Dr. Prathap C. Reddy

Dr. Prathap C. Reddy

Founder, Chairman

Dr. Prathap C. ReddyFounder, Chairman

HUMANITARIAN PAR EXCELLENCE – ‘HEALER’

Dr. Prathap C Reddy, Founder-Chairman of the Apollo Hospitals Group, is the visionary architect of modern Indian healthcare. He is best described as a compassionate humanitarian who dedicated his life to bringing world-class healthcare within the economic and geographic reach of millions.

In 1983, Dr. Reddy embarked on an extraordinary journey by establishing Apollo Hospitals, which not only revolutionized healthcare in India but also pioneered the private healthcare industry in India. The Apollo model of care inspired many, and at present, over 300 other large, high-quality hospitals have elevated the quality of care in India, making it available at a tenth of the international cost and changing the way people in the country live and access healthcare.

To this day, despite his senior age, Dr. Reddy works tirelessly for more than 20 hours every single day to realize his vision of making world-class healthcare accessible to all.

A VISIONARY ENTREPRENEUR

His vision was not limited to hospitals, but aimed at creating an integrated ecosystem of care. Under his leadership, the Apollo Hospitals Group has established around 6000 pharmacies, 2000 retail touchpoints, and well over 25 million registered users on the digital platform Apollo 24/7.

Driven by a profound sense of social responsibility, Dr. Reddy’s vision extended far beyond the boundaries of urban centres. He harnessed technology to provide high-quality medical care even to the remotest corners of the country, as illustrated by the tremendous success of telemedicine in India. Above all, Dr. Reddy gave hope to every citizen and patients in over 140 countries around the world, where none existed before.

Dr. Reddy has been a staunch advocate for mandatory health insurance, firmly believing it is crucial for the nation’s wellbeing. His pioneering Re.1-a-day insurance project, initially introduced in his native village, set the stage for the Government of India’s Universal Health Insurance program.

A thinker far ahead of his time, in the mid-70s, Dr. Reddy introduced the Master Health Check in India and continues to passionately champion preventive healthcare. Over 30 million health checks have been performed by the Apollo Hospitals Group to date, and given the burgeoning prevalence of non-communicable diseases, the importance of this work cannot be underestimated. His keen commitment to battling disease is evident in his leadership of the Billion Hearts Beating Foundation, which encouraged Indians to prioritize heart health.

In the realm of policy and thought leadership, Dr. Reddy has played pivotal roles in establishing various healthcare organizations and committees, and has been the prime shaper of healthcare policy and delivery in India. He has been instrumental in founding NATHEALTH, a powerful forum fostering a shift in mindsets and policies for the benefit of health across the nation, and GAPIO, the Global Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, a network of highly qualified physicians from around the world.

Recognized and revered globally, Dr. Prathap C Reddy was honoured with the ‘Padma Vibhushan,’ India’s second-highest civilian award, for his unwavering pursuit of excellence in healthcare. His biography, “Healer: Dr. Prathap Chandra Reddy and the Transformation of India,” serves as a testament to his incredible journey of healing and caring, inspiring generations to come.

PHILANTHROPIST

A dedicated philanthropist, Dr. Reddy introduced social initiatives that helped transcend barriers, and a notable example is the Save a Child’s Heart Initiative, which is addressing the widespread issue of congenital heart disease in India.

In addition, he has always been passionate about a holistic approach to community development, as exemplified by the Total Health Foundation that aims to uplift individuals physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually, building inclusive communities. An innovative population health model, the Total Health program in Dr. Reddy’s native district, Aragonda in southern India, has achieved dramatic results, which have been published by prestigious institutions like the Harvard School of Public Health. Now, Aragonda is truly, in spirit, a Blue Zone.

Throughout his work over the last 40 years in Indian healthcare, Dr. Reddy has been anchored in a strong sense of purpose – health and happiness for all. In the 40th year of the founding of Apollo Hospitals, the Apollo family re-dedicated itself to this purpose, aiming to transcend barriers of geography, capability, or technology to create a lasting, sustainable impact.

RESPECTED AROUND THE WORLD

Dr. Prathap C Reddy was conferred the ‘Padma Vibhushan,’ the second highest civilian award by the Government of India in acknowledgment of his tireless pursuit of excellence in healthcare.

• 1991Conferred the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India
• 1993The Mother St Teresa’s ‘Citizen of the Year’ awardBusiness India Top-50 personalities who made a difference to India since Independence
• 1998Sir Nilrattan Sircar Memorial Oration (JIMA) awardConferred the Fellowship Ad Hominem by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
• 2001Ernst & Young ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ AwardLifetime Achievement award by Hospimedica InternationalFranchise award for Excellence in Business DevelopmentThe ‘Asia–Pacific Bio Leadership’ award by the Marshall School of Business‘Modern Medicare Excellence’ award by the ICICI Group
• 2010Conferred Padma Vibhushan, second highest civilian award by the Government of IndiaLifetime Achievement award from Rotary International and Frost & SullivanLifetime Achievement award from Federation of India Chamber of Commerce & IndustryLifetime Contribution award from All India Management Association
• 2013NDTV Indian Lifetime Achievement AwardAsian Business Leaders Lifetime Achievement AwardCNBC TV18 Lifetime Achievement Award – India Business Leaders Awards
• 2016Conferred an Honorary Doctorate by UNSW, Australia for exemplary contribution to the health and wellbeing of millions
• 2017Conferred the Global Healthcare Icon by Telemedicine Society of IndiaLifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Telemedicine & E-HealthThe ‘Iconic Man’ Award conferred by the FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO)Conferred the Dr. B.L Maheshwari Life Time Achievement Award in Healthcare from Centre for Organization Development
• 2018Felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award by All India Senior Citizens Conference (AISCCON)Times of India Healthcare Achievers Conclave confers the Lifetime Achievement Award for Exemplary Commitment and Impactful Contribution to HealthcareConferred with the Lions Humanitarian Award by the Lions Club International Foundation for exemplary humanitarian efforts
• 2019Conferred the ‘Effective Succession Planning’ award at the Economic Times Family Business AwardsConferred ‘Outstanding Institution Builder’ by the All- India Management AssociationConferred “Lifetime Achievement Award for Ethical Leadership & Governance” by Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & SustainabilityConferred the “Sanjiv Malik Lifetime Achievement” award by IMTJ Medical Travel Awards“Rotary Institute 2019 Super Achiever Excellence in Healthcare Award “ was presented for pioneering innovation in accessible healthcare, bringing high quality healthcare within the reach of all and conceptualizing a model for preventive healthcare
• 2020Conferred “Lifetime Achievement Award” by E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year
• 2021Honoured with the title of “Honorific Geras” by the Geriatric Society of IndiaPresented the ‘Champion of Humanity Award’ by Hindustan Chamber of CommerceConferred the ICSI Lifetime Achievement Award for Translating Excellence in Corporate Governance into Reality. A prestigious recognition of his lasting commitment and leadership in promoting best in class Corporate Governance principles.Conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Business Standard Annual Awards 2021 for being a trailblazer in the world of health care and an exemplary philanthropist.
• 2022Eminent winner of the 11th Forbes India Leadership AwardConferred the Business Lifetime Achievement Award at the ‘Na Anayam Vikatan Business Star Awards’Honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement awards at the Economic Times Awards for Corporate ExcellenceFelicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Indian Medical Association JDN MSN TNSBHonoured with the prestigious ‘YSR Life Time Achievement’ AwardConferred an Honorary Doctorate (DSc. Honoris Causa) by Amity University, Uttar Pradesh
• 2023Honoured the ‘BMA-K S BASU Lifetime Achievement Award’ for 2021-2022 by the Bombay Management Association in recognition of his unparalleled contribution to the management movement for nation building and strengthening India IncConferred the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Paediatric Cardiac Society of India.
• 2024Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Business Today Mindrush.Conferred the prestigious ‘Healthcare Icon of the Century’ by AHPI

Dr. Reddy’s enduring legacy is one of purpose, compassion, and innovation, a journey that has touched the lives of over 150 million individuals so far, and one that will continue to touch billions of lives all around the world.