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G. Bakthavathsalam is an Indian surgeon who is the chairman and managing trustee of Dharmaveera K Govindaswamy Naidu Medical Trust, which runs the K.G. Hospital in Coimbatore, India. He was awarded a Padma Shri in 2005. Dr GB, as he is known, was born on 5 April 1942 at Annur village of Coimbatore district and graduated with a Masters of Science (MBBS - 1964) from Madras Medical College. He then received his post graduate training in surgery at the Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago (USA).
G. Bakthavathsalam | |
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| Born | Govindaswamy Bakthavathsalam 5 April 1942 |
| Alma mater | Madras Medical College |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Padmashri, B.C.Roy, Dharmaveera, Life Time Achievement, Jewel of Coimbatore |
| Website | www |
Career
editOn the call given by his father, Dharmaveera K. Govindaswamy, to serve the poor in the field of healthcare, Bakthavathsalam returned to India in 1973. In 1974, his father, Dharmaveera K Govindaswamy Naidu set up KG Hospital.
Initially, what started as 10-beds and 1 doctor hospital, KG Hospital has grown into a 550-bedded multi, super specialized post graduate medical center.[citation needed]
He established the K.G. Eye Hospital, where 85,000 free cataract surgeries have been done for the poor. The eye surgeries were paid for by Lions club. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former president of India, mentioned KG Hospital's efforts in his book India 2020.
Under Bakthavathsalam's leadership, KG Hospital has performed 1600 free heart surgeries and 1,500 dialysis free of cost. Under KG Hospital's little hearts scheme, 500 heart operations have been performed on children and 35,000 children have been screened for heart diseases. Further, over 300,000 adults have been screened free of cost for blood pressure and 35,000 accident victims have been saved. KG Hospital routinely conducts rural medical camps - 14 lakh + people have been screened free through this initiative.
KG Hospital provided free treatment to 250 bomb blast victims at Coimbatore in 1998 and contributed substantially for the victims of the Kargil War, Gujarat earthquake, the kumbakonam school fire tragedy, tsunami, Thane cyclone, and the recent Kerala floods.
Positions held
editBakthavathsalam has held numerous positions in his career in the healthcare sector and has chaired in the following positions: Prof. of Surgery, Govt. Royapettah Hospital, Madras, Registrar of Surgery, Coimbatore Medical College, (1969–73) |. Surgical Registrar - Altoona Hospital, Altoona, Pennsylvania, U.S.A, (1973) | Fellow in GI Endoscopy at Tokyo University, Japan (1984) | Consultant Surgeon - G. Kuppusamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, Coimbatore (1978) | Recognized Guide for Ph.D. research students of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, (since 1985) | Hon. Prof. of Surgery - PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Coimbatore (1988)
He has served as president of: Uro Lithiasis Project Scheme (ICMR), Indian Medical Association (1986–87), Association of Surgeons of India — Coimbatore, Accident Care Association of Coimbatore, Coimbatore Hospitals' Association, Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India (1991)
Memberships
editHe has also been a member of national and regional committees in India, including the following.
Medical Council of India, New Delhi (1972–1990), Planning Board, Dr. M.G.R.Medical University, Chennai (1994), Planning Board, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (1990), Syndicate, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (1983–86), Senate, Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore (1990–93), Board of Governors— Indira Gandhi School of Management, Pondicherry University (1990), Executive Committee, Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu State Telephone Advisory Committee
He currently holds management positions in various KG Group ventures, including KG Hospital, The Kannapiran Mills, The Kadri Mills, KG Healthcare, and KG Information Systems Private Limited.
Accolades
editIn 1984, he received Dr. B. C. Roy Award from Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
In 1999, the Seva Ratna Award from the Centenarian Trust
In 2001, the Vaidya Ratna Award from Sri Adichunchanagiri Maha Samsthana Math.
In 2003, the Life Time Achievement Award from Salem Gastro Centre.
In 2005, he received the Padma Shri (for his work in medicine) from the then President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. The same year he received The Jewel of Coimbatore Award and the PSG Dinstinguished Alumni.
In 2008, he received the Manithaneya Maruthuva Maadhava Maamani, and the Chandrayan of Doctors from the Indian Medical Association, Mettupalayam.
On 10 November 2009, he received the D.Sc. (honoris causa) from the MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu, India. The same year, he received Maruthuva Dharma Chemmal Award, from the Indian Medical Association, Palani.
In 2010, he received Sri Sakthi Amma Oration Award, from Narayani Peedam, Vellore, and the Dr. Rajammmal P. Devados Oration Award from Avinashilingam University for women, Coimbatore.
In 2011, he received the Pro-Life Award, by the Life for All and Life International USA, The Dr. K.P. Misra Endowment Oration Award, by the Sri Jagannath Spirutual Educational Cultural Trust & The Utkal Association of Madras, and an Honorary Fellowship, by the Quality Council of India, New Dehli.
In 2015, he received the Siksha Vibhushan - Educational Excellence the Highest Award, by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University - Mount Abu.
In 2016, he received the Dharma Veera Award, by the Medical Fraternity of Coimbatore Region.
In 2017, he received the TMPA LIMRA Excellence Award, from the Tamilnadu Medical Practitioners Association, and the Award of appreciation - 2017, of Tamil Nadu Government for outstanding performance in Organ Transplant related activities. He also received the Award for Excellence Teaching DNB Programmes.
In 2018, he received an Emeritus Teacher Award from DNB National Board, the Vocational Excellence Award from the Rotary Club, and he was named Legend of Coimbatore by Dr. Mohan's Diabetic Specialities Centre.
In 2019, he received the Great Divine Healer Award by the Coimbatore Mutipurpose Social Service Society, the Eminent Educator Award from VGM Foundation, Coimbatore, the Jewel of India Award from Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya, Mt. Abu, Rajasthan, and the Thought Leader Award from the KG Hospital 's Postgraduates & CRRIs.
In 2021, he was named Healthcare Icon/ Leader National 2021 by Economic Times.
Further reading
edit- The Hindu Business Line : Blending business with service The Hindu - 17 January 2004
- Dr G Bakthavathsalam awarded the D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) by MGR Medical University The Hindu - 10 November 2009
- KG Foundation honours six with `Personality of the Decade' award The Hindu - 5 November 2005
- `Medical education should focus on social needs' The Hindu - 21 August 2005
External links
edit- Coimbatore's healing touch[usurped] The Hindu - 16 March 2006
- ADDRESS LIST OF PADMA AWARDEES-2005 PADMA VIBHUSHAN (9) 1. Dr. Bal - Indian Government
- KG Hospital