The Alladin of Allahabad

In 1988, he started a 20-bed nursing home in Allahabad. He expanded the hospital to become 500 beds and now is planning to open a medical college and a university

Dr AK Bansal (52) Founder and Director, Jeevan Jyoti Hospital, Allahabad

He was born in 1956 in Ludhiana, Punjab. He did his MBBS and MS, General Surgery from Motilal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad.

Why an entrepreneur?

From the time he was studying medicine, he knew that he did not want to tread the conventional path by becoming just a surgeon. "The entrepreneurial drive came from this dream to go beyond the most obvious. As a doctor, the entrepreneur in me wished to serve humanity without the concern for loss. My parents were in Delhi initially and they wanted me to go abroad to pursue my career in 1980, like most parents do," he recollects. But he wanted to return to his roots in Allahabad. He had a measly sum of Rs 10,000 with him at that time.

Before being an entrepreneur

After completing MS, he went to Delhi to establish himself as a surgeon. During that time, his father was also based there in a Government job. "I could not feel compatible in the highly professional atmosphere of Delhi. I also found everything was money-oriented there," he opines.

"Since I did not have sufficient funds to start my own set up in Delhi, I decided to go back to Allahabad," says he. He thus started his career as an Assistant Surgeon at Department of Surgery of MLN Medical College and Hospital Allahabad in 1981. He simultaneously started a small OPD clinic in the suburbs of Allahabad. He started independently as a surgeon in 1983. Then joined a small nursing home in partnership with a colleague physician. It was here that he started looking for a place and funds to start his own setup.

The first move

In 1988, he and his wife Dr Vandana started a 20-bed nursing home. Initially, the funding was self generated. "I used to invest my earnings and then mortgage my investments with banks to get more funds for reinvestment. I had financial support from different financial institutions and bank later when things began to roll," says he.

Over the years

From 20-bed nursing home in 1988 to a 500-bed multispeciality hospital in 2008 with an advanced diagnostic centre, IVF centre and a research centre along with paramedical and nursing school with different charitable ventures, training centre for various Government projects, the hospital has come a long way.

"Till 2004 I was busy establishing my hospital. The major changes that came along were after 2004 when I took a big leap to open different branches and more challenging projects," says he.

Fears and apprehensions

He was always confident about his clinical skills. "There were no fears or apprehensions when I started out. I always knew that hard work will yield returns and never looked back," says he.

Overcoming roadblocks

He admits that he has faced many hurdles in the journey. "Hundreds of complaints, enquires and raids were meted out to me from time to time. As a young surgeon, it was very tough to survive in a city initially, but I ensured that they did not affect me. Of course, few small hurdles were solved with time and I have never looked back. I always kept my cool and maintained relationships. When I know that I am not wrong, I simply stick to my faith and the support from my loved ones," says he.

Mistakes made and lessons learnt

"In the medical profession, one’s input should be 100 per cent. It involves taking care of people and very often it goes beyond your own time and space. Initially, I had disorganised and unclear partnership, but this was luckily managed at an early stage— giving me a profitable lesson as compared to loss incurred. Nevertheless, it is my habit to learn from my mistakes and also form the mistakes of others," says he.

Any formal degree in management?

No, but he feels it is important to have one. "There could be certain things management teaches, which I learnt only through experience, by reading books, newspapers and articles related to corporate world. Now, I have a team of management personnel working with me in the office of corporate affairs, HR and marketing," he says.

Tips for entrepreneurship

"Dedication, competence, viable project planning and having adequate capital are a must. Think before you leap, but remain committed with clear conviction till the end," says he.

An entrepreneur that he admires in healthcare

"I admire Dr William Worrall Mayo who started Mayo's clinic at United States of America along with his two sons in 19th century. Today his concept is the biggest healthcare provider of the world. His dedication and attitude inspire me most," says he.

Way Ahead

"A medical university, a chain of hospitals and ART centres across the country," says he. He has recently received an approval of opening a university in Himachal Pradesh which is in the first phase. The HP Government has also approved their plan to set up a medical college. "More details regarding the land and courses would soon be finalised,” says he. He also plans to open another medical college in Allahabad, besides a hospital exclusively for women and children.