G. Bakthavathsalam

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]

Govindaswamy Bakthavathsalam, also known as Dr. G. Bakthavathsalam, was born on 5 April 1942, in the village of Annur, Coimbatore district. In 1964, he graduated with a Master of Science and an MBBS degree from Madras Medical College.^[3] He completed post-graduate training in surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.^[4]

Bakthavathsalam returned to India in 1973 after completing his training.

He established the K.G. Eye Hospital, which has provided 85,000 free cataract surgeries for underprivileged patients, funded by the Lions Club.^[5] It has also performed 1,600 free heart surgeries and 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.^[6]

In 1998, KG Hospital provided free treatment to 250 bomb blast victims in Coimbatore, alongside assisting victims of the Kargil War, the Gujarat Earthquake, the Kumbakonam school fire tragedy, tsunamis, Cyclone Thane, and the Kerala floods.^[7]

Throughout his career, has held various positions:

• Professor of Surgery, Government Royapettah Hospital, Madras
• Registrar of Surgery, Coimbatore Medical College, (1969–73)
• Surgical Registrar, Altoona Regional Hospital, Altoona, Pennsylvania, United States (1973)
• Fellow in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Tokyo University, Japan (1984)
• Consultant Surgeon, G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, Coimbatore (1978)
• Recognized Guide for Ph.D. research students at the Bharathiar 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 Urolithiasis 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)

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, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (1990)
• Syndicate, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (1983–86)
• Senate, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (1990–93)
• Board of Governors, Pondicherry University School of Management (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.

• In 1984, he received the Dr. B. C. Roy Award from Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
• In 1999, he received the Seva Ratna Award from the Centenarian Trust.
• In 2001, he received the Vaidya Ratna Award from the Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math..
• 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, Coimbatore.
• On 10 November 2009, he received the D.Sc. honoris causa from the Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai, 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. Devadas Oration Award from the Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore.
• 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 Government of Tamil Nadu for his outstanding performance in organ transplantation related activities. He also received the Award for Excellence in 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 Diabetes 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 CRRI-s.
• In 2021, he was named Healthcare Icon/Leader National 2021 by The Economic Times.

• 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

• Coimbatore's healing touch The Hindu - 16 March 2006
• ADDRESS LIST OF PADMA AWARDEES-2005 PADMA VIBHUSHAN (9) 1. Dr. Bal - Indian Government
• KG Hospital