G. Bakthavathsalam
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G. Bakthavathsalam | |
|---|---|
 Govindaswamy Bakthavathsalam | |
| Born | Govindaswamy Bakthavathsalam 5 April 1942 |
| Alma mater | Madras Medical College |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards |
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| Website | www |
Govindaswamy Bakthavathsalam (born 5 April 1942)[1] is an Indian surgeon and the chairman and managing trustee of the Dharmaveera K. Govindaswamy Naidu Medical Trust, which operates the K.G. Hospital in Coimbatore, India. Bakthavathsalam was awarded the Padma Shri in 2005 for his work in medicine.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Dr. Govindaswamy Bakthavathsalam, known as Dr. G. Bakthavathsalam, was born on 5 April 1942 in the village of Annur, in the Coimbatore district. In 1964, he graduated with a Master of Science degree and an MBBS from Madras Medical College.[3] He completed post-graduate training in surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.[4]
Career
[edit]Bakthavathsalam returned to India in 1973 after completing his training. In 1974, his father established KG Hospital.[5] The hospital began as a 10-bed facility with one doctor, and has since grown into a 550-bed, multi-specialty postgraduate medical centre.[6]
He established the K.G. Eye Hospital, which has provided 85,000 free cataract surgeries for underprivileged patients, funded by the Lions Club.[7] It has also performed 1,600 free heart surgeries and provided 1,500 free dialysis treatments. Through the Little Hearts organization, 500 heart surgeries have been performed on children, and 35,000 children have been screened for heart diseases. Additionally, over 300,000 adults have been screened for blood pressure and 35,000 accident victims have been treated. KG Hospital conducts rural medical camps, through which over 1.4 million people have been screened free of charge.[8]
KG Hospital provided free treatment to 250 bomb blast victims in Coimbatore in 1998 and assisted victims of the Kargil War, the Gujarat Earthquake, the Kumbakonam school fire tragedy, tsunamis, Cyclone Thane, and the Kerala floods.[9]
Positions held
[edit]Throughout his career, Bakthavathsalam has held various positions:
- Professor of Surgery, Govt. Royapettah Hospital, Madras
- Registrar of Surgery, Coimbatore Medical College, (1969–73)
- Surgical Registrar, Altoona Hospital, Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States (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 at Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore, (since 1985)
- Honorary Professor of Surgery, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Coimbatore (1988)
He has also served as president of organizations including:
- The Uro Lithiasis Project Scheme (ICMR)
- Indian Medical Association (1986–87)
- The Association of Surgeons of India—Coimbatore
- Accident Care Association of Coimbatore
- Coimbatore Hospitals' Association
- Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy of India (1991)
Memberships
[edit]He has been a member of national and regional committees in India:
- Medical Council of India, New Delhi (1972–1990)
- Planning Board, Dr. M.G.R.Medical University, Chennai (1994)
- Planning Board, Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore (1990)
- Syndicate, Bharathiyar 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 holds management positions in various KG Group ventures, including KG Hospital, Kannapiran Mills, Kadri Mills, KG Healthcare, and KG Information Systems Private Limited.[citation needed]
Accolades
[edit]- In 1984, he received the Dr. B. C. Roy Award from Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi[citation needed].
- In 1999, he received the Seva Ratna Award from the Centenarian Trust.
- In 2001, he received the Vaidya Ratna Award from Sri Adichunchanagiri Maha Samsthana Math[citation needed].
- In 2003, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Salem Gastro Centre.
- In 2005, he received the Padma Shri for his work in medicine from then-President of India A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. The same year, he received the Jewel of Coimbatore Award and the PSG Distinguished Alumni Award.
- 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. That same year, he received the Maruthuva Dharma Chemmal Award from the Indian Medical Association, Palani.
- In 2010, he received the Sri Sakthi Amma Oration Award from Narayani Peedam, Vellore, and the Dr. Rajammal P. Devados Oration Award from Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore.[citation needed]
- In 2011, he received the Pro-Life Award from Life for All and Life International USA; the Dr. K.P. Misra Endowment Oration Award from the Sri Jagannath Spiritual Educational Cultural Trust & The Utkal Association of Madras; and an Honorary Fellowship from the Quality Council of India, New Delhi.
- In 2015, he received the Siksha Vibhushan - Educational Excellence, the Highest Award, from the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University - Mount Abu.
- In 2016, he received the Dharma Veera Award from the Medical Fraternity of the Coimbatore Region.
- In 2017, he received the TMPA LIMRA Excellence Award from the Tamil Nadu Medical Practitioners Association, and the Award of Appreciation - 2017 from the 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, the Vocational Excellence Award from the Rotary Club, and was named "Legend of Coimbatore" by Dr. Mohan's Diabetic Specialities Centre.
- In 2019, he received the Great Divine Healer Award from the Coimbatore Multipurpose Social Service Society, the Eminent Educator Award from VGM Foundation in Coimbatore, the Jewel of India Award from Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, and the Thought Leader Award from KG Hospital’s Postgraduates and CRRIs.[citation needed]
- In 2021, he was named Healthcare Icon/Leader National 2021 by the Economic Times.[citation needed]
Further reading
[edit]- 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
References
[edit]- ^ "Indian Confederation for Healthcare Accreditation - View Profile". www.icha.in. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ^ "Padma Awards".
- ^ "Alumni Association Madras Medical College". Madras Medical College Official Website. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Wayback Machine" (PDF). natboard.edu.in. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
- ^ "About KG Hospital - Leading Multispecialty Hospital in Coimbatore". www.kghospital.com. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ "About KG Hospital - Leading Multispecialty Hospital in Coimbatore". www.kghospital.com. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "About KG Hospital - Leading Multispecialty Hospital in Coimbatore". www.kghospital.com. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "Kamma.in". kamma.in. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
- ^ "About KG Hospital - Leading Multispecialty Hospital in Coimbatore". www.kghospital.com. Retrieved 27 May 2025.
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