“Legacy of Giving”- Dr. N. M. Veeraiyan

Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan’s philanthropy is not a series of isolated acts—it is a lifetime commitment to service. His initiatives have educated thousands, healed millions, and inspired communities to strive for self-reliance, dignity, and progress. Through his vision and generosity, he continues to build not only institutions of excellence but also a more equitable and compassionate society. He is widely recognized not only as an educationist and institution builder but also as a compassionate philanthropist whose initiatives have transformed countless lives. His philanthropic vision is deeply rooted in the belief that quality education, accessible healthcare, and sustainable community development are fundamental rights that should be available to all, regardless of socio-economic background.

Empowering Communities through Education

Dr. Veeraiyan has established multiple educational institutions offering world-class learning at affordable costs, creating pathways for students from rural and economically challenged backgrounds to access opportunities that were once beyond their reach. Through merit scholarships, fee waivers, and outreach programs, thousands of deserving students—especially from underprivileged communities—have been able to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, engineering, law, and allied health sciences.

Transforming Healthcare Access

Guided by the principle that healthcare is a basic human right, Dr. Veeraiyan has championed free and low-cost medical, dental, and surgical care through SIMATS’ hospitals and outreach programs. His leadership has ensured the treatment of thousands of patients annually, often at zero cost, especially in rural and underserved areas. Mobile medical units, specialty health camps, and telemedicine services have extended care to remote communities, bridging the urban–rural healthcare gap.

Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility

As a strong advocate of environmental stewardship, Dr. Veeraiyan has directed substantial institutional resources toward Green Campus Initiatives, renewable energy adoption, waste-to-energy projects, afforestation drives, and community awareness programs. These efforts not only benefit the SIMATS community but also empower surrounding villages to adopt sustainable practices, directly contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Disaster Relief and Social Welfare

In times of crisis, Dr. Veeraiyan’s philanthropy has been swift and impactful. From providing medical aid during natural disasters to supporting frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, his initiatives have prioritized both immediate relief and long-term recovery. SIMATS hospitals played a critical role in COVID-19 management, treating thousands of patients, supplying oxygen beds, and running one of the country’s notable ECMO programs.

Cultural and Social Development

Believing that community enrichment extends beyond health and education, Dr. Veeraiyan supports programs that preserve cultural heritage, promote arts and sports, and encourage youth leadership. Legal aid programs, rural literacy campaigns, and women empowerment initiatives have been integral parts of his philanthropic outreach.

Funds Mobilised to Empower Education via Scholarships

Every year, our university allocates an impressive ₹150+ crore towards student scholarships, ensuring that deserving and meritorious students have the financial support they need to excel. This investment reflects our commitment to inclusive education, talent recognition, and the empowerment of future leaders across all disciplines. Through these scholarships, we not only reduce the financial burden on students but also encourage academic excellence, extra-curricular achievement, and personal growth, fostering a vibrant and competitive learning environment.

SIMATS contributed ₹1 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for pandemic and flood relief during 2020–2021. Saveetha Hospital has played a leading role in managing one of the highest caseloads of COVID-19 patients among private hospitals in India. To date, over 6,500 patients have been successfully treated. The hospital allocated 500 dedicated COVID beds, comprising 250 oxygen-supported beds, 50 ICU beds, and 80 HDU beds, all of which reached nearly full occupancy during the second wave,” stated Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan, Founder and Chancellor of SIMATS. More than 900 critically ill patients have been treated in the COVID ICU, where an advanced ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) program is actively in place for severe cases. Patient management is undertaken by 15 specialized medical teams, backed by a skilled nursing and physiotherapy workforce delivering 24/7 high-quality care. The COVID ICU is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including 35 high-end ventilators, 10 BiPAP and CPAP machines, high-flow nasal oxygen systems, ECMO units, dialysis machines, and other critical care equipment. All COVID-19 treatments strictly follow the guidelines and protocols established by national and state health authorities. His philanthropy also extended to direct relief measures—the distribution of rice, groceries, and cooked meals in pandemic-hit villages such as Cuddalore, Thiruvannamalai, and Thiruvallur. These efforts were not symbolic gestures but well-coordinated operations, with students and faculty under the Department of Community Health Nursing personally delivering aid to households in need, embodying Dr. Veeraiyan’s belief that education must also cultivate compassion. Sanitary workers, often overlooked yet at the frontline of community hygiene, received targeted support in the form of preventive health programs and essential supplies, reflecting his commitment to protecting those most at risk. Looking beyond immediate crisis management, Dr. Veeraiyan invested in post-COVID care clinics, enabling long-term monitoring and treatment of recovered patients, while encouraging faculty and postgraduate students to undertake COVID-related research projects that have since been published in reputed journals, adding to global scientific understanding of the disease. His stewardship earned Saveetha Medical College recognition as the 3rd Best Private Hospital in India for COVID Care (2020), awarded the prestigious Healthgiri Award, and cemented the reputation of SIMATS as a centre of service and innovation in times of adversity. Through these efforts, Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan’s philanthropy was not confined to financial generosity—it was expressed through action, infrastructure, and the mobilization of an entire academic community to stand with the nation. By uniting medical expertise, student engagement, and compassionate outreach, his leadership during COVID-19 left a lasting legacy: a healthier, better-prepared, and more resilient society.

Driven by the belief that life-saving and life-changing healthcare should never be denied due to financial constraints, Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan, Founder and Chancellor of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), has established dedicated centers that deliver specialized surgical care entirely free of cost to patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Saveetha Cleft and Craniofacial Center – Restoring Smiles, Transforming Lives

Initiated in 2018, the Saveetha Cleft and Craniofacial Center offers free cleft lip and palate surgeries to unaffordable patients, along with a holistic package of care. Services include expert surgical correction, hospitalization, essential medications, on-campus accommodation, and the provision of balanced, nutritious meals throughout the patient’s stay. Between 2018 and 2025, the center has benefitted 1,216 patients, delivering surgeries and supportive care worth ₹2,65,03,720 completely free of charge. Beyond the surgical outcome, the center restores confidence, social acceptance, and the ability to speak and eat normally, giving children and adults a renewed chance at a full life.

Saveetha Oral Cancer Center – Comprehensive Cancer Care for All

In a similar spirit of service, the Saveetha Oral Cancer Center delivers comprehensive, free surgical care for patients with oral cancer who are unable to afford treatment. This includes complex surgical procedures, hospitalization, medications, accommodation within the campus, and nutritious meals for the duration of recovery. Since inception, the center has benefitted 404 patients, providing surgeries and supportive care valued at ₹4,84,80,000 without charging a single rupee. For many, this intervention means not only survival but the chance to reclaim quality of life, speech, and nutrition post-treatment.

Philanthropy in Action

These initiatives are a direct reflection of Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan’s unwavering commitment to using institutional expertise and resources for the welfare of society’s most vulnerable. By removing the financial barrier to treatment, he ensures that no patient is denied care due to poverty. The impact is both medical and social—transforming individual lives, uplifting families, and strengthening communities.

From restoring a child’s smile to saving the life of an oral cancer patient, these programs stand as enduring symbols of compassionate healthcare, turning Dr. Veeraiyan’s philanthropic vision into measurable, life-changing outcomes.

For nine-year-old Dhanya, life changed abruptly at the age of three when a small cane-like spot appeared on her face. What her parents initially thought to be a minor blood clot turned into a rare and devastating facial deformity, gradually affecting her right eye, jaw, and lip. The syndrome, doctors explained, was so rare that it occurred in only one in seven lakh individuals. Over the years, Dhanya’s parents sought help from more than six hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital in Egmore, taking on crushing debts in the hope of a cure. Despite their relentless efforts, her condition only worsened. The physical pain was compounded by emotional trauma—classmates avoided her, teachers isolated her, and she was even denied participation in a school dance competition on Independence Day. Once a cheerful child, Dhanya began to dread going to school, her confidence shattered and her social life erased. This critical intervention was made possible through the philanthropic vision of Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan, Founder and Chancellor of Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS). Guided by his lifelong commitment to providing world-class, free medical care for those who cannot afford it, Dr. Veeraiyan ensured that every aspect of Dhanya’s treatment—from diagnostic tests and surgical expenses to hospitalization, medications, and nutritious meals—was provided entirely free of cost. His belief that “no child should suffer for want of resources” turned into action, mobilizing the hospital’s best surgeons, technology, and facilities for Dhanya’s case. For Dhanya and her family, this was more than a successful surgery—it was the return of dignity, the possibility of going back to school without fear, and the restoration of a smile that had been lost for years. For the community, it was a reminder of what can be achieved when medical expertise and philanthropy converge.

Dr. N.M. Veeraiyan has contributed to social service by actively leading and funding initiatives that make SIMATS inclusive, accessible, and equitable for all students, staff, and visitors. Under his guidance, SIMATS has implemented a wide range of barrier-free facilities for persons with disabilities—ramps, elevators, accessible washrooms, wide corridors, tactile markings for the visually impaired, audio signals, wheelchair arrangements, and designated parking. He has ensured special provisions such as maternity restrooms, feeding rooms, and battery-operated vehicles for mobility-impaired individuals on campus. On the social inclusion front, he has championed disability support services, assistive technologies like screen readers and braille displays, and staff training on disability awareness. He has also created an LGBT-friendly environment through inclusive policies, safe spaces, sensitization programs, and support groups—ensuring respect, safety, and equal opportunities for all sexual orientations and gender identities. These measures go beyond regulatory compliance; they represent philanthropy through systemic change, breaking barriers to education and participation. By investing in infrastructure, technology, and sensitization programs, Dr. Veeraiyan is not only providing physical access but also fostering social acceptance, dignity, and empowerment—key hallmarks of meaningful social service.

When every second can mean the difference between life and loss, we must rise above limitations—sometimes quite literally—to reach those in need."

– Dr. N. M. Veeraiyan