June 08 2026
Dr Saikalyan Savarapu: Bringing global expertise to India
“Doctor, you look so young — how much experience do you really have?”
Dr Saikalyan Savarapu often hears this question from patients just before performing a complex brain tumour surgery or treating spinal disorders. His youthful appearance frequently prompts the query, bringing an instant smile to his face as he reassures patients and prepares for the task ahead.
Many of those who initially question his experience later become his strongest advocates, having witnessed first-hand the dedication, compassion and precision he brings to his work. “Patient trust serves as a constant reminder that surgery is not merely a technical profession — it is a relationship built on confidence, accountability, and compassion,” remarks Dr Saikalyan, Associate Director and Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon (Brain and Spine Surgeon), Institute of Neurosciences, AIG Hospitals, in conversation with The Global Indian.
Inspired by his father
Dr Saikalyan’s journey towards medicine began in childhood. “One of the greatest influences in my life was my father, whose career as a physician exemplified compassion, empathy, and dedication to patient care,” says Dr Saikalyan. His father, Dr Nagaraj, a retired Professor and Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at Kurnool Medical College, instilled in him the values of empathy and compassion. “Watching him serve people selflessly, and witnessing the respect and trust he earned from patients and the community, left a lasting impression on me.”
Shy student, natural athlete
Born in Hyderabad, Dr Saikalyan completed his schooling up to the seventh standard at St. Joseph’s English Medium School and from the 8th to 10th standard at Montessori School, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
During his school years, he was a shy and reserved student. “While I performed reasonably well academically, I was more passionate about creative pursuits such as story writing, screenplays, and film direction,” he says — drawn naturally towards extracurricular activities, sports, and games.
His mother, S Padmini, was instrumental in nurturing these sporting interests. Despite living in a relatively small town at a time when organised sports training was not widely available, she ensured her son had opportunities to participate in cricket coaching and tennis programmes. “Her support laid the foundation for my achievements in sports.”
As a young athlete, Dr Saikalyan represented the Kurnool District Under-14 Cricket Team and won the Under-14 Tennis Championship. “These experiences taught me discipline, teamwork, and perseverance — qualities that have remained with me throughout my life.”
From plastic surgery to neurosurgery
Although Dr Saikalyan’s initial aspiration was to become a plastic surgeon, life guided him towards a different path. He completed his MBBS from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2007, his MS in General Surgery from D Y Patil University, Pune in 2012, and his MCh in Neurosurgery from Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad in 2016.
“It was the pragmatic and inspiring teaching of Prof G Prakash Rao, Professor and Head of Neurosurgery at Gandhi Medical College and General Hospital, that drew me decisively towards the discipline of neurosurgery,” says Dr Saikalyan, who also credits his mentor, Dr (Brig.) BB Dogra, with profoundly influencing his outlook on medicine and life.
Training abroad
From serving in some of the most reputed institutions in the UK to receiving advanced training in Japan and Turkey, Dr Saikalyan has given a new lease of life to thousands of patients, nationally and internationally.
After completing his residency in India, Dr Saikalyan received a clinical attachment at The Walton Centre in Liverpool, United Kingdom, one of the world’s foremost neuroscience institutions. “I spent nearly three months there, gaining valuable exposure to advanced neurosurgical practices and learning important surgical techniques that broadened my clinical perspective.”
He was then selected for the prestigious World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Fellowship in Cerebrovascular Surgery at Fujita Health University in Japan, under the mentorship of pioneers in cerebrovascular surgery, Professor Yoko Kato and Professor Sano. He spent three months refining his microsurgical skills. “The fellowship provided me with an opportunity to learn from internationally acclaimed experts and further strengthen my surgical expertise.”
Further refining his expertise, Dr Saikalyan underwent fellowship training in minimally invasive spine surgery under Professor Mehmet Zileli in Turkey, an internationally respected authority in spinal surgery, spending a couple of months focusing on minimally invasive neurosurgical techniques.
“These international experiences allowed me not only to enhance my technical skills but also to understand different healthcare delivery systems across the world.” He came to appreciate that every nation develops a healthcare system tailored to its own social, economic, and cultural realities. “These experiences encouraged me to think deeply about how high-quality, patient-centred healthcare could be adapted and delivered effectively in India.”
Back home
Despite opportunities to pursue a long-term career overseas, Dr Saikalyan never seriously considered settling abroad. As the only son in his family, he felt a strong responsibility towards his roots and was committed to contributing to healthcare back home.
My goal was always to bring back the knowledge, skills, and best practices I had acquired internationally and apply them to improve patient care in India.
Dr Saikalyan Savarapu
Upon returning, he briefly served in government healthcare before joining KIMS Hospitals, Hyderabad, where he worked for five years. “This period was instrumental in shaping my professional identity and understanding the practical challenges of delivering quality healthcare at scale.” He then joined AIG.
Life at AIG
As Associate Director of the Department of Neurosciences, Dr Saikalyan maintains a balance between clinical practice, academics, research, and professional training. A significant part of his day is dedicated to evaluating patients, performing complex neurosurgical procedures, and closely monitoring their progress. “Equally important is communicating with patients’ families and caregivers, keeping them informed about the patient’s condition, treatment options, and expected outcomes,” he says, adding that effective communication and empathy are essential components of quality healthcare.
Patient care within the neurosciences department often requires a multidisciplinary approach. Dr Saikalyan regularly collaborates with colleagues from various specialities, conducting team discussions and case reviews to determine the most appropriate, evidence-based treatment strategies. “These multidisciplinary meetings ensure that patients receive holistic and individualised care.” He remains deeply grateful to institutional leaders and mentors — Dr D Nageswar Reddy, Dr G V Rao, and Dr Subodh Raju of AIG — for their consistent guidance and encouragement.
A first for the Telugu states
A firm believer in integrating technological advancement with surgical precision, Dr Saikalyan and his team achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first in the combined Telugu States to perform the Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (UBE-TLIF) procedure under neuronavigation. His expertise has earned him recognition as a national and international faculty member, proctor, and cadaveric demonstrator at several academic conferences and workshops.
Every case is a challenging case
One of the earliest and most memorable challenges in his career was performing an intracranial aneurysm surgery independently after returning from his advanced cerebrovascular training in Japan. “The responsibility weighed heavily on me. I spent the entire day before the surgery mentally preparing myself, anticipating every possible challenge and planning for various scenarios.” With meticulous preparation, guidance from his training, and, as he puts it, God’s grace, the procedure was successfully completed and the patient achieved a good outcome. “That experience strengthened my confidence while also reinforcing the importance of preparation and humility in surgical practice.”
Managing complex cerebellopontine angle (CP angle) tumours and challenging craniovertebral junction (CVJ) procedures has equally tested both his technical skills and decision-making. “These cases often demand extensive planning, precision, patience, and teamwork to achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Every case is a challenging case, and every patient is unique. No matter how much experience a surgeon gains, each operation presents its own set of complexities, uncertainties, and responsibilities.
Dr Saikalyan Savarapu
While he firmly believes that every patient deserves the same level of attention and care, there are occasions when public figures, celebrities, senior professionals, or political leaders seek treatment. “In such situations, the pressure can be substantial because they place immense trust in your expertise.” His approach remains consistent: the same dedication, preparation, humility, and respect, regardless of the patient’s background.
Safety over speed
One aspect that has greatly influenced his surgical practice is a deep respect for potential complications. “I may not be the fastest surgeon in the operating room, but I firmly believe that patient safety should always take precedence over speed,” says Dr Saikalyan, for whom a successful surgery is not only about technical excellence but also about anticipating and preventing complications — whether arising from one’s own actions or from unforeseen circumstances.
Beyond the operating theatre, he strongly advocates the importance of physical and mental well-being, believing that professional excellence can be sustained only when both mind and body remain healthy. “Remaining calm and composed helps me stay grounded.”
India’s moment in neurosurgery
Having trained and worked across different healthcare systems, Dr Saikalyan firmly believes that India occupies a unique and highly significant position in neurosurgery. “The clinical exposure available to neurosurgeons in India is unparalleled, providing invaluable opportunities for learning, innovation, and expertise that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.”
Over the past decade, the rapid adoption of advanced technologies, modern surgical techniques, improved imaging modalities, and state-of-the-art infrastructure has significantly enhanced the quality of neurosurgical care in India.
Today, many Indian centres are capable of delivering outcomes that match the highest international standards. As a result, India has emerged as an important destination for patients seeking specialised medical treatment.
Dr Saikalyan Savarapu
He believes the next stage of growth requires a greater emphasis on structure and systems. “While we possess outstanding talent, dedicated professionals, and world-class clinical capabilities, there remains an opportunity to create more standardised frameworks for training, education, and healthcare delivery.” If these systems can be built successfully, India has the potential not only to excel clinically but also to become a global leader in healthcare innovation, education, and patient care.
The road ahead
One of Dr Saikalyan’s most important professional goals is to contribute to the development of a structured and comprehensive training system for neurosurgical residents and young surgeons. “I believe that future generations should have access to standardised curricula, mentorship programmes, simulation-based learning, and objective assessment systems that allow them to reach their full potential.”
Alongside his clinical responsibilities, he is actively involved in teaching and mentoring students, residents, and young surgeons. He serves as national and international faculty at reputed conferences, workshops, and educational programmes — delivering lectures, conducting surgical training sessions, and performing cadaveric demonstrations. “I also serve as a proctor for innovative and emerging technologies in spine surgery, assisting surgeons and healthcare institutions in adopting new techniques safely and effectively.”
Family and life beyond the OT
Behind his professional accomplishments stands the steadfast support of his family. He considers his greatest strengths to be his wife, Dr Gita Krishna, Associate Professor of Radiology, and his daughters, Reya and Neya. Despite the demands of a busy clinical and academic career, he makes it a priority to spend quality time with them. “These moments help me maintain balance, perspective, and a sense of gratitude amidst the responsibilities of professional life.”
Dr Saikalyan is also passionate about travelling and exploring new places, cultures, and experiences. “Travel provides an opportunity to step away from routine, broaden my horizons, and learn from different people and environments.”
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