Putting patients first

| S VENKATESHWARAN |

Dr. Mangalambikai always thought of starting a hospital that would treat patients like family. With her husband, a renowned cardiologist, Dr. Mangalambikai, a senior gynaecologist, became the co-founder of Bharath Hospital in Nanganallur. Together, they built this hospital with a shared vision to serve patients with compassion and care.

Dr. Mangalambikai has been active in many areas of the medical field. She is a member of the Tamil Nadu Medical Council and the Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).

Her educational journey began at St. Lourdes Convent, where she completed her SSLC in 1973. She then did her PUC at Queen Mary’s College. Dr. Mangalambikai recalled that during school, she was not only good in studies but also took part in all games and cultural activities. She completed her MBBS from Stanley Medical College in 1981.

Dr. Mangalambikai comes from a family that has lived in Perambur, Chennai, for over five generations. Her family has a background in Naturopathy & Siddha. From childhood, she wanted to become a doctor, and even today she maintains a garden with many medicinal plants.

When asked about memorable experiences from her career, she shared a few: she once delivered a baby weighing 5.25 kg, helped a patient deliver at the age of 46, and also safely delivered a woman above 40 during the COVID pandemic.

She also spoke fondly of her study days, where she and her friends used to divide medical books, study different authors, and then sit together to discuss and prepare notes. One of her friends knew shorthand and helped convert their discussions into useful study materials. Dr. Mangalambikai said this group learning method helped them understand medicine deeply.

Her career began in 1979 at Gujaratiyon Sahayakari Hospital, where she worked nights while doing house surgeon duty at Stanley in the mornings. She also completed special training in anaesthesia at Stanley. During her house surgeon years, she worked with renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. R. Venkatasamy. She remembered treating many workers from north Madras who came with injuries like cut fingers due to machinery accidents. She proudly shared how they were able to fix such injuries and send the patients back to normal life. She also worked in CGHS and Military Hospital and also worked in private hospital during the period of senior practitioners, Dr. V.T. Balaraman, Dr. Seshaiyah, and Dr. Sathyanathan.

Dr. Mangalambikai is married to Dr. Bharathkumar, now a retired Professor of Cardiology from Government Salem Medical College, who also worked at Stanley, earlier. He has over five decades of experience in cardiology and is known for being compassionate, empathetic and sincere. After their marriage, he was transferred to Salem.

Dr. Mangalambikai shared that her husband was very dedicated — always the first to arrive and the last to leave the hospital where he work in Government service. He made many improvements in Salem Medical College & Stanley Hospital, especially by Organising all cardiac checking on a single day so that patients can have an early diagnosis.

After Dr. Bharathkumar’s retirement, the couple together started Bharath Hospital in Nanganallur, fulfilling Dr. Mangalambikai’s long-time dream. “We treat patients like family and maintain a homely environment — that is our strength,” she said. Both doctors are the co-founders of the hospital and continue to run it with the same dedication they showed throughout their careers.

Dr. Mangalambikai has been practising obstetrics and gynaecology for more than 40 years. She also learned Yoga and applied Yoga therapy to help her patients. She is known for encouraging normal deliveries and is respected for her excellent counselling and the calm, caring atmosphere she creates for expectant mothers.

Dr. Mangalambikai and Dr. Bharathkumar continue to serve patients as a family. Their legacy is continuing through their children. Their elder daughter, Dr. Shivaranjani Arun, is a gynaecologist, obstetrician and infertility specialist. Their son, Dr. Shivraj, is a distinguished consultant robotic oncologist and Urologist. Both their son-in-law and daughter-in-law are also doctors.