over 2,000 beds and an astonishing 1,500+ cardiac procedures performed every month.
At the heart of this transformation is Dr. C.N. Manjunath, a name now synonymous with accessible and ethical healthcare. Under his leadership, Jayadeva went from a 300-bed facility to a world-class cardiac center that treats over 75 lakh outpatients and performs over 8 lakh procedures—all without letting cost be a barrier.
“Treatment First, Payment Next”
What makes Jayadeva truly exceptional isn’t just its scale—it's the philosophy that guides it. In a country where many patients hesitate to visit hospitals fearing expenses, Jayadeva stands out with its deeply humane model: “Treatment first, payment next.”
Regardless of financial background, every patient is welcomed, examined, and treated with dignity. Many procedures are subsidized or provided free of cost. It’s a model that has not only saved lives but also earned respect globally.
When the White House Took Note
In a remarkable moment of recognition, Jayadeva’s work reached international ears the ears of then U.S. President Barack Obama.
In 2009, an American citizen named Kris Murthy received cardiac treatment at Jayadeva. For just ₹92, he was given world-class care. Moved by this experience, he wrote a heartfelt letter to President Obama, praising the hospital’s dedication, efficiency, and commitment to the poor.
President Obama acknowledged the letter, expressing admiration for a system that provided such high-level care to those in need, irrespective of their ability to pay. It was a proud moment not just for Jayadeva, but for India’s entire public healthcare system.
Recognition at Home and Abroad
Jayadeva’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed in medical circles either. In 2015, it became India’s first government-run cardiac hospital to earn NABH accreditation, a benchmark of quality. In 2019, it was featured in the European Heart Journal as a “Cardiac Centre of Excellence”—the first Indian institution to earn such a distinction.
Research institutions like IIM-Bangalore, Yale, and the London School of Economics have also studied Jayadeva’s model for its combination of affordability and efficiency—proof that a publicly funded system can indeed deliver world-class results.
The People’s Doctor
Despite the accolades, Dr. Manjunath remains grounded. To patients, he is affectionately known as the “poor man’s doctor.” His door is always open, and he remains actively involved in patient care. His leadership is not about prestige it’s about purpose.
In a healthcare environment often dominated by private players, Jayadeva stands tall as a public institution that works—and works brilliantly.
A Vision for the Future
As India continues to grapple with health disparities, Jayadeva offers a blueprint for what’s possible when heart and health go hand in hand. It shows that scale and compassion are not mutually exclusive, and that true healthcare reform starts with empathy.
Dr. Manjunath is a reminder that one leader, with vision and integrity, can change an entire system. And Jayadeva is proof that India’s best hospitals don’t always have to be expensive or exclusive—they just need to be run with heart.