Chairman Profile

Prof. Dr. V.G. Mohan Prasad
M.D., D.M.(Gastro), FRCP(E), FCCP, FSGEI, FICP, FASGE
Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist & Therapeutic Endoscopist
Founder & Chairman, VGM Gastro Centre, Coimbatore

Highlights

Lineage

Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad was born of a philanthropic family, from the town of Udumalpet in Tamil Nadu. His grandfather Mr.Balaswamy Chettiar was a fellow of Arts, from Hindu College, Tirunelveli in 1880. Mr.Balasamy Chettiar started the first library in the township and was the first vice chairman of the Udumalpet Municipality in 1905. Mr.Balaswamy Chettiar owned agricultural lands to the extent of 1200 acres, in and around Udumalpet at that time and was one of the most respected son of the soil. His maternal grandfather Mr.Radhakrishnan was an engineer, who graduated from Dublin, Ireland. He was popular as Dublin Radhakrishnan. He was a Professor of Civil Engineering, Guindy Engineering College and was in government service until his retirement. Mr.Radhakrishan's father was a renowned freedom fighter, Bar-at-law Adhinarayan Chettiar, who took his wife and son Radhakrishnan in 1910 by ship to England during World War I. Bar-at-law Adhinarayana Chettiar was with his wife for 2 years in Dublin. When he came back to India in 1912, he started practising as an attorney at High Court Chennai. Bar-at-law Adhinarayana Chettiar was classmate of the renowned mathematic genius Ramanujan. In fact Ramanujan was treated in his last few months at Bar-at- law Adhinarayana Chettiar's house in Chennai. There are 2 rare photographs of Ramanujan taken in his lifetime which were taken in Adhinarayana Chettiar's house in Chennai. When Mahatma Gandhi started the freedom movement in India, Bar-at-law Adhinarayana Chettiar joined the freedom struggle along with Mahatma Gandhi in 1919.

He was a close associate of the former Governer General of India Rajagopalachari, fondly called Rajaji, whose Jail Diary contains a lot of letters written by him to Adhinarayana Chettiar. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Rajaji's Pre-Independence Ministry. Unfortunately, he never lived to see the freedom of this country.

Early Life

Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad was born in Coimbatore in 1958 and was brought up at Udumalpet. Until 3rd standard he never learnt English, since the school was a Municipal Elementary School in Udumalpet. He completed his SSLC in 1970 and then joined preuniversity course in St. Joseph's College, Trichy following the footsteps of his father, brother, brother in law and uncle. He was meritoriously selected into the MBBS course in 1975 and was admitted in Stanley Medical College, Chennai. He got transferred to Coimbatore Medical College to stay closer with his family. Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad has an elder brother and sister, both residing in United States. Elder brother is a Haematologist and Oncologist, and his Sister worked for the Federal Government of United States, Directorate of Employment. Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad had the unique distinction of having a natural father, V.Soundararaja Krishnamurthi and a foster father , V.R.B.Gopalrathnam Gupta.His foster father being his father's elder brother. Natural father was a Chemistry Graduate and was a Municipal Vice-Chairman in 1960's. His foster father was a Municipal Chairman and one of the most popular persons in the town, where he stood without a party label and won elections in 1950. He was a great agriculturalist, businessman, philanthropist and was the most respected for his honesty and integrity.

Career as a Medical Student

Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad passed his MBBS in 1981 and then got selected into MD General Medicine course in 1982, in Coimbatore medical college. He excelled as the best outgoing student of Bharathiyar University. He joined DM Gastroenterology course in Madras medical college where he was trained by the legendary Prof. Dr.MadanaGopalan, who was the Father of Gastroenterology of South India. Prof. Dr.Madanagopalan was trained by Sir Francis Xavier Jones and Prof. Dame Sheila Sherlock in United Kingdom in the 1970's. Prof. Dr.Madanagopalan started Department in Gastroenterology in Madras Medical College, Government General Hospital, Chennai. Prof. Dr.Madanagopalan was teacher par excellence and a great human being. He personally trained Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad and helped him evolve into a successful Gastroenterologist. Dr.Madanagopalan always used to say “to meet is to learn”, which Dr.Mohan Prasad firmly believes. He also used to say “don't look at the patient through the hole, look at him as a whole” way back in the 1980's which Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad practices till date.

VGM Hospital - Institute of Gastroenterology

Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad started a center of his own to excel in the field of Medical Gastroenterology namely the VGM hospital in 2009, September. The hospital is certified by National Accreditation Board of Hospitals to ensure quality, as quality was always his faith and the Taraka Mantra. VGM Hospital is now completing 4 years. VGM Hospital is the first single super specialty gastroenterology hospital in India to be accredited by NABH. The Mission and Vision of the VGM hospital is “To give Quality health care at affordable cost, to excel in the field of medical and surgical gastroenterology and be one among the best in the world”.

Family

Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad’s wife Mrs.Radha Prasad was the Dist. Chairman Innerwheel Dist. 320, the national treasurer, associations of Innerwheel clubs of India, and former municipal councillor. They are blessed with 2 daughters, Dr.Madhura Prasad MD,MRCP, FTE., and Dr. Mithra Prasad MBBS (MD).

Hobbies

Dr. Mohan Prasad has a lot of hobbies, one of them is reading, especially philosophy and humor. He has given a lot of lectures on Humor and Philosophy. His thoughts and words draw inspiration from ancient Tamil, Sanskrit, Islamic and Zen Teaching intertwined with Principles of Legendary personalities like Swami Vivekanandha, Gandhiji and so on. He is a nature lover and has educated people on environmental Hazards to save planet Earth. He has delivered lectures on leadership skills and even on management skills in management schools apart from other colleges and schools.

Dr.V.G.M is also a poet. His two poems on the former president A.P.J.Abdul Kalam were deeply appreciated by Kalam himself. They have been displayed in Abdul Kalam Museum in New Delhi. Dr.Mohan Prasad enjoys listening to music, Carnatic as well as movie songs. He just enjoys singing also. He has sung on many platforms, with orchestras, along with M.S.Viswanathan and S.P.Balasubrahmanyam, on stage with thousands witnessing the program. He also enjoys watching Bharathanatyam classical dance. His enthusiasm has trained both his daughters into becoming Carnatic Vocalists as well as Bharathanatyam dancers. Both daughters performed many programmes in India and abroad. Dr.V.G.Mohan Prasad was a commentator for all these dance performances and highlighted the composer, importance of the dance and what the verse meant, so people could involve themselves with the dance and enjoy the choreography. Service as a Rotarian Dr.V.G.M is also a Rotary leader and he joined Rotary in 1987 and served in the district post for almost 25years as a silver jubilee Rotarian. He is also a Paul Harris fellow and a benefactor to the rotary foundation. Three years ago, he became a Major Donor to the Rotary Foundation by contributing ten thousand US dollars for the Polio Plus programme.

Outbreak of Cholera

In 1994, an outbreak of cholera occurred in a village near Udumalpet affecting one thousand people in a span of two days. Medical facilities in Udumalpet did not suffice and people were becoming seriously ill. Dr.Mohan Prasad raised one lakh rupees in one hour’s time for drugs, I V sets, mackintoshes, saline which reached the patients two hours prior to the target time and not one life was lost. This is a success story of how medical profession in collaboration with organisations like Rotary can work wonders in dire emergencies.

Success Story of Hepatitis B Vaccination

In 1998, when he was the Deputy governor for Rotary Dist. 3200, he wanted to launch a vaccination project for children of 12 revenue districts, 3 from Tamil Nadu and 9 from Kerala. At that time the cost of Hepatitis B vaccine was Rs 750 an adult dose and Rs 350 for a pediatric dose. He wanted to vaccinate 100,000 children, hence 300,000 doses of vaccines required for the project. But the vaccine cost was unaffordable for the masses. Dr.V.G.M spoke personally to Padma Bushan Dr.Varaprasad Reddy, Chairman of Shanta Biotechnique and he was kind enough to reduce the cost of vaccine to Rs 30 per dose, just over a phone call. This project was successfully completed with 300,000 doses administered within a duration of 10 months. This paved the way for reduction of Hepatitis B vaccine cost in the country, all pharma companies forced to reduce the sale price of HB Vaccine.

Organised a Rally and Seminar on Liver Care at Tirupur involving more than 500 Rotarians and students

President of School with 3500 Children

Dr.V.G.M is the President of Sri Kannika Parameswari Group of Institutions at Udumalpet which was started 104 years back by his grandfather. He keeps interacting with these students and teachers, keep inspiring them to evolve themselves into better citizens.

Career as a Banker

Dr.V.G.M has been a Banker and served on the Board of Directors of The Karur Vysya Bank for 8 years from 2003 - 11 and since 2014.

Orphan Girl Child Project

Dr.V.G.M along with Sri. Sampath Kumar started the “Save Our Daughters” project which is an adoption programme for orphaned girls. Each person adopts one orphaned girl whom he supports until her collegiate education and helps in placing her in an appropriate job and continues to financially support her till she is able to stand on her own. This project was blessed by Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam who launched this project as “Save Our Daughters-India” and contributed from his royalty of Wings of Fire, a sum of one lakh rupees.

Rural Empowerment

Now a rural empowerment project for the revenue districts of Coimbatore and Tirupur is on his agenda. The goal of this project is to create awareness amongst the public on health issues and also take care of the day to day government requirements for health care. He is taking steps to fulfill his ambition of educating the masses on issues of health care and on dealing with health problems.

Free Hepatitis B Vaccination

Free Hepatitis B Vaccination was done for 120 slum children in Coimbatore. More than 100 slum children were given free summer coaching in music, dance, yoga, computer. health awaress. They were take on an Industrial visit to the Telephone Cable making industry and they were taken to Karur Vysya Bank to learn about banking.

War against Alcohol and Drugs

This year Dr.VG Mohan Prasad organized a similar programme at Coimbatore in Codissia Hall involving 13,522 childrens from college and schools and 1500 adults. The number of participants in this has surpassed the previous year world record and is awaiting an accredition from the Guinness Book of world records. The aim of the programme was to create awareness among children about Hepatitis B and the danger that drugs and alcohol could bring to them. The children pledged to “see, hear and speak no evil” and took an oath to “say no to alcohol and drugs”.

Training Doctors in Endoscopy

Dr Mohan Prasad also has a passion for teaching. He has held 19 courses of “hands–on” therapeutic endoscopy training benefitting around 500 Gastroenterologists and surgeons in India. In these courses, the EASIE animal model was used to give them a hands-on training of the various endoscopy manouvres. He also conducts training programmes in his hospital and has had many Indian and foreign trainees come over to him to perfect their therapeutic skills.

Few in the nation in the career of Dr.V.G. Mohan Prasad

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Website on Gastroenterology - www.endotherapy.org

Created a website on endoscopy with atlas of 30 images of diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Information on the 5 jaundice viruses has been provided. Fun page with humour in gastroenterology helps the viewer to have a few lighter moments. Functional from the 1st of January 1998, this website is the first of its kind in the field of Gastroenterology in that is aimed at educating the public. The new website www.vgmhospital.com has multiple videos on Therapeutic Endoscopy and booklet on Liver care.

CD ROM on the therapeutic endoscopy

The first its kind in the world, the CD ROM on Therapeutic Endoscopy has been created to teach the 4000 and odd endoscopists in the country to learn therapeutic procedures. Different from few CDs available abroad, this CD ROM has the steps of the procedures in details, so that the endoscopist can read the text and see the video clipping, before trying on the patients. This CD was released by Sri. K.Anbalagan, Hon. Minister for the Education in an elaborate ceremony at on the 24th of February 2000

Animal model training

First time in the Nation and in Asia, “Hands on Training in EASIE Animal Model” on diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures is being conducted twice a year as an ongoing programme for training Endoscopists in performing various Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopic procedures

Since 2001,20 such training courses have been conducted at Coimbatore, New Delhi, Mysore, Chennai and Trichy. 500 doctors from all over , Srilanka and US have been trained .This course has been accredited by Indian Society of Gastroenterology.

National Workshop on Basics of Endoscopy and Colonoscopy

National workshop “Endocol”on the basics of Endoscopy and Colonoscopy is conducted once in 2 Years since 2001. This is the only programme which is on-going in the nation training the juniors on basic skills of Endoscopy and Colonoscopy.

Capsule Endoscopy

First to launch “Capsule Endoscopy”- one of the first two pieces of equipment in released by chief minister Selvi J Jayalalithaa in 2004. More than 500 patients with small intestinal problems like obscure GI bleed, Obscure abdominal pain and diarrhea have been benefitted by this technological marvel of the new millennium.

Lateral viewing Capsule

VGM Hospital being one of the two research centres in the world, Capsocam capsule from Saratoga, USA was launched for the first time in India.

Urea Breath Analyser

First in the nation to introduce “The Heliprobe Machine ”(a novel method to detect ulcer causing bacteria H.pylori) which was launched by his excellency Dr. Sri A .P J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, in 2003

Hydrogen Breath Analyser

First in the South India to introduce “The Hydrogen Breath Analyser” for lactose, sucrose and fructose intolerance and bacterial over growth, etc.

Fibroscan

Fatty Liver, excessive alcohol intake, infection by hepatitis B and C viruses, diabetes, high cholesterol, certain drugs, etc may cause liver fibrosis. This leads to stiffness of liver which hampers its functioning. By fibroscan we can assess liver fibrosis noninvasively, by measuring the stiffness of liver disease

Philips IU22 Elastography (The most advanced Ultrasound Machine in the world)

Easy to use, robust, and highly sensitive, Philips Shearwave Ultrasound Elastography Machine is a non-invasive Technology for detection of early cancer. Elastography is a very helpful technique that adds value to the sonographic examination by enabling evaluation of the stiffness of tissue.

CV 190 Olympus scope (The most advanced endoscopy system in the world)

Dual focus, zoom endoscopy – a unique optical imaging technology enabling detailed examination of mucosal pattern, useful in detecting Early Cancer. Brighter, more powerful Narrow Band Imaging True-to-life HD endoscopic images of breath-taking clarity, delivering the optimum support for accurate diagnosis. Useful for Liver disease - related pathologiel in GI tract.

Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES )

Removing gall bladder, appendix etc using the endoscope is a new arena in the field of surgery. Teaming up with the surgeons of Transvaginal Appendicectomy was for the first time in the world and a live demonstration to through teleconference was done recently. Pioneering work is on, using new accessories and 3 articles have been published in international journals.

Live transmission of NOTES

Transvaginal appendcectomy from during the "5th International Workshop on Endoscopic Ultrasound and Advanced Therapeutic Endoscopy" From 12th to 13th April 2008. AMASICON 2008, Chennai 3-6 July 2009.

Articles Published

Transvaginal endoscopic appendectomy in humans: a unique approach to
NOTES- World's First Report.
Surg Endosc. 2008 Mar 18.
Transvaginal Endoscopic Cholecystectomy in Humans - Preliminary Report of Case Series Am J Gastroenterol March 2009.

Papers Presented on NOTES :

16th Asian Congress of Surgery & 3rd Chinese Surgical Week,
Trans Vaginal Endoscopic Cholecystectomy in Humans: Our Experience of Notes
Step by Step Transition from Laparoscopy to Notes: Our Centre Experience
Trans Vaginal Endoscopic Appendectomy in Humans: Feasibility of Notes
Transumbilical Endoscopic Appendicectomy in Humans: A New Way to Learn Notes
Transumbilical Endoscopic Choelcystectomy :
A New Way to Learn Notes

Awards

“OUTSTANDING YOUNG INDIAN AWARD” IN 1993 by the Coimbatore Cosmo Jaycees for services to the community at various levels.

Awarded at the Zonal level (Zone XVII). Awarded the title of “AANMIGA SELVAR” by Karthigai Vizha Manram, Udumalpet in 1999.
IMA STATE AWARD-“Dr. DHAMODHARAN AWARD” FOR Best Medical Services “ in the state for the year 2004-05
OUTSTANDING PERSONALITY AWARD by AP and TN Inter-State IMA Private Practitioners Association, 27TH NOVEMBER 2005
STAR OF K.G. HOSPITAL AWARD,
Presented by HH.Balagangadharanath Swamiji, in 2006.
OUSTANDING PERSONALITY AWARD presented by town Arya Vysya shroff Vyabarigal Maha Sabhai trust-2007.
VOCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD by Rotary club of Coimbatore Millennium-2009
GOVERNOR’S SPECIAL AWARD 2010 R.I.Dist.3202
EXCELLENCE IN MEDICAL FIELD AWARD by Tamil Nadu Arya Vysya Mahasabhai, Chennai, 2009.
PROPAGATING EXCELLENCE IN LIVER CARE AWARD presented by Indian Society of Gastroenterology, TN Chapter at Salem, 19 Feb.2012.
AWARD OF A PPRECIATION OF 25 YEARS OF GASTROENTEROLOGY SERVICE Pollachi Tamil Isai Sangham 09 Sep 2012.
BEST DOCTOR AWARD by The Tamilnadu Dr.MGR Medical University, Chennai 2012.
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AWARD by The Tamilnadu Dr.MGR Medical University, Chennai, 2012.
BEST ENTREPREUNER AWARD by Times of India, 2013
CHANGE MAKER AWARD 2014, for exemplary Community Service by R.I.Dist.3201
Dr.DHAMODHARAN AWARD
STAR OF K.G. HOSPITAL
Vocational Excellence

Invited Orations

Dr. Kalyanaraman Oration presented at IMA , Coimbatore Branch 1998.
Dr. Padmanur Rama Rao Oration at IMA Conference at in 2001.
Dr. S.P Rajarathinam Oration at Tamilnadu State IMA conference at Trichy 2005.
Presidential Oration at Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopists of India Conference at Mumbai, 2011.
Dr. S.P Rajarathinam Oration at Tamilnadu State IMA conference at Coimbatore 2012.
Dr. N.Madhana Gopalan Oration at Tamilnadu ISG Conference, 2014.

Text Book & Journal Publications

“Ribavirin in the management of chronic Hepatitis B” Chapter in the text books on “Hepatitis B in India -Prevention and Management” by Dr.S.K.Sarin and A.K.Singhal, CBS Publishers, New Delhi 2004;504-11

“Newer techniques for screening and surveillance in Barrett's Esophagus” chapter in the text book on “current management of GERD” BY Dr.J.S.Rajkumar and Dr.Shanthi I JCP 2006.

Chapter on “Principles of Medical Ethics for gastroenterologists” in the book “100 Clinical questions in Gastroenterology”- Volume 1; I JCP 2007.

Chapter on Microscopic colitis “IBD” book published in 2008.

Chapter on Hepatitis A virus - “LIVER-A complete book on Hepato pancreatico biliary disease - 2009-Elsivier.

Text book on Therapeutic endoscopy with DVD under process, to be published .

Practice of Endoscopy

Dr.V.G.M. is skilled in upper GI Endoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy, ERCP & Therapeutic Endoscopic Procedures like Sclerotherapy of Varices, EVBL, Fundal Glue Therapy, Dilation of Strictures, Foreign Body Removal, Metal stenting, Formalin Gauze Therapy, Polypectomy, EUS, etc.

Fellowships & Memberships

Life Fellow of Indian Society of Gastroenterology.
Life Fellow of Endoscopy Society of India.
Life Fellow of Association of Physicians of India.
Life Fellow of Indian Medical Association.
Life Fellow Of College of Chest Physicians.
Life Fellow of Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopists of India.

International Memberships

Member of International Association for the Study of Liver.
Member of the American Gastroenterologic Association.
Member of American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Important Positions

Honorary Wildlife Warden , Coimbatore District.1998-2002
Member, Telephone Advisory Committee, 1997-99, Coimbatore District.
President , Sri Kannikaparameswari Kalvi Khazaham, Udamalpet
Director, The Karur Vysya Bank Ltd.
Non-official Jail Visitor to Sub Jail at Udamalpet 2005-07.
Elected Vice President of Society of Gastrointestinal Endsocopists of , 2008-09.
President Tamil Nadu Chapter of Indian Society of Gastroenterology, 2009-10
National President, Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopists of India, 2010-2011
National President, Indian Society of Gastroenterology 2013 - 14. 15

Aspects of Social Service

Hepatitis B vaccination
Deputy Governor for the RI District 3200 planned a programme called “Rotary against Hepatitis B”.
Conducted a seminar for the Rotarians in July 1999 on Hepatitis B vaccination at . This was followed by vaccination of children taken up by the 96 Rotary Clubs in R.I,District 3200 and 3,50,000 children have been vaccinated in eleven months from July 1999 to May 2000.
Responsible personally for bringing down the cost of hepatitis B vaccine from Rs.350-450/-per dose to 60-70/-per dose by discussing with the manufactures of Shanvac and Engerix 'B' and all other brands also followed by reducing their costs for mass vaccination purposes.
Has given many lectures on Hepatitis Viruses and the importance of vaccination in AIR, Doordharshan and to medical and non-medical audiences in several platforms for past eleven years.
Creating Awareness on Hepatitis Viruses and their Prevention and vaccination against Hepatitis B along with cine actress Smt. Manorama on was telecast several times in Raj TV Vijay TV and JJ TV in 1998.
Expanding awareness on liver diseases with periodical interviews over the past 27 years in regional and national newspapers and journals. 16

Lectures in Mass Media

More than a hundred lectures have been delivered by him in mass
media channels like television and radio featuring on various topics like
medical care, philosophy, humor, leadership and even nature.
All India Radio from 1987 - 2012.
Several Lectures in DOORDHARSHAN in 1992, 1998, 2007, 2008, 2010 & 2013
Prevention of Viral Hepatitis with Popular Movie Star Smt. MANAORAMA telecast several times in JJ TV, VIJAY TV, RAJ TV,
VIJAY TV - NAIYANDI DHARBER IN AUGUST 2001.
SUN TV & DOCTOR SUN NEWS
More than 12 programmes from 2001 till date.
JAYA TV - “KAALAI MALAR” - 2000, 2008 & 2012.
POLIMER Satellite TV
RAJ TV

Articles in Daily & Weekly Magazines

Articles have been published several times in The Hindu, The Indian Express, Junior Vikatan and all Tamil Dailies.
Two page articles on therapeutic endoscopy, gastroenterology and hepatology appeared in the national fortnightly”FRONTLINE” in October 2001.
Tamil Monthly “Thannambikkai” published a cover story article in June 2008.
A cover story article was published in 2014 in a Tamil monthly “ Kilakku Vasal Udhayam”. 17

Dissemination of Knowledge

Dr.V.G.M. launched a CD on Therapeutic endoscopy, the first of its kind, dealing with the various endoscopy manouvres, and has published a booklet on the subject “Love thy liver” in Tamil, circulating around 20,000 copies so far. This speaks of the ill-effects of alcohol, drugs, cholestrol and water-borne viruses like Hep A & E on the liver and creates awareness about the parenteral transmission of Hep B and C viruses in an easy-to-understand language to carry the message to every common man.

Social Service Organisations served
Past member of the Lions Leo Club
Past Member, the Editor and Secretary of the Rotaract Club of . (Won the Best Club Award of the R.I.DIST 320.)
Past Member of NSS and NCC
Life Fellow of YMCA
Life Member, Udumalai Tamil IIakkiya Manram.
Life Fellow of St.Joseph's College Old Students Association
He has been the Secretary of Medical College Old Students Association From 1992 to 1994.

Rotary

Member Rotary Club of Udamalpet since 1987.
Served Several Club posts.
President ,Rotary club of Udamalpet 1993-94
Club won “Balanced Activities Award of R.I.Dist 3200”apart from 5 others Awards.
Dr.V.G.M. was responsible for starting the IMA Rotary Blood Bank at Udumalpet during his tenure as a Chairman, Rotary Blood Project 1999-2000 (More than 9000 units of blood have been given to the needy at an affordable cost till date).

Rotary International District posts held

Member, Editorial Board of R.I.Dist 3200 Bulletin 'Word'1992-93.
Governor's Group Representative 1994-95.
District Editor 1995-96.
District Chairman .Rotaract 1995-96.
District Chairman, International Youth Exchange 1996-97.
District Sub Committee Chairman, Foundation Information 1997-98.
Deputy Governor 1998-99.
District Chairman, Hepatic Care 1999-2000.
District Chairman, Leadership 2000-2001
District Chairman, Hepatic care 2001-2002
District Chairman Leader, District Training Programme on Rotary Information 2002-03.
District Chairman, Rotary Awareness 2003-2004
District Director,New Generations 2004-2005
District Director,Community Services,2005-2006
District Chairman ,Leadership 2006-2007
District Advisor ,New Generations 2007-08.
Invited guest speaker for Dist conferences of 3000,3100,3200.2980,3201,3202
Dist. Director General, New Generations, 2009-2010
Dist. Resource person, 2010 - 2011.
Dist. Chairman, Orphan Girl Child, 2012-2013.

Contributions to the Rotary Foundation

Paul Harris Fellow
Benefactor
Major Donar

Indian Medical Association Activities

Active Member of Udumalpet IMA Since 1988.
Life Yellow of Indian Medical Association.
Member, IMA National Social Security Scheme.
Given Lectures on various topics in several IMA Branches.
State Council Member for one year.

Service to the Community

Free clothes and books for poor children
Formed a Charitable Trust in memory of his late foster-mother named
“AAGG TRUST” and Constructed a Kalyana Mantapam also.
From 1985 onwards every year free books and school uniforms expenditure of the needy.

Free Clinic for the Poor

Inaugurated a Free clinic for the Poor on 04.06.1990.Free consultation, Injections and wound-dressings are carried out daily by a medical officer and a nurse. Approximately 35,000 patients have benefited until 2005.

LIST OF STUDIES / CLINICAL TRIALS CONDUCTED LUMINAL GASTROENTEROLOGY

International Multi-center trial to assess the efficacy of newer Mesalamine oral preparation Versus Standard of Care in Mild to moderate Ulcerative Colitis.
International Multi-center Trial of Pantoprazole Sodium Vs
Pantoprazole Magnesium for healing of patients suffering from Gastro
esophageal Reflux Disease Grade A-D (According to LA Classification).
International Multi-center trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a newer 5 HT3 Antagonists in Diarrhoea predominant IBS.
International Multi-center trial of Vedolizumab in moderate to Severe Ulcerative Colitis.
National Multi-center trial to study the efficacy of Mesalamaine Suppositories in mild to Moderate Ulcerative colitis
Estimation of Calprotectin in blood, saliva and faeces in prospective population based case control studies in pulmnary and Intestinal Tuberculosis and family pedigree study.

HEPATOLOGY :

International Multi-center trial of sublingual interferon in Chronic Hepatitis B and C.
Single center Experience of Herbal therapy in dissolution of Gall Stones.
National Multi-center Trial of Chronic HBV & Chronic HCV infection with Interferon Therapy.
International Multi-center trial on pegylated Interferon in patients of Chronic Hepatitis B & Chronic Hepatitis C
National Multi-center observational study to asses the prevalence of host and viral genotype of patients with Chronic Hepatitis C & Chronic Hepatitis B infection in India.
International multi-center trial of Tormogens in patients of chronic Hepatitis C genotype 1 – Phase IIb study.
International multi-center trial of Entecavir in patients of chronic Hepatitis B.
International Multi-center trial on HDV (Hepasome derived-vesicle) Interferon in patients of Chronic hepatitis C.
International multi-center Double blinded, Placebo controlled, randomized study on Hepatitis C Genotype-1 treatment non responder population with Boceprevir plus SOC versus SOC alone.
International multi-center Double blinded randomized, study on Hepatitis C Genotype - 1 & 3 patients with Sofosbovir plus Ribavirin Versus SOC (starting now).
International Multi-center study Double blinded randomized study in e Antigen positive and e-Antigen negative HBV patients with Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) vs Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) (starting now).

ENDOSCOPY

Comparison of lateral viewing Capsovision Capsule Endoscope with Colon 1 Capsule (Given Imaging) or Colonoscopy in detection - accuracy of colonic pathologies.

Papers Published

“Problem of Pyogenic Liver Abscess in a Tropical Country”- American Journal of Gastroenterology 1989; 84:1466.
“Selinium Deficiency with Risk of Oral Cancer”-WHO& UIC II International Congress on Oral Cancer Proceedings. Mac 1999, 1; 312:42-44.
“Pseudo-hypoparathyroidism and Pseudo-pseudohypoparathyroidsm”- Journal of Association of Physcians of India 1986:34; 600-602.
Capsule endoscopic detection of worms in GI tract GIE (Endoscopy Journal of American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy ) October 2006.
Notes : TRANSVAGINAL ENDOSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN HUMANS –
PRELIMINARY REPORT OF A CASE SERIES: American Journal of Gastroenterology, 104; 843-847; March 2009.
Transvaginal endoscopic appendectomy in humans - a unique approach to NOTES-World’s first report: Journal of Surg Endoscopy, Vol 22; 5; 1343 -1347; Mar 2008.
Epidemiological and clinical profile of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in India, Report of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology Task Force- Indian Gastroenterol 2008, Jan-Feb; 27:22-28
Comparison of Hepatitis C Virus Genotyping by 5_ Noncoding Region and Core-Based Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay with Sequencing and Use of the Assay for Determining Subtype Distribution in India. Journal of clinical Microbiology, Nov. 2003, p. 5240–5244 Vol. 41, No. 11.
ERCP in situs inversus can be performed in left lateral position - Journal of Digestive endoscopy, April, June,2012, volume 3, number 2, pg. 42-44
Endoscopic Collagen Spray . Endoscopy e Journal 2013 (Thiene)
On treatment HBsAg Kinetics with Newer Combination Therapy in Genotype D, Envelope Antigen Negative Chronic Hepatitis B- Interim Analysis” Hepatalogy International, Volume 7, Issue 1 Supplement, June 2013.
.Role of cyanoacrylate glue therapy in enteral SEMS bleeding- A Nightmare. Journal of Digestive Endoscopy, Vol 4/Issue 3/ July - September 2013
Self Expandable Metallic Stent for the treatment of postoperative esophago-jejunal anastomosis. Tropical Gastroenterology, Vol 35, No.3, July- September 2014.

Lectures in International Conferences

IV United Arab Emirates Conference of Gastroenterology, Dubai November 1995. Presented a Paper Entitled “Combination Therapy with Interferon and Ribavirin is superior to Interferon mono therapy in Chronic Active Liver Disease due to Hepatitis B or C.

IX International Symposium on Viral Hepatitis, Rome, April 1996. He spoke on the panel of “ASIAHEP” representing India, on 'Strategies of prevention of Hepatitis-B'.

Invited to participate in an International Workshop on “Helicobacter Pylori-clarifying the issues and curing the disease “at Shagri la, Singapore on 18-19, September 1997.

Delivered a talk on Chronic Hepatitis – B in a Satellite Symposium during Asian Pacific Congress of Gastroenterology Held at Hong Kong on 10th to 14th march 2000.

Delivered a talk on 'Lateral Viewing Capsule Endoscopy in a Satellite Symposium' during DDW 2010, USA.
Invited for a guest lecture on 'Endotherapy of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma' in DDW May 2014, USA.
Invited for a guest lecture on NAFLD - Pathogenesis lecture delivered in Annual Conference at Chinese Liver Study Group, Shangai, China, 2010.
Invited Guest Lecture on Capsule Endoscopy in Chinese Congress of Gastroenterology at Beijing, 2011.
Moderated a session on Drug induced Liver injury in Hepatology Live Conference at Rome, Italy, May 2011 .
Invited Guest Lecture in Annual Conference of Surgical Society of Srilanka, Feb 2012.
Chaired the session in Hepatology Live Conference at Vienna, Austria - May 2012.
Case Study Presentation on NAFLD + AFLD in Hepatalogy Live Conference , in Athens, Greece, May 2013.
Invited guest lecture on Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma at DDW, Chicago, USA, 2014.
International Workshops
Invited faculty in live endoscopy workshop organized by the Kandy Medical Association, at Kandy, Srilanka, 10th Feb 2005.
Invited faculty in live endoscopy workshop organized by the Colombo Medical Association, at Colombo, Srilanka - 2007.

Posters Presented

Conference of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology held at Cuttack; October 1995.

“Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori in 3142 cases of Dyspepsia”.

“Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori in Varioliform Gastritis” in the Best Poster Award of Indian Society of Endoscopy. XI World Congresses of Gastroenterology, Vienna, Austria 6 to 11

September 1998 and also presented paper on:

3. Combination of Ribavirin or Lamivudine with Interferon is Superior to Monotherapy in
Chronic Hepatitis B.
Prevalance of Non A to E Viruses in South India.
Presented a paper entitled “Cocktail therapy in Chronic Hepatitis C” at World Congresses of Gastroenterology, Bangkok, Thailand – February 2002.
South Indian Experience of Capsule Endoscopy - Poster Presented in European Congress of Capsule Endoscopy, Vienna, 2006.
Ontreatment HbsAg Kinetics with Newer Combination Therapy in Genotype D, Envelope Antigen Negative Chronic Hepatitis B - Interim Analysis" – presented at 23rd Annual Conference of Asia Pacific Association for Study of Liver (APASL 2013) - held at Singapore - 06th - 10th June 2013.
“Antiviral therapy in Acute Hepatitis B – Is it complimentary or Contradictory?” -presented at Asia Pacific Digestive Diseases Week 2013 – held at International Convention center, Shanghai, China - 21st - 24th September 2013
“Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation and Management of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) in India” - Presented at the National Conference of Indian Society Of Gastroenterology (ISG CON 2013) , Jaipur - Nov 2013. “Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation and Management of Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) in India - Interim analysis” - Presented at Annual Conference of Indian Association for Study of Liver (INASL 2013),Hyderabad March 2013
10.Chronic Genotype 4 Hepatitis C in India: Findings from a Multicenter, National Study - Presented at
24th Annual Conference of Asia Pacific Association for Study of Liver (APASL 2014) - held at
Brisbane, Australia - 12th - 15th March 2014.

Conferences Organised

GASTROCON'95 National update in Gastroenterology .
HEPDATE'96 National Update in Hepatitis .
HEPDATE'99,National update on Hepatitis on 15 August ,1999
ENDOCON 2000 Live Endoscopy Workshop on.30.12.2000
LIVE ENDOSCOPY WORKSHOP on 25.3.2001 at , Nagercoil, and demonstrated most of the therapeutic procedures.
ENDOCOL 2001 National Workshop on Basics of Endoscopy & Colonoscopy under the auspices of DR MGR MEDICAL UNIVERSITY with hands on Training in EASIE Animal Model” between 13-16th October 2001 organized .
MINICON 2001 One day Live Endoscopy Workshop on 16.12.2001. at K.G.Hospital,
MID TERM CONFERENCE OF ISG TN Chapter at Udumalpet on 27 2005
ENDOCOL 2004 National Workshop on Basics of Endoscopy & Colonoscopy with Hands on Training in EASIE Animal Model between 29.07.05 to 02.08.2005 organized at Coimbatore.
ENDOCOL 2006 National Workshop on Basics of Endoscopy & Colonoscopy with Hands on Training in EASIE Animal Model” between Sep-2006.
GASTROHEP 2008 - update programme on Gastroenterology & Hepatology for doctors on 25th May 2008 at
ENDOXCEL 2010 – Update in Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Live endoscopy, EUS workshop and Hands on training. In EASIE Animal model between 6 th & 7 th of March 2010 at Coimbatore.
ISGCON 2011 - National update in Gastroenterology & Hepatology
HEPDATE 2012 -Update in Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Live endoscopy 31st of January 2012 at Coimbatore.
NASH CONCLAVE - Update in Gastroenterology & Hepatology 04th June 2012 at Chennai.
ISG CON - MIDTERM 2014 along with CAPSULE CON INDIA 2014 in June 2014 at Coimbatore.