Dr. Vaibhav Pednekar, CEO and Managing Director of Westlands Laser Eye Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya has recently been honored with two prestigious awards: Hospital of the Year and Doctor of the Year. Originally from Rani Chennamma Nagar Belagavi, Dr. Pednekar completed his education at St. Paul’s High School in Belagavi, followed by college at GSS. He then obtained his degree from Vijaypura and pursued further specialization as an ophthalmologist in Kolhapur. Dr. Pednekar’s parents, Dr. Shrikant and Nanda Pednekar, reside in Belagavi, while his wife, Dr. Shraddha, also operates a hospital in Nairobi.
Reflecting on his journey as an eye surgeon, Dr. Vaibhav Pednekar shared, “My path has been filled with challenges and sacrifices, but the reward of restoring vision to blind patients and witnessing their happiness makes it all worthwhile.” He emphasized his approach to patient care, stating, “I view each patient as a member of my own family, treating them with the same level of care and compassion I would expect for my loved ones.”
These awards represent a significant milestone for the hospital’s rapid progress and growth, particularly considering its recent establishment in 2021. As the CEO of the hospital, Mr. Vaibhav expressed gratitude for the recognition, acknowledging the hardships he has faced as an eye surgeon.

He reiterated his commitment to improving the lives of his patients, stating, “The joy of restoring sight to the blind is immeasurable. I am dedicated to providing the same level of care to my patients as I would for my own family.”
He extended his appreciation to Jubilant Stewards of Africa, the organizers of the Pacesetters Awards Eastern Africa Chapter, for their tireless efforts in making the event a success. He also expressed special thanks to Mr. Jared for serving as an inspiration
Hats off to Dr. Vaibhav Pednekar.