Transforming God’s Own Country

In 1987, he started 56-bed Baby Memorial Hospital from a rented building. Today, it is the largest super specialty hospital in North Kerala with 480 beds

Dr KG Alexander (55) Chairman, Baby Memorial Hospital, Calicut

Born in 1953 at Chengannur, Alleppy district of Kerala, he did his MBBS in 1982 from Sri Krishna Medical College, Bihar University, and MD in General Medicine from Davangere Medical College, Mysore University.

Why an entrepreneur?

"Being a medical professional at heart, I always had a desire to provide quality healthcare to the common man at affordable cost. It was this deep desire that goaded me to start Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH) in memory of my father Late KC Varghese, who was fondly called 'baby' among family and friends," says Dr Alexander.

Before being an entrepreneur

Before he embarked on the idea of a hospital, he was working at the Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi in the Department of Cardiology from 1985 to 1986 and as a physician at Simi Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram from 1986 to 1987.

The first move

It was in 1987 that he started BMH with 56 beds in a rented hotel building, which was converted into a hospital. "The department of gynaecology, paediatrics, general medicine and general surgery were available there along with laboratory facilities, X-Ray, ECG, ICCU, OT etc," says Dr Alexander.

"The very next year, we purchased an acre of land in Kozhikkode, which housed a hospital too. The hospital had been shutdown due to the sudden demise of its founder. Further, expansion of the said building took place next year. Later, the adjacent land was purchased where the present eleven-storied building was constructed," says he.

Funds came in from the family concern, Baby Marine Exports— a leading sea food exporter in the country and from financial institutions.

Over the years

From 56 beds, today the hospital has grown to become the largest super specialty hospital in North Kerala with 480 beds. It has all the medical and surgical specialties and super-specialties, headed by highly qualified and experienced doctors, most of whom are retired professors and heads of departments of the medical colleges of Kerala. A team of 140 doctors and 750 medical, nursing, para medical and administrative staff work in total cohesion to cater for every need of the patients.

"We have approximately 1,000 to 1,200 out-patients everyday and our room occupancy rate is close to 100 per cent round the year. Our operation theatre complex has 14 fully equipped theatres built to world class standards with stainless steel wall cladding in the interiors, anti static flooring and laminar air flow air conditioning system with micro filters ensuring zero per cent infection, which is the only one of its kind in this region," says he.

The annual turnover of the hospital is over Rs 50 crore. "This remarkable growth has been achieved in such a short span of time mainly due to the highly professional treatment and excellent nursing care ensured by the management. The hospital has an enviable reputation for its ethical and honest medical practice which also attracts the patients," says Dr Alexander.

BMH has been awarded with both the ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:1996 Certificates. BMH is approved by the National Board of Examination for the enrollment of candidates for the DNB training programme for doctors in urology, anesthesiology, orthopaedics, general medicine, paediatrics and obstetrics and gynaecology. It has also started a college of Nursing, recognised by the Kerala Nursing Council and Indian Nursing Council. In 2008, the hospital was accredited by the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH).

Awards

He has been conferred with the award for the 'Highest Tax Payer 1997-1998, Kollam circle.'

Fears and apprehensions

He was apprehensive of the future prospects of being a new venture, in a new place where he was not known as a physician and also the availability of doctors' fraternity for such a large hospital.

Overcoming roadblocks

"It is but natural to be confronted with roadblocks and be put to testing times while venturing on an enterprise of this magnitude and I was no exception. But my utmost faith in the Almighty and the strength and fortitude from my family has helped me stand-up to such trials and tribulations," says he.

Mistakes made and lessons learnt

“No major mistakes,” he says.

Any degree in management?

"I do not have any degree in management studies but it might help if one is qualified in this field of hospital management, too," says he.

Road ahead

"In addition to existing 480 beds, we are on the verge of completing a 320-bedded annexe to house departments of cardiothoracic surgery, neuro sciences and oncology. We have acquired our adjacent land for the purpose. Besides, it will relieve the rush at our multi-storeyed complex. This would be commissioned by August 2009," says Dr Alexander. BMH is pumping in Rs 100 crore for this project. "We are also planning some projects outside Kerala, which is too early to divulge," says he.

An entrepreneur that he admires in healthcare

"Late Dr TMA Pai of Manipal for ushering in an era of hospitals in the private sector and allied institutions, especially in a place like Manipal which was not even a town then," says he.