Dr.J.G. Shanmuganathan, Chairman and Co-Founder of Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore passed away on Friday (Aug 18). He was 93.

He started Ganga Hospital in 1978 in Coimbatore with his wife and co-founder Kanakavalli Shanmuganathan, which then had 17 beds and 2 Operating Rooms. Under his able leadership, Ganga Hospital expanded 4 times and it became a 650 bedded multi-specialty hospital with 38 operation theaters in 2020. He also started multiple medical-educational institutions since 2010 in the city. 

With his guidance, the hospital also earned the reputation as one of the most important hospitals and research institutes in the country. 

Dr. Shanmuganathan had great love for Tamil and he enrolled for the PhD program in the Bharathiar University, Coimbatore at the ripe age of 78 years and successfully completed the thesis project in 2013.

His departure is a great loss for the city.