The trust, established in memory of Dr. Sivaiah’s late father, has already conducted many free surgeries and organized more than 50 rural medical camps across the state. These camps don’t merely offer treatment—they serve as platforms for education, screening, and preventive care, focusing on early diagnosis of joint disorders and de-stigmatizing surgical intervention.
In a significant push to address orthopedic health inequalities in rural Andhra Pradesh, renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Potla Sivaiah has announced an expansion of his philanthropic medical initiative, the Potla Nageswar Rao Trust, aiming to provide free joint replacement surgeries. The announcement comes as part of a broader campaign to increase awareness and access to orthopedic care among India’s rural elderly—many of whom suffer in silence due to lack of resources and medical access.
“Too often, joint pain is dismissed as a natural part of aging,” said Dr. Sivaiah during a press meet in Guntur. “Our goal is to change that mindset and provide real solutions—especially to those who’ve never had access to quality orthopedic care.”
A native of a small village in Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Potla Sivaiah’s journey is emblematic of perseverance. Orphaned of his father at 13 and raised in a home without electricity, he studied under streetlights and walked miles to attend school. His humble beginnings never deterred him. Instead, they shaped a deep empathy that now defines his medical practice.
Now with nearly two decades of surgical experience, Dr. Sivaiah has treated thousands of patients, from daily wage workers to fellow doctors. He is widely respected for his conservative approach—preferring non-surgical treatment when viable—and his embrace of modern techniques such as robot-assisted joint replacement surgeries. His work has earned him a trusted reputation not only in India but also among international patients seeking affordable, high-quality orthopedic care.
The Trust’s latest expansion is expected to focus on Guntur district in Andhra, Collaborations with local health departments and village leaders are underway to identify candidates for free surgeries and extend physiotherapy support post-operation.
Away from the operating theatre, Dr. Sivaiah is also a family man and a connoisseur of Carnatic music and Indian heritage art. He lives by a quiet ethos: that medical excellence is not just a matter of skill, but of service.
As India grapples with rising cases of osteoarthritis—over 22% of the elderly population suffers from disabling joint issues according to a recent ICMR study—initiatives like Dr. Sivaiah’s offer more than healing. They offer hope.