Dr K S Sanjivi award was given to nine doctors on Sunday for their devoted, committed and indefatigable services to the poor and underprivileged section of the society.

The award was granted by NGOs Ekam Foundation and Udhavum Ullangal and given by Health Secretary V K Subburaj.

Among the nine recipients, Shiva Prasad Sahoo, an ophthalmologist from Orissa has dedicated his life to eradicate blindness in tribal areas of the state.

Likewise, L Muthusamy, a general practitioner from Madurai was also honored for devoting his lifetime savings for the downtrodden. He bears the cost of treatment of coolies when they were unable to work due to illness. Muthusamy, while receiving the award thanks his mentor C Ramasubramaniam, a renowned psychiatrist from Madurai who recommends him to serve the people.

Vanaja, another recipient, who was acknowledged for transforming Medavakkam Public Health Centre into a model one for the rest of the country to follow. Currently she is holding the position of the Joint Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

In addition to the above names, one more important person is awarded who had spent his life in the treatment of over 300 mentally challenged children, he is P Amutha Rajeshwari.

Dr Sarala Rajajee, pediatric hematologist and immunologist from Mehta hospital, also received the award for excellent serving of sick children along with their parents.

Furthermore, R Krishnamoorthy, a hand and microsurgeon at Government Stanley Hospital, also received the award for restoring the limbs of numerous patients, most of them being laborers from north Chennai.

Subramaniya Bharathiyar, Professor and Head of the Department of Anaesthesia, Stanley hospital, also get reorganization for helping the victims of natural calamities across the country. Another doctor JSN Murthy, who also received the award for helping 35 children to undergo free surgery.

To add to this list, one more doctor, Pushpa from the Institute of Child Health received Lifetime Achievement Award for helping children suffering with cancer. Few more names to receive the award includes Sri Ramachandra Math and Mission and Isha Outreach.