S. V. Adinarayana Rao

Sunkara Venkata Adinarayana Rao (born 30 June 1939), commonly known as S. V. Adinarayana Rao, is an Indian orthopedic surgeon noted for his work for the poor and needy. He is the Director-General of the Prema Group of hospitals and institutions. In 2022, he received India's fourth-highest civilian award, Padma Shri by the Government of India for serving poor polio patients with distinction.

Early and personal life
Adinarayana Rao is born in a Kapu family on 30 June 1939 in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh to freedom fighters Kanakam and Seshamma. His father was a lawyer and also served as the Sarpanch of Bhimavaram. Adinarayana Rao is the third one among four sons. He did his schooling from ULCM High School, Bhimavaram. He completed his M.B.B.S. degree in 1966 and master's degree in Orthopedic Surgery from Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam in 1970. He trained in Germany in Microvascular surgery and Hand surgery. Adinarayana Rao is married to R. Sasiprabha, former superintendent of the King George Hospital. His elder brother, Sunkara Balaparameswara Rao is a neurosurgeon. Adinarayana Rao is a football enthusiast and was president of the Visakhapatnam district football association for more than three decades.

Career
After returning from Germany, Adinarayana Rao started his medical practice in Visakhapatnam. He worked at Andhra Medical College as a tutor and later a professor. He also worked at King George Hospital as a Civil Surgeon. After retiring as Superintendent of the Rani Chandramani Devi Hospital, Adinarayana Rao along with a few other friends set up the Prema Hospital at Ramnagar. He is currently the Director-General of the Prema Group of Hospitals and Institutions. He is also the managing trustee of Free Polio Surgical and Research Foundation.

Social service
Adinarayana Rao is popular across India, especially in North India, for his treatment of polio victims. He held about 1000 orthopedic camps across the country for the benefit of the polio-afflicted. Patients from states like Gujarat and Rajasthan and even foreign countries like USA, Canada and Pakistan (before the Kargil war) used to get treated by him. He performed more than three lakh surgeries and over 10 lakh operative procedures in over four decades. His affable nature and understanding endeared him to patients.

Awards
In 1988, Adinarayana Rao was presented a national Award by the Prime Minister of India for his welfare works for the disabled. He is also a recipient of the Madras Telugu Academy Award, Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Award, and the Mahaveer Foundation national award. In 2014, he received the National award for child welfare from the President of India. In 2022, he received Padma Shri.