CIA The World Factbook

YI: You have brought your program to other countries.

Sanduk Ruit: Yes, we have actually. I would like to go back to the training program I mentioned before, looking at these programs, we have nothing except to train a lot of local doctors, empower them and make sure that they get to know the training programs, training teachers, develop some kind of relationship, keep on communicating all the time about technology. If you train 10 people, we find that five people continue to work very well, two people do extremely well, but we should not feel bad if the other five don't do too well. This is how the training goes on, we have to train a lot. And surgeons from different parts of the world are trying to show the model here in Kathmandu, particularly in the Eye Center and then follow them up in their countries to demonstrate how the model works with their team. So a team of doctors and paramedics will come from another friendly country and work with us here. For example, recently we had a team from North Korea and a team from Bangladesh. They come here and they work with us and after they complete about two months of training here, then we follow up with a large workshop in the country. So we with a small team from Nepal, work side by side with them, and demonstrate to the hospital authorities and their politicians on the ways how this can be done. Then we let them continue with that. One of the things that we have been trying to do is where we work, where we go, we have been pressed hard to raise money for them. So this is now one of the tasks that we do constantly, for all the people trying to raise money and to continue the work, in the respective countries, wherever they may be. The surgical consumable, the surgical equipment, microscopes, they are all very costly, but people are very generous.

YI: So now you are not only teaching new methods of eye surgery, you are also teaching them how to raise funds.

Sanduk Ruit: Yes, definitely, I am teaching them how to raise funds because raising funds has been part of the necessity, because without funds they cannot continue with their work. It has become one of our responsibilities of working together with them.

YI: Doctor, what is your outlook on life? Your medical philosophy and vision?

Sanduk Ruit: My outlook in life is that we are born in this world to die one day. Sometimes, maybe once in a year, I try to go visit the big crematoriums here in Kathamandu and sit across, and watch a few dead bodies being cremated, and this re-convinces me that's how I will go. We are now and then, we are given a task and we have to work in a hurry, because if we can give a little more effort to make a difference in people's lives. I really feel we have been given the Center to see how much we can help with people's lives. That's always been my philosophy. The second thing I have thought particularly with regard to vision (sight), is that very often, we always give poor people, poor countries, a second class treatment, which I totally disagree with. These are the people who particularly deserve a first class treatment, particularly where sight restoration is concerned. About vision, you cannot talk about some children being children of a lesser god. These are the people who need vision (sight).

YI: So what do you say to young Nepalis who want to follow in your footsteps?

Sanduk Ruit: For the young Nepalis, I want to say that Nepal is a beautiful country, and that it's got lots of prospects, that every country goes through all phases of history. History, and politics is all about ups and downs. Just because recently we had a bad patch, doesn't mean we will continue to have a bad patch. I think this country will have a lot of opportunities in the future, particularly for the young people.

YI: On that note, Dr. Ruit, thank you for your inspiring comments.

Sanduk Ruit: It's my pleasure.