Dr S.C. Bantwal
Neurosurgeon
The journey of Dr S.C. Bantwal, started with a solid academic grounding in Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, where he did both MBBS and Master of Surgery in General Surgery. Right from the beginning, he showed that unique combination of intellectual discipline and empathy and was in the top group of his batch. Dr S.C. Bantwal was driven by a fiery passion for the spine and brain and went on to complete a senior residency in neurosurgery from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. The experience there honed his clinical skills and acquainted him with challenging neurological diseases and helped him develop surgical confidence and clinical sensitivity.
His amenability and enthusiasm made him the first candidate of Karnataka to be selected for the most desired M.Ch Neurosurgery program at PGIMER, Chandigarh under Prof. V K Kak who was the then President of the world federation of Neurosurgeons. These were the years which grounded him with the technical background and intellectual seriousness that later defined his path-breaking endeavors in the discipline. As a measure to enhance his experience, Dr S.C. Bantwal got further training overseas.
He went for a fellowship in keyhole and endoscopic neurosurgery at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz Germany, with the pioneer in the field Dr Pernezsky, an experience that changed his operative philosophy. He then went further for additional training in microvascular neurosurgery in the prestigious Barrow Neurological Institute of Phoenix, Arizona and neuro interventional procedures in Dotter Institute, Portland, Oregon where the procedure of Angioplasty and stent was first devised. Such foreign experience made him capable to introduce the latest techniques of the world into his setting in India and infused in him a lifelong dedication to the minimally invasive neurosurgery at the same time never letting go of his love for India and its people.
Mastering the Art of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr S.C. Bantwal is a strong proponent of minimally invasive and keyhole surgical procedures designed to achieve maximum results with minimal disruption to surrounding brain structures. His belief in precise, tissue-sparing techniques led to a historic milestone in 1989, when he was on the team performing India’s first transnasal endoscope assisted brain surgery. By accessing brain tumors through the nasal passage, he set a new benchmark for non-invasive neurosurgical procedures in the country. Over time, he has also mastered the art of performing awake craniotomies, where patients are kept conscious during surgery to allow real-time neurological feedback. These procedures demand not just surgical skill but a rare degree of trust between surgeon and patient, which Dr S.C. Bantwal nurtures through transparent communication and deep empathy. By minimizing trauma, reducing hospital stays, and preserving neurological function, his techniques reflect a marriage of science and soul.
Despite his technical accomplishments, what sets Dr S.C. Bantwal apart is his unwavering focus on compassion. His personal motto ‘Neurosurgery with a Heart’ is not merely a tagline but a way of life. Every patient, he believes, deserves to be treated as one would
treat a loved one. He devotes time to explaining medical conditions, available treatment options, and expected outcomes in clear, honest terms. This openness builds trust and helps families make informed, confident decisions. He frequently reminds his students and colleagues that medicine is not merely a career, it is a moral responsibility. “Treat every patient like your relative. Give back to society what you have received. Medicine is not just science, but a service of humanity”, says Dr S.C. Bantwal.
Over the years, he has been a recipient of many Regional, National and International awards from Social groups, Maharajas and Governors. In 2021, the Health Minister of India honored him with a Lifetime charitable service in Neurosciences award. Ministers of the UAE along with their Indian counterparts at the Indo Arab leadership summit in Dubai 2024 also gave him the title ‘Pioneer of Modern Neurosurgery in Southwest India and the GCC’. However, Dr S.C. Bantwal’s personal favorite is a small heartfelt handwritten note of thanks from a patient in Shimla which he proudly displays.
Championing Teamwork & Shared Responsibility
Dr S.C. Bantwal views neurosurgery not as an individual pursuit but as a collaborative effort. He advocates for a multidisciplinary approach whereby neurologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists, and special nursing teams come in. He is convinced that all professional personnel from the operation room and beyond are crucial for the achievement of the desirable recovery of a patient. He even accepts that Ayurveda and indigenous medicine too helps and goes on to lecture at those institutions. His all-inclusive leadership style establishes mutual regard, smooth communication and it leads to creation of cohesive ecosystem where each member of the team feels enabled to deliver their level best.
Embracing Innovation with an Eye on Affordability
While Dr S.C. Bantwal is at the front line for implementing modern medical technology, he also goes to the same lengths to ensure that the technology is accessible. His practice uses cutting-edge technology such as stereotactic surgery, intraoperative neuromonitoring and imageguided navigation, allowing for improved and safe surgical performance. However, he makes sure that such innovations can be used without having to inflate the cost of patients unnecessarily. He has also worked with the world’s expert neurosurgeons to developing specialized instruments which are now produced and are used in the country’s hospitals. These innovations are driven by the principle that financial hardship should never be a barrier to receiving world-class care. In recent years, Dr S.C. Bantwal has kept abreast of the latest techniques and accordingly is able to direct patients towards the best centres for that particular problem rather than try to do it all, thus ensuring that his operating protocols remain ahead of the curve. However, he maintains that no matter how advanced technology becomes, it cannot replace the warmth of a caring doctor or the soundness of experienced clinical judgment.
Having had heart-to-heart talks with spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama and armed with the fact that his grandfather walked with his namesake Sai baba of Shirdi whose motto was ‘Sabka Malik Ek’, outside hospital walls Dr S.C. Bantwal has made it his mission to extend neurosurgical care to India’s underserved regions. Through the Sri Sai Charitable Foundation of which he is the chairman and other community initiatives, he has organized rural medical camps across Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh offering diagnosis, medicines, counseling and surgical intervention at little or no cost. These outreach programs not only provide relief to the suffering in remote areas but also sensitize people on the subject of neurological health. In fact, he is personally always available to guide anybody who needs medical advice or direction and at all times especially during COVID his words and clips were a lifeline for a multitude of people both in India and across the world.
Education is another base to his mission. As a mentor of young neuro surgeons, he not only supports and teaches technical skill but also teaches empathy, ethics, and dignities of the patients.
Dr S.C. Bantwal continues to perform intricate surgeries with the same ardor and dedication, which marked his early years. His life is a testament to what is achievable when excellence is combined with empathy, and when a surgeon’s hands are equally shaped by cutting edge technology, compassion and a never-say-die attitude that drives him to this day. From the operation theatre to the remotest village clinic, his presence inspires hope. He treats previous prime ministers, dignitaries and is consultant to royal families in some Gulf countries yet serves and loves the poorest of the poor. As a surgeon, teacher, innovator, and humanitarian, Dr S.C. Bantwal exemplifies the kind of leadership that redefines the purpose of medicine not merely to treat illness, but to uplift life.
Future Vision
Dr S.C. Bantwal envisions a future in which world class neurosurgical treatment is not geographically or socioeconomically restricted. He wishes to develop a more equal health system in which quality care is available to all citizens, from cities to villages. This plan involves increasing telemedicine consultations, low-cost rehabilitation, and public education regarding neurological disorders. Guided by the Indian principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which implies ‘the world is one family’, he believes that true medical progress is measured not by prestige but by how widely and equitably it is shared. His dream is not only of more advanced surgeries, but also of a society where every patient receives care with dignity, regardless of background or income.
Over the years, he has been a recipient of many Regional, National and International awards from Social groups, Maharajas and Governors. In 2021, the Health Minister of India honored him with a Lifetime charitable service in Neurosciences award. Ministers of the UAE along with their Indian counterparts at the Indo Arab leadership summit in Dubai 2024 also gave him the title ‘Pioneer of Modern Neurosurgery in Southwest India and the GCC’. However, Dr S.C. Bantwal’s personal favorite is a small heartfelt handwritten note of thanks from a patient in Shimla which he proudly displays.
Dr S.C. Bantwal exemplifies the kind of leadership that redefines the purpose of medicine not merely to treat illness, but to uplift life
Championing Teamwork & Shared Responsibility
Dr S.C. Bantwal views neurosurgery not as an individual pursuit but as a collaborative effort. He advocates for a multidisciplinary approach whereby neurologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, physiotherapists, rehabilitation specialists, and special nursing teams come in. He is convinced that all professional personnel from the operation room and beyond are crucial for the achievement of the desirable recovery of a patient. He even accepts that Ayurveda and indigenous medicine too helps and goes on to lecture at those institutions. His all-inclusive leadership style establishes mutual regard, smooth communication and it leads to creation of cohesive ecosystem where each member of the team feels enabled to deliver their level best.
Embracing Innovation with an Eye on Affordability
While Dr S.C. Bantwal is at the front line for implementing modern medical technology, he also goes to the same lengths to ensure that the technology is accessible. His practice uses cutting-edge technology such as stereotactic surgery, intraoperative neuromonitoring and imageguided navigation, allowing for improved and safe surgical performance. However, he makes sure that such innovations can be used without having to inflate the cost of patients unnecessarily. He has also worked with the world’s expert neurosurgeons to developing specialized instruments which are now produced and are used in the country’s hospitals. These innovations are driven by the principle that financial hardship should never be a barrier to receiving world-class care. In recent years, Dr S.C. Bantwal has kept abreast of the latest techniques and accordingly is able to direct patients towards the best centres for that particular problem rather than try to do it all, thus ensuring that his operating protocols remain ahead of the curve. However, he maintains that no matter how advanced technology becomes, it cannot replace the warmth of a caring doctor or the soundness of experienced clinical judgment.
Having had heart-to-heart talks with spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama and armed with the fact that his grandfather walked with his namesake Sai baba of Shirdi whose motto was ‘Sabka Malik Ek’, outside hospital walls Dr S.C. Bantwal has made it his mission to extend neurosurgical care to India’s underserved regions. Through the Sri Sai Charitable Foundation of which he is the chairman and other community initiatives, he has organized rural medical camps across Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh offering diagnosis, medicines, counseling and surgical intervention at little or no cost. These outreach programs not only provide relief to the suffering in remote areas but also sensitize people on the subject of neurological health. In fact, he is personally always available to guide anybody who needs medical advice or direction and at all times especially during COVID his words and clips were a lifeline for a multitude of people both in India and across the world.
Education is another base to his mission. As a mentor of young neuro surgeons, he not only supports and teaches technical skill but also teaches empathy, ethics, and dignities of the patients.
Dr S.C. Bantwal continues to perform intricate surgeries with the same ardor and dedication, which marked his early years. His life is a testament to what is achievable when excellence is combined with empathy, and when a surgeon’s hands are equally shaped by cutting edge technology, compassion and a never-say-die attitude that drives him to this day. From the operation theatre to the remotest village clinic, his presence inspires hope. He treats previous prime ministers, dignitaries and is consultant to royal families in some Gulf countries yet serves and loves the poorest of the poor. As a surgeon, teacher, innovator, and humanitarian, Dr S.C. Bantwal exemplifies the kind of leadership that redefines the purpose of medicine not merely to treat illness, but to uplift life.
Future Vision
Dr S.C. Bantwal envisions a future in which world class neurosurgical treatment is not geographically or socioeconomically restricted. He wishes to develop a more equal health system in which quality care is available to all citizens, from cities to villages. This plan involves increasing telemedicine consultations, low-cost rehabilitation, and public education regarding neurological disorders. Guided by the Indian principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which implies ‘the world is one family’, he believes that true medical progress is measured not by prestige but by how widely and equitably it is shared. His dream is not only of more advanced surgeries, but also of a society where every patient receives care with dignity, regardless of background or income.
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