Dr Ballal’s opinion helped govt policies, says Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday said Manipal Hospitals chairman Dr Sudarshan Ballal has offered his opinion and expert inputs to many governments in policy making.

“Dr. Ballal is one of the most sought-after leaders in healthcare, not just in nephrology… During the Covid pandemic, we were ably helped by his counsel and advice and his calm presence,” the CM said after releasing a book marking the veteran nephrologist’s 50 years of service in healthcare.

Dr Ballal, the CM said, was a highly accomplished and brilliant doctor. He worked in the US in the 1980s for close to a decade where he earned the prestigious US-triple board certification in three areas - in clinical care, nephrology and internal medicine - in a short duration, in a record time. While at his professional peak in the US, Dr Ballal gave up everything that the US offered and returned to India in 1991 to start a chapter in Manipal Hospitals, the CM added.


“You are a living example of how to treat people with gentleness and respect. Your model of compassionate leadership must be emulated by young healthcare professionals across the state and beyond,” Siddaramaiah said, while praising him for his ‘quiet philanthropy.’ Thousands of people have benefited from his family trust, the CM added.