Lifeline Hospitals: Giving Back Health to Society Under Dr J S Rajkumar’s Leadership

Our flourishing into a modernistic progressive civilization is all thanks to the advances we achieved in healthcare. The last four years will be remembered as the beginning of a health-conscious homo sapiens age in the future of humanity’s evolutionary development.

It does not mean we aren’t aware that health is essential in our lives. It is the renewed conscience dawning on us in the wake of the global pandemic that we have now reset our priorities right with our health at the top place.

We realized that ignoring our health for the short and long term makes us vulnerable for our lifetime to novel viruses and diseases, thus occurring anytime and anywhere. Keeping yourselves fittest is essential for your survival, and whenever you feel not so healthiest of yourselves or in need of any emergency medical issues or treatment–in the areas of Gynecology, Orthopedics, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Urology and Urogynecology, and Gastroenterology–then it is better to visit Lifeline Hospitals – adding value and delivering excellence in healthcare for last 25 years.

Dr J S Rajkumar, the Chairman, established Lifeline Multispeciality Hospitals in Chennai, India, in 1997. Since its inception, Lifeline Multispeciality Hospitals has not only been providing cutting-edge medical and surgical treatments but has also dedicated its fullest efforts to ensuring the good health of the community. Initially, the hospital started with 25 beds, and Gastroenterology was the only speciality offered. Now the hospital group boasts of a multispecialty tertiary care set-up, which handles several complex cases and is well known in the city and beyond, with multiple branches.

Focus on Modern Care

Lifeline is well-known for its ability to perform innovative minimal-access surgery procedures that are carefully customized and infused with technology. Lifeline focuses on giving the advantage of modern surgical care for their consumer with quick recovery time, allowing them to return to routine life with a short hospital stay.

Over the past 25 years, in the world of Healthcare and Medical Excellence, Lifeline Hospitals has become Chennai’s leading multispeciality Hospital and established a stronghold amongst the competition. “It is thanks to our certified team of doctors, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and Industry-leading expertise in multiple specialities. We are proud to state that we offer high-end Robotic surgeries at the lowest cost in India, which is made possible through our unique collaboration with the CMR Versius Surgical Robot. We go beyond just treating our patients and bringing them the warmth and care of a family to treat them back to the absolute best and nurture them with good health, happiness and rejuvenation. Our expertise in understanding and evaluating our patient’s needs and planning a personalised recovery roadmap for them sets us above all. We also bring forward many special services such as 24Hrs Emergency, Dialysis, Day Care Center, Physiotherapy, Dietetics and more,” informs Dr Rajkumar, one of the pioneers in laparoscopic surgery with experience of more than 30,000 surgeries, with special expertise in many highly complex procedures. A graduate of Madras Medical College with 32 gold medals, he has also received four medical specializations from the Royal College of Surgeons in the United Kingdom.

A Compassionately Caring Doctor

Dr Rajkumar is a leader with unstinted commitment and utmost dedication. Fondly known as Dr JSR, he started his medical practice immediately after completing his academics and was one of the select few to be part of the First Indian Liver Transplant team at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai. In addition to being a leading Laparoscopic and Robotic surgeon in India, he is also a pioneer in stem cell therapy. He successfully carried out stem cell therapy on a person with paraplegia who is now walking – the first success story in India and the second in the world. One of India’s leading bariatric and laparoscopic surgeons, he is also a successful medical entrepreneur constantly working towards enriching and preserving human lives through his many healthcare initiatives.

He is a visiting professor in many colleges, is an International examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons, and has authored several medical books. He was also the Past President of the Association of Surgeons of India (Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry chapters).

Lifeline Hospitals has been a prominent name in the medical industry for the past 25 years. Over the years, Dr JSR and his expertly professional team have established themselves as a leading name for most dedicated expert service with world-class infrastructure and facilities that make their patients live better, healthier, and happier life. Their high-quality medical services can be experienced at an affordable cost, along with holistic and empathetic care that is bound to help their patients experience a pleasant recovery phase while they make their way to good health.

Tech Empowered Health

Being an experienced leader, Dr JSR believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) have the potential to transform the healthcare industry in numerous ways. AI and ML can help healthcare professionals to analyze medical images, such as X-rays and MRIs, and identify abnormalities more accurately and quickly. It can lead to earlier diagnoses and better treatment outcomes.

They can also analyze large volumes of patient data to identify patterns and predict future health outcomes. It can help healthcare providers identify patients at risk of developing certain diseases and take proactive measures to prevent or manage those conditions.

AI and ML can help healthcare professionals to analyze a patient’s genetic makeup and develop personalized treatment plans based on their unique needs. It can lead to more effective and efficient treatments with fewer side effects. AI-powered virtual health assistants can help patients to manage their health, provide medical advice and assistance, and even diagnose certain conditions. It can help patients to access healthcare more easily and reduce the burden on healthcare providers.

Using AI and ML in healthcare can improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase access to healthcare services. Lifeline Hospitals has already embarked on the path of AI, ML and Robot Assistance and started implementing them in certain specialities and healthcare departments to provide its surgeons with more flexibility, increased efficiency and assistance to deliver the ultimate medical excellence to their patients.

Smartest Vigour

The primary interest of the Lifeline Hospitals Group is in healthcare, and it handles the healthcare management program of the various smart cities. The group has also invested considerable time, energy, and resources into smart health.

Apart from having developed and maintained a high end hospital information system software know as Credence, through one of their sister companies known as Sapiens Software Systems, based out of Dubai, there has been an extensive amount of investment and engagement in the development of a path breaking Health App, known as Healia, which is already in the App Store for iOS and android phones.

There is also a parallel engagement in two areas, namely a diagnostic chain known as the Healia Diagnostics Private Limited, which is currently operating at Chennai and set to roll out across the state and across India, as well as a parallel occupational health Centre Group, known as Lifeline Plus.

At the start of the pandemic, a company known as Sapiens Panmed International, dealing with medical equipment and hardware for hospitals and clinics, was created and is supplying hospitals across the Middle East and Africa.

Eliminating Issues

Considering the current industry scenario, the Lifeline team faces several challenges as a hospital, such as rising costs, staffing shortages, increasing regulatory requirements, and rapidly advancing technology. “To overcome these challenges, we are implementing cost-saving measures, investing in staff training and development, embracing new technologies, and focusing on patient-centred care. We believe that by continuously innovating and adapting to the changing industry landscape, we can provide high-quality care to our patients while keeping costs down and remaining competitive,” says Dr JSR.

Gems of Wisdom

In his advice to budding professionals, he says that if you’re aspiring to work in the healthcare sector, here are some key steps you can take to succeed:

Pursue relevant education and training to build the necessary skills, develop a strong work ethic, gain practical experience through internships or volunteering, stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry, and embrace a patient-centred approach while working collaboratively with other healthcare professionals. By following these steps, you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of patients and their families while thriving in a challenging yet rewarding field.

On the Mission of the Healthiest Future

On envisioning scaling Lifeline’s operations and offerings in the future, he divulges that they will do it by leveraging technology and innovation. It includes expanding their telemedicine services to reach patients in remote areas, developing new clinical programs and services that meet the changing needs of their patients, and investing in advanced medical technologies to enhance their diagnostic and treatment capabilities.

Additionally, they plan to expand their physical footprint by opening new facilities in underserved areas and partnering with other healthcare organizations to provide coordinated care to patients across the care continuum. Finally, they will continue to focus on patient-centred care and invest in their staff to ensure they have the talent and expertise they need to provide the highest quality care to their patients. “By embracing these strategies, we believe we can continue to grow and evolve as a leading healthcare provider while staying true to our mission of improving the health and well-being of our communities,” concludes Dr JSR. His passion is to develop a world-class centre of excellence in Advanced Laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic upper GI and Bariatric Surgery and Laparoscopic Oncology, particularly upper GI pancreatic biliary Surgery. His regular work schedule involves six-seven operating lists a week, and the centre turns out over 200 surgeries every month.

~Lifeline Hospitals and Dr J S Rajkumar’s Hall of Fame~

*Awards Won

Lifetime Achievement Award, Loyola Forum for Historical Research, Department of History, Loyola College, Chennai, 2014.
Best Doctor Award, Dr M. G. R. Medical University, July 2012.
“Significant Achievement” Award, Rotary International, District 2980, Awarded for outstanding performance to the welfare of humanity, January 2008.
Lifetime Achievement Award, Lions Club District 324-A6, December 2007.
Rtn. Dr N C Raghavachari Award, Awarded in recognition of exemplary service to the community for the field of health, June 2006.
Dr V Chandrasekhar Gold Medal Endowment, IMA, Trichy, January 2006.
Vaidya Ratna Award Ved Vyas Sabha, Awarded by President of India Dr Abdul J Kalam, April 2004.
Melville Jones Award, Lions Club, Awarded for distinguished Social Medical Service.

*Books Authored

In 2016, Dr JRS wrote a textbook, “Step by Step Manual of Laparoscopic Surgery- Laparoscopic Hernia Surgery”.
Dr JRS has written a book of poems called “Scalpel Scribbles”, released on 23rd June 2015.
Dr JRS has co-authored a CD on “Clinical Signs in Surgery” with Prof. C.M.K. Reddy, released by His Excellency Dr K. Rosaiah, Governor of Tamil Nadu, in April 2012.
Dr JRS has also co-authored a book on “Short Cases in Surgery including Orthopaedics” with Prof C.M.K Reddy, released by the Hon’ble Dr V.S. Vijay, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Tamil Nadu on 21st November 2012.
Published 34 research papersin numerous prestigious international journals.

*Gamut of Lifeline Hospitals Surgeries

~Among the First in the World:

Google Glass Assisted Surgery;
Diaphragmatic Plication in a Pregnant Woman;
Lap Repair of Six Hernias in a patient in a Single Sitting;
Lap Neurolysis of Meralgia Paraesthetica; Thoraco-Lap Esophagectomy in a HIV +ve person;
Usage of Amylopectin in a Major Surgery to stop bleeding; pH based Diet program for Acid Reflux (GERD & LPR);
Scarless Appendectomy in Situs Inversus; and
Ovarian Torsion with Contralateral Ectopic Pregnancy.

~Among the First in India:

Gastric Bypass Surgery, from 2002;
Scarless Cholecystectomy; STARR Procedure for Obstructive Defecation Syndrome (ODS);
Endoscopic Thyroidectomy for Scarless removal of faulty thyroid; Lap tubal recanalization for reversal of sterilization;
Lap Burch Colposuspension for Urinary Stress Incontinence; Morcellation and Natural Orifice Extraction of Fibroids;
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for the herniated spinal disc; and
3D Laparoscope for better detecting and removing pathology in high-precision surgeries (e.g. Cancer).

~Volume Leaders: