A Walk Down Memory Lane: Chennai’s Medical Landscape Then and Now

I was born in Chennai in the early 1950s and, for as long as I can remember, the city has been my home. Growing up in T. Nagar, the streets were a mix of modest independent houses and the occasional bustling shop – a far cry from today’s high‑rise glass towers.

Just behind Pondy Bazaar, where the air is always scented with the aroma of fried dosas, we used to queue for the famous Shantha Bhavan’s Mysore bonda, basundi and that tangy thakkali chutney. Even then, Geetha Café was the go‑to spot for a quick coffee, and the glittering Nalli Silk sarees displayed in the nearby showroom were a dream for any kid who loved bright colours.

My school days at Madras Christian College School were a kaleidoscope of books, sports, and the occasional ice‑cream run to Hansa Stores. Boarding on Sterling Road gave me a sense of independence, while the city’s trams rattled along the avenues, and the bus network felt like a lifeline connecting every corner. The suburban trains, humming with commuters, took me not only to school but also to Kilpauk Medical College, where I later learned the ropes of medicine and, frankly, life itself.

Chennai was, and still is, a truly cosmopolitan hub. Visits to the Marina, the old museums, Fort St. George, and the historic university buildings were regular outings. Yet, what always struck me was how the city’s medical institutions – places like the Government Hospital of Thoracic Surgery (VHS) and Vijaya Hospital – were already holding their own alongside the best in the country.

Back in the 1970s and early 80s, when I was a fresh‑face doctor, patients from neighboring states began to travel to Chennai for treatment. It was an early wave of medical tourism, long before the term became a buzzword. Those hospitals, equipped with competent doctors and decent facilities, matched the standards you’d find in Delhi or Mumbai at the time.

My own journey as an eye specialist started with Sankara Nethralaya, a modest clinic that grew into a world‑renowned eye care centre. From day one we pledged to treat every patient with the same care you’d expect in the biggest metropolitan hospitals, and today we’ve served millions – a testament to the city’s enduring commitment to health.

Looking back, I feel a warm nostalgia for those simple days – the trams clanging, the street vendors shouting, the aroma of fresh coffee, and the steady hum of hospital wards where dedication was the main medicine. Even then, Chennai’s medical facilities were on par with the rest of the country, and that legacy continues to thrive.