Dr. Sivakumaran Janakiraman: Bridging Farming Values with Healthcare Leadership to Build Hospitals of Growth and Service

Drawing from his farming roots, he believes in sowing effort, nurturing talent, and reaping the harvest of progress!

Every seed planted in the soil carries the hope of growth. It demands patience, care, and resilience before it bears fruit. For Dr. Sivakumaran Janakiraman, who grew up in an agricultural family in a South Indian village, these lessons from the fields became the foundation of his life. They formed his journey, one that eventually moved from farmlands to the corridors of healthcare.

With a PhD in Hospital Management, he first chose to work in the textile manufacturing industry, spending nearly a decade there. It provided stability, yet his heart was searching for something different. That search led him, almost by accident, into the world of healthcare. What began as an alternate job soon unfolded into a purposeful path.

The turning point was his association with Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH). Meeting Chairman Dr. Nalla Palaniswamy and Executive Director Dr. Arun Palaniswamy left him deeply inspired. Their leadership style and the freedom to function motivated him to give his best. He often recalls how Dr. Nalla’s tireless work and risk-taking nature amazed him.

What started as a modest 150-bed hospital in 1991 has today grown into a group with 2,250 beds. Dr. Sivakumaran believes this remarkable growth stems from the Chairman’s continuous investment in technology, talent, and vision. For him, working in such an environment has been nothing short of inspiring.

From nurturing crops in the fields to supporting a hospital that nurtures lives, Dr. Sivakumaran’s story is about resilience, opportunities, and the power of inspired leadership. His path reminds us that even unexpected turns can lead to meaningful destinations.

Let us learn more about his journey:

A Leadership Rooted in Ethics and Human Connection

There is no single philosophy that can be directly applied to shape leadership in this sector. Instead, a blend of philosophies comes together, each complementing the other, to define an effective approach. At the core of this leadership style lies ethical character, moral duty, the value of human connection, and the balanced treatment of team members.

This approach draws strength from Democratic, Inspirational, and Collaborative leadership. It does not rely on rigid structures but allows strategies to be customized based on the situation. The guiding belief is that leadership must evolve with context while staying anchored in principles that inspire trust and respect.

True Measure of Healthcare Management

Healthcare management stands apart as a mission that safeguards lives. Unlike other industries, traditional calculations of return on investment do not always hold true here. Technology can change before capital investments reach their break-even point, demanding further investment in the next generation of equipment. At the same time, patients cannot be charged heavily to recover these costs quickly, as affordability remains a critical concern.

Every activity in healthcare is tied directly to patient improvement, often to the preservation of life itself. The absence of a component in manufacturing may simply halt production, but in healthcare the same situation places a patient’s life at risk. This is why precision in planning and careful coordination become indispensable.

Resources must be ready at all times, even around the clock if necessary. Availability has to be ensured each time without exception, because even a small delay can cause serious harm to the patient in need.

Turning Challenges into Growth and Purpose

Viewing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth creates resilience and adaptability in the face of changing circumstances. Dr. Sivakumaran believes that seeking feedback from patients, making corrections where needed, and celebrating even the smallest success keep the team in positive momentum.

He emphasizes the importance of building strong connections, practicing self-care, nurturing a growth mindset, and applying mindfulness and time management to overcome difficult situations. According to him, constant motivation is essential to prepare the team to face any crisis with strength.

Teamwork and the appreciation received from patients inspire his team to stay committed and proud of their sacred responsibility. Each piece of positive feedback fuels their determination to maintain high standards and deliver quality service with consistency.

Balancing Fairness in Healthcare with Limited Resources

When resources such as beds, nursing staff, equipment, and housekeepers are limited, ensuring fair and effective distribution becomes a challenge. From an ethical standpoint, every patient deserves equal treatment.

However, frequent attrition among nurses and high absenteeism of housekeepers often place administrators in difficult situations. In such circumstances, patients are prioritized based on medical conditions, vulnerability, and potential for recovery. Those who fall outside these urgent categories experience delays in receiving services.

Ensuring Authenticity and Fair Pricing in Healthcare Supplies

The approach to procurement is simple yet uncompromising. Only the top three brands are chosen, preferably sourced directly from manufacturers. In situations where direct supply policies are restricted, price and terms are negotiated with the manufacturers themselves. This ensures that no duplicate products enter the system and that pricing remains at the most reasonable level.

When manufacturers are directly involved, the responsibility of timely and uninterrupted supply rests with them. This process creates a chain of accountability and reliability. The most important outcome of this effort is that the cost advantage gained is transferred to patients. As a result, the overall expense of treatment becomes more affordable while maintaining the highest standards of quality.

Driving Innovation in Healthcare through Technology and Sustainability

Many IT-based process improvements have been successfully introduced under his leadership. When the benefits are clearly explained to the team and they are included in the decision-making, the team feels encouraged and contributes with enthusiasm to make every project a success. Examples of these process improvements include the Porter system, digital medical records with the use of AI, medical IoT devices to monitor bedside vitals, E-ICU, and building management systems.

His hospital also became the first in the region to install a solar power project with a capacity of 10 MW, which currently meets 60 percent of its electricity requirements. For the remaining needs, wind power is purchased. This initiative has brought a significant reduction in operational costs while also setting an example in sustainable healthcare practices.

Building Together Through Collaborative Leadership

The team is strong, dedicated, and guided by a participative style of management. Every assignment is approached with collective involvement, where all stakeholders play an active role from the very beginning. During the execution of a project, each voice is valued, and every requirement is taken into account.

For instance, when new infrastructure is created, doctors share their specific needs. Based on these inputs, the project team prepares civil drawings, which are then reviewed by service providers such as air-conditioning experts, electrical engineers, fire safety professionals, medical gas pipeline specialists, and plumbing teams. A joint meeting is held where every group clearly understands its scope of work to ensure precise execution.

From the concept stage to the final commissioning, consistent follow-up meetings are organized. This approach not only accelerates progress but also ensures that every detail is aligned with the larger vision of the project. Through this structured collaboration, the process remains efficient, transparent, and effective.

Dedicated Service in the Face of Crisis

When Covid-19 emerged, the institution made arrangements that balanced staff safety with financial prudence. Employees were placed on a 15-day rotational schedule. While administrative staff were given 15 days of layoff, nurses and technical staff worked extended hours to manage the growing challenges.

Despite the severity of the pandemic, these frontline teams continued to attend to patients with full protection and strict adherence to protocol. Their efforts led to the recovery of many patients and saved countless lives. The government acknowledged their service for the extensive care provided to Covid patients.

The outcome proved that more than the nature of the decision, it was the broader perspective that brought meaningful results.

Understanding Patient Expectations in Hospitals

The research focused on service quality in hospitals and covered 30 institutions across 17 states. These hospitals included corporate, government, and trust-run facilities. The study revealed striking differences in patient expectations. In corporate hospitals, expectations were extremely high, while in trust-run hospitals they were lower, and in government hospitals they were the least.

Patients in public hospitals were prepared to compromise on deficiencies and wait indefinitely for services. In trust-run hospitals, the level of tolerance was slightly better. In corporate hospitals, however, patients refused to wait, their demands were higher, and they were even prepared to seek legal remedies if services fell short.

The findings shaped a deeper understanding of patient expectations, which led to strategies rooted in a patient-centred approach. Every individual is treated with utmost care and empathy.

In case of any shortfall, patients are encouraged to approach the senior management team directly. Each complaint is regarded as a compliment, offering the institution an opportunity for improvement and growth. The staff is trained to embrace feedback with openness and to transform it into a path for betterment.

Success Through Consistency and Continuous Learning

Success, according to Dr. Sivakumaran, is a sustained journey rather than a short-term celebration. Each day brings fresh lessons, and every patient is welcomed as a unique guest. The challenges differ daily, and the process of resolving them requires innovative and tailored approaches.

With the arrival of technology, automation, and artificial intelligence, the nature of these challenges has become entirely diverse. Safeguarding data against hackers and staying updated in an ever-changing environment has become an equally engaging responsibility.
For him, the essence of success lies in continuous improvement, carried out step by step, day by day, together with his team. This shared commitment forms the true mantra for lasting achievement.

Commitment to Equal Care Across All Centres

The guiding principles remain the same across metropolitan and peripheral centres. Ethical practice, transparency, and patient-focused systems are upheld without compromise. Patients’ medical records are linked across all centres, allowing them to seek consultation anywhere with complete continuity of care. This ensures that the level of service remains consistent across locations.

Charges may differ depending on the population of the centre, affordability of the community, and prevailing market rates. However, quality of service remains uniform in every centre.

Community welfare also receives equal attention. Numerous camps and free services are organised in different locations based on local needs. Support has extended to schools through the construction of classrooms, blocks, and toilets, along with financial recognition for top-performing students.

Temples have been renovated, and nearby villages have benefited from a mobile mammogram van that screened nearly 3,000 women. Several under-developed areas have also been adopted, reflecting a broader vision that goes beyond healthcare to touch lives in many meaningful ways.

Success Rooted in Teamwork and Leadership

There is no shortcut to success. The only path forward is consistent hard work, treating every individual with equality, and approaching situations with empathy. Triumph can never be claimed as the effort of one person alone.

Every achievement is the outcome of a team, and the strength of an organisation lies in the people it has and the style of leadership it follows. The true measure of success is shaped by how leadership guides and nurtures the business.