Padma Shri Dr.G. Bakthavathsalam, Pioneer of Coimbatore

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Padma Shri Dr.Namburi.G. Bakthavathsalam 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.Born on April 5, 1942 at Annur village of Coimbatore district and graduated (MBBS - 1964) from Madras Medical College, and also having obtained an MS from the same college, he had his post graduate training in Surgery in Mount Sinai Hospital, Chicago (USA).

KG Hospital

On the clarion call given by his father, Dharmaveera K. Govindaswamy Naidu, to serve the poor countrymen in the field of healthcare, he returned to India in the year 1974 to set up KG Hospital. Initially, ten beds were put up. It has now grown into a 550-bedded multi and super speciality and post graduate medical center - a "Centre of Excellence" recognized in India and abroad and this hospital has the pride of treating over 4 million patients.

Humanitarian Efforts

He established the K.G. Eye Hospital, where 85,000 free cataract surgeries have been done for the poor. He has conducted 200 free heart surgeries, 1,500 dialysis free of cost, screened over 300,000 people free of cost for blood pressure and saved 35,000 accident victims.

He provided free treatment to 250 bomb blast victims at Coimbatore in 1998 and contributed substantially for the victims of the Kargil War, Gujarat earthquake and the recent tsunami. The nursing college created by him has produced thousands of nurses who are employed overseas.

Positions held

Bakthavathsalam 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

He 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

On Nov 10, 2009, he received the D.Sc. (honoris causa) from the MGR Medical University, Tamil Nadu, India. In 2005, He received the Padma Shri (for his work in medicine) from the then President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. He received Dr. B.C. Roy Award in 1984 from Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Seva Ratna Award in 1999 from the Centenarian Trust, Vaidya Ratna Award in 2001 from Sri Adichunchanagiri Maha Samsthana Math, Swamy Seva Puraskaram Award, Life Time Achievement Award from Salem Gastro Centre and “The Jewel of Coimbatore Award” in 2005.