Dr Devi Prasad Shetty is one of the most extraordinary figures in modern medicine — a cardiac surgeon of world-class skill who has devoted his life not just to performing heart surgeries, but to making them affordable for every patient in India, regardless of income or background. The Wall Street Journal called him “the Henry Ford of heart surgery.”
India’s Most Celebrated Cardiac Surgeon
Born on 8 May 1953 in Kinnigoli, a small village in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, Dr Shetty was the eighth of nine children. As a schoolboy, he heard about Dr Christiaan Barnard’s first heart transplant in the world and decided then and there that he would become a heart surgeon. That childhood conviction shaped one of the most consequential medical careers in Indian history.
“India will prove to the world that the wealth of the nation has nothing to do with the quality of healthcare its citizens will enjoy.” — Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Harvard Business School Interview
After completing his surgical training in the United Kingdom — including advanced cardiothoracic surgery at Brompton Hospital, Guy’s Hospital London, and the West Midlands Cardiothoracic Rotation — Dr Shetty returned to India in 1989 with a clear mission: to transform cardiac care in a country where millions needed heart surgery but had no access to it.
In 2001, he founded Narayana Hrudayalaya (now Narayana Health) in Bommasandra, Bangalore — a hospital built on one radical idea: that economies of scale could bring the cost of cardiac surgery to a level that ordinary Indians could afford. Harvard Business School made his model a case study. The World Economic Forum recognised his innovations as transformational for global healthcare.
Today, Narayana Health operates across 47 facilities in India and internationally — including hospitals in the Cayman Islands and, from 2025, in the United Kingdom through the acquisition of Practice Plus Group Hospitals for £188.78 million — the most significant entry by any Indian hospital group into the British healthcare market.
Academic & Surgical Formation
Dr Shetty received his foundational medical education at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. He then pursued advanced specialisation in the United Kingdom, training under the National Health Service for six years between 1983 and 1989.
| Degree / Qualification | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore | 1979 |
| MS — General Surgery | Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore | 1982 |
| FRCS — Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons | Royal College of Surgeons, England | 1989 |
| Advanced Cardiothoracic Surgery Training | Brompton Hospital & Guy’s Hospital, London (NHS UK) | 1983–1989 |
| MCh — Cardiothoracic Surgery | Guy’s Hospital, London | — |
| Professor of International Health | University of Minnesota Medical School, USA | — |
| Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | 2014 |
A Life of Medical Milestones
Born in Kinnigoli, Karnataka
Eighth of nine children in a small village in Dakshina Kannada. Decided to become a cardiac surgeon after hearing about Christiaan Barnard’s first heart transplant.
MBBS from Kasturba Medical College
Completed his primary medical degree at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, followed by MS in General Surgery in 1982.
Advanced Surgical Training in the UK
Six years of cardiothoracic surgery training at Brompton Hospital, Guy’s Hospital London, and the West Midlands rotation under the NHS. Earned FRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons, England.
Returns to India — BM Birla Hospital, Kolkata
Returned to India and began practice at BM Birla Hospital in Kolkata. Was among the very few heart surgeons in that part of India at the time.
India’s First Neonatal Heart Surgery
Performed India’s first successful neonatal cardiac surgery on a 21-day-old baby named Ronnie in Kolkata — a landmark moment establishing Dr Shetty as a pioneer of paediatric cardiac surgery in India.
Mother Teresa’s Personal Cardiac Surgeon
Operated on Mother Teresa following her heart attack. Subsequently served as her personal physician for the last years of her life — a relationship that profoundly shaped his philosophy of compassionate, accessible medicine.
Founded Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore
Founded Narayana Hrudayalaya (now Narayana Health) in Bommasandra, Bangalore. Also received Karnataka Ratna — the state’s highest civilian honour.
Yeshasvini Micro-Health Insurance Scheme
Partnered with the Karnataka Government to launch the Yeshasvini micro-insurance scheme — allowing rural farmers to access major surgical care for as little as ₹10/month. Over 4 million farmers enrolled.
Padma Shri — Government of India
Awarded the Padma Shri — India’s fourth highest civilian honour — for his contribution to affordable healthcare.
Wall Street Journal — “Henry Ford of Heart Surgery”
The Wall Street Journal named Dr Shetty “the Henry Ford of heart surgery” — recognising his use of economies of scale to bring cardiac care costs down by more than 90% compared to US prices.
Padma Bhushan — India’s Third Highest Civilian Award
Awarded the Padma Bhushan by the President of India for extraordinary contribution to affordable healthcare.
Narayana Health Acquires Practice Plus Group, UK
Led Narayana Health’s £188.78 million acquisition of Practice Plus Group Hospitals — the most significant entry by any Indian hospital group into the British healthcare market.
Areas of Surgical Expertise
Dr Shetty’s surgical expertise spans the full breadth of adult and paediatric cardiac surgery. He is particularly celebrated for his work in paediatric cardiac surgery — operating on newborns and children with complex congenital heart defects — and for pioneering affordable cardiac care at scale.
Paediatric Cardiac Surgery
His most celebrated speciality. Thousands of heart surgeries on newborns, infants and children with congenital heart defects.
Congenital Heart Disease
Surgical correction of ASD, VSD, Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of Great Arteries, and complex congenital conditions.
Coronary Artery Bypass (CABG)
Open heart bypass surgery — one of the world’s highest volumes per surgeon, at a fraction of international costs.
Valve Repair & Replacement
Repair and replacement of mitral, aortic, and other cardiac valves — including minimally invasive approaches.
Heart Transplantation
Adult and paediatric heart transplant surgery — giving patients with end-stage heart failure a second chance at life.
Aortic Surgery
Complex aortic aneurysm repair, aortic root replacement, and pulmonary thromboendarterectomy.
Robotic Cardiac Surgery
Robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass grafting — with published research in indexed international journals.
Telemedicine & Remote Cardiac Care
Pioneer of telemedicine in cardiac care — enabling patients in remote areas to access specialist consultation.
The Narayana Model — Healthcare as a Business, With a Human Heart
Why Narayana Health Changed Global Medicine
Dr Shetty’s greatest contribution to global medicine may not be any single surgery — it is the model he created for delivering complex surgical care at scale, at costs that previously seemed impossible.
“Charity isn’t scalable — but good business principles are.” — Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, Harvard Business School
When Dr Shetty founded Narayana Hrudayalaya in 2001, coronary bypass surgery in the US cost over $100,000. His hospitals now perform 30–35 major heart surgeries per day — compared to 1–2 in the average American hospital — using an efficiency-first approach that keeps costs low without compromising outcomes.
His goal, stated publicly on multiple occasions, is to bring the cost of coronary bypass surgery down to $800 — approximately 1% of what the Cleveland Clinic charges. Narayana Health today operates 47 healthcare facilities including hospitals in the Cayman Islands and the UK.
Key Details
| Full Name | Dr Devi Prasad Shetty |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 8 May 1953 |
| Qualifications | MBBS · MS · MCh · FRCS (England) |
| Speciality | Cardiac & Paediatric Cardiac Surgery |
| Experience | 35+ Years |
| Total Surgeries | 15,000+ heart surgeries |
| Current Role | Founder & Chairman — Narayana Health |
| Hospital | Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Bommasandra, Bangalore |
| Consultation Fee | ₹1,500 (approximate — confirm before visiting) |
| Languages | Kannada · English · Hindi |
| Online Consult | Available |
Approximate Treatment Costs at Narayana Health Bangalore
Narayana Health offers significantly lower costs than most private hospitals. Actual costs depend on patient condition, room category and complexity of surgery.
For a personalised cost estimate, WhatsApp Doctor Visit Bangalore at +91 78920 28951 — free guidance.
Hospital Location
🏥 Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences (NICS)
NH Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Area
Anekal Taluk, Hosur Road
Bengaluru, Karnataka — 560099
Awards & Honours
Padma Bhushan (2012)
India’s third highest civilian award — Government of India
Padma Shri (2004)
India’s fourth highest civilian award — Government of India
Karnataka Ratna (2001)
Karnataka state’s highest civilian honour
Wall Street Journal (2009)
“Henry Ford of Heart Surgery”
The Economist Innovation Award (2011)
Business Process Award — Lowering Healthcare Costs by Mass Production
Nikkei Asia Prize (2014)
Economic and Business Innovation
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (2012)
Life Sciences Category
Doctor of Science — IIT Madras (2014)
Honoris Causa — Indian Institute of Technology Madras
FT Arcelor Mittal Boldness in Business (2013)
Financial Times Award
TIME Magazine
Named among Most Influential People in Healthcare
Dr BC Roy Award (2003)
Medical Council of India
Lifetime Achievement — Clinical Care Gold (2018)
National healthcare recognition
What Patients & Families Say
“Dr Shetty’s team operated on my son who was born with a hole in his heart. He was 6 months old. Today he is 12 years old and plays cricket. We owe this man everything.”
“We came from Nigeria for my father’s bypass surgery. The team at Narayana Health was exceptional and the cost was a fraction of what we were quoted in London.”
“Affordable heart care compared to any other hospital we checked. Top-notch medical team, and surgery went perfectly. Grateful beyond words.”
“My father’s bypass surgery was successful thanks to Dr Shetty’s expert team. The care, the attention, the follow-up — all world class.”
International Patient Services
We support international patients travelling to Bangalore for cardiac treatment — handling every detail so you can focus entirely on your health.
AYUSH Letter & Hospital Invitation Letter
We help you obtain the official hospital invitation letter required for your Indian medical visa application.
Medical Visa Assistance
Step-by-step guidance on applying for your Indian medical visa — documents, process, and what to expect at each stage.
Airport & Railway Station Pickup
We receive and pick you up from Bangalore airport or railway station — so your first moment in the city is comfortable.
Hotel & Stay Support
We help arrange suitable accommodation near Narayana Health — budget-friendly to comfortable options based on your preference.
Language Interpreter
Language interpretation support for patients from Bangladesh, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
Accompany During Consultation
Our team stays with you during your consultation — ensuring you understand everything and your questions are answered.
Bangalore Local Tourism (Optional)
We can arrange local sightseeing and tourism between appointments as per your comfort and recovery.
24/7 WhatsApp Support
We reply to every WhatsApp message — day or night. You are never left without a response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dr Devi Prasad Shetty famous for?
Dr Shetty is famous for founding Narayana Health, performing over 15,000 open heart surgeries, pioneering affordable cardiac care in India, performing India’s first neonatal heart surgery in 1992, serving as Mother Teresa’s personal cardiac surgeon, and receiving the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Wall Street Journal called him “the Henry Ford of heart surgery.”
Does Dr Shetty operate on newborns and children?
Yes. Paediatric cardiac surgery is one of his primary and most celebrated specialities. He performed India’s first neonatal heart surgery in 1992 on a 21-day-old baby, and has since performed thousands of cardiac surgeries on newborns, infants and children with congenital heart defects.
How affordable is cardiac surgery at Narayana Health?
Narayana Health offers cardiac surgery at some of the lowest prices in the world — typically 70–90% cheaper than equivalent procedures in the US, UK, or Singapore. Coronary bypass surgery that might cost $100,000 in the US is available for approximately ₹1.5–2.5 lakh at Narayana Health. Dr Shetty’s stated goal is to bring bypass surgery cost down to $800.
What is Dr Shetty’s consultation fee?
Dr Devi Prasad Shetty’s consultation fee at Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Bangalore is approximately ₹1,500. This may vary. Doctor Visit Bangalore can confirm and book your appointment free of charge — WhatsApp +91 78920 28951.
Can international patients be treated by Dr Devi Prasad Shetty?
Yes. Narayana Health treats thousands of international patients annually from Africa, Bangladesh, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Doctor Visit Bangalore provides complete free support — including hospital coordination, medical visa guidance, accommodation, and airport transfer. Contact +91 78920 28951.
Where is Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences located?
Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences (NICS) is located at NH Health City, Bommasandra Industrial Area, Anekal Taluk, Hosur Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560099. It is part of NH Health City — one of the world’s largest cardiac care campuses.
How do I book an appointment with Dr Devi Prasad Shetty?
Contact Doctor Visit Bangalore at +91 78920 28951 via WhatsApp or call. Our service is completely free. We will confirm availability, coordinate the appointment, and guide you on reports and preparation before your visit.
Does Dr Shetty treat patients with Ayushman Bharat or insurance?
Narayana Health accepts several health insurance plans and has been a strong advocate for government health schemes. Please contact Doctor Visit Bangalore at +91 78920 28951 and we will confirm current insurance and scheme acceptance for your specific situation.
🔗 Related Pages on Doctor Visit Bangalore
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Sources: Narayana Health official profile, publicly available hospital and news information, Doctor Visit Bangalore editorial research. This page follows the Doctor Visit Bangalore Editorial Policy. Last reviewed: July 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a qualified cardiac surgeon or hospital.