| S VENKATESHWARAN |
The hospital founded by Dr. Thiagarajan and Dr. Vasundra Thiagarajan, BM Hospital, has not made a name for itself as the first private sector hospital in Nanganallur but also for the medical camps and free treatment and tests it offers to senior citizens.
Dr. Thiagarajan and Dr. Vasundra Thiagarajan have served Nanganallur with dedication for over four decades and attribute their success to hard work, discipline and unwavering dedication to their profession.
Dr. Thiagarajan, MBBS, D.A., FCGP, graduated in 1975 from Stanley Medical College and completed his postgraduation in anaesthesiology in 1977. Since 1978, he has worked as a family physician and anaesthetist.
Dr. Vasundra Thiagarajan, MD, D.G.O., FRM, completed her MBBS and DGO from Government Kilpauk Medical College and her MD from Stanley Medical College. She also received a fellowship in reproductive medicine from the Indian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. She is a life member of several prestigious organisations, including the IMA, ESHRE, ISAR, and FOGSI, among others.
The couple married in 1976 and began their careers as medical officers at Margaret Sidney Hospital in Nanganallur. Their initial salary was Rs. 1,200 each, and they lived in a rented one-bedroom flat in Thillaiganga Nagar, commuting to work on a bicycle. Dr. Thiagarajan fondly recalled these modest beginnings, joking about how his wife, light in weight, made the bicycle rides easy.
In 1978, their son was born at Margaret Sidney Hospital. Shortly after, they started a private general practice in Thillaiganga Nagar, charging Rs. 5 for consultations. While managing their practice, Dr. Vasundra worked with Chennai Corporation, and Dr. Thiagarajan took up part-time work at a health centre in Zamin Pallavaram.
The couple founded BM Hospital in 1982, naming it after their faith in Lord Muruga (Bala Murugan). Initially, they operated from a modest setup with a consultation room separated by cloth partitions and a single labour room with an operation theatre. Their living quarters were on the first floor.
Over the years, they expanded and modernised the hospital. By 1990, they had established a laparoscopic centre, after undergoing specialised training in Germany. In 2004, they launched the New Life Fertility and IVF Center, inaugurated by Tamil scholar, Dr. Avvai Natarajan. Their first IVF success story, a baby named Preethi, was named by actor Prashanth and is now 20 years old.
From their first bicycle in 1976 to owning a high-end car in 2008, the couple’s journey is a testament to their hard work. BM Hospital has since grown into a multi-specialty facility with numerous milestones, including the establishment of a cosmetology and dental wing in 2012 and receiving NABH accreditation in 2015.
The hospital has conducted over 1,000 medical camps and continues to offer free treatment and tests for senior citizens in the morning on particular days. Not satisfied with this, Dr. Thiagarajan urges more residents to utilise these services.
Dr. Thiagarajan fondly remembered treating Mr. S.V. Ramani, the founder of Ranjani Hall, and describes him as a multi-talented and kind-hearted individual in Nanganallur. He also reflected on the challenges of providing healthcare in the early days, recalling how they managed emergencies despite limited infrastructure.
The couple’s unique combination of specialties — a gynaecologist and an anaesthetist — allowed them to handle high-risk pregnancies without referrals. Their home even had a direct connection to the hospital’s emergency room, ensuring they were always ready at hand to help.
Dr. Thiagarajan and Dr. Vasundra’s advice to young people is clear: “Success comes through hard work and consistent practice, without any deviation.”
Today, BM Hospital stands as a symbol of their commitment to healthcare and the community, inspiring future generations to follow their path of perseverance and service.
