Manipur's Glorious Leader

Despite the turbulence in Manipur, he successfully manages to run the largest hospital in Imphal— Shija Hospital

Dr Kh Palin ( 52) Managing Director, Shija Hospital, Imphal

Born on September, 1956 at Imphal, he did MBBS from RIMS, Imphal, MS (Gen Surgery) from PGI, Chandigarh and MCh (Plastic Surgery from PGI Chandigarh).

Why an entrepreneur?

He became an entrepreneur not by choice but by circumstance. "My father was a politician who exhausted all his resources and died in an accident. He died on the last day of submission of application form for my MBBS course. We were left with all the inconveniences in life. That's how I wanted to do something on my own," says he. Additionally, while working in RIMS, he felt limited and thus wanted to start his own venture.

Before being an entrepreneur

He joined RIMS as registrar in casualty and then general surgery departments in 1979. He had the chance to associate with Dr Th Brajabidhu Singh, an England returned Gynaecologist, in Leirik Memorial Hospital for one year. In 1982, he left for PGI, Chandigarh for MS in General Surgery after which he re-joined RIMS in 1984 in the department of plastic surgery as a registrar. He completed two years MCh (Plastic Surgery) course again from PGI, Chandigarh in 1992. He was promoted to the post of Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery in 1993.

The first move

In 1996, he resigned from RIMS. He wanted to devote himself for the rapid advancement in the field of medical science in North-East India in general, and Manipur in particular. He already had his private practice by then. "I started private practice with a minor operation theatre attached to one pharmacy at Paona Bazar in Imphal in June 1985 in the name and style of Shija Clinic. We started measles vaccination for the first time in Manipur and cryofreezing, a non-operative treatment of piles, for the first time in Northeast India in 1986," says he.

As the practice began to flourish, he required a bigger place where he could perform major operations and also patients keep patients for post-op. In 1998, he thus shifted to a rented building in RIMS Road. However, as he was determined to complete MCh (Plastic Surgery), he left the management of the clinic to his wife Dr Bonney for two-long years.

Over the years

The customer demands increased over the years. "In 1997 again, we faced inconveniences in term of structure, pollution, space etc. This time we were looking for an eco-friendly and spacious environment where a modern hospital could be constructed," he informs.

His search stopped at the Langol, a hilly area where the present building stands. "We changed from partnership to private limited company and started construction with the finance from SIDBI in 1998," says he.

He also changed the name of Shija Clinic Private Limited to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute Private Limited by 2001 to give the wider picture the organisation. The first phase of G plus one was inaugurated on 15th September, 2002.

"In 2003, one of our operations has set a Guinness World Record for successful excision of the largest neck tumour in the world. The tumour constituted 40 per cent of the total body weight. The record also boosted our reputation," says he.

In 2005, he once again felt the need for expansion. He thus added three floors and some more facilities. “Now, we have five OTs and 175 beds, including an 18-bed ICU. We enjoy blue ocean strategy in many departments like Opthalmology, Keyhole Surgery, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery etc," he adds. The hospital received ISO certification in 2006.

The hospital is also doing free cleft lip and palate correction under Smile Train Inc New York. "Under this project, we have given smiles on the face of 1,300 cleft lip and palate patients. We are expanding our service to neighbouring states," says he.

Contribution to healthcare

He has many firsts to his credits. He has performed free flap surgery for sole defect successfully in December, 1995 and re- implantation of amputated thumb in 2000 for the first time in North East India. He brought the art of laparoscopic surgery for the first time in Manipur in April, 1996.

He is credited for the historic installation of Harmonic Scalpel (USA)— an instrument for bloodless surgery, for the first time in India at Shija Hospitals, Imphal in 1997. He is also credited for the installation of Infra Red Coagulator, the latest and most scientific non-operative treatment of piles in 1997 for the first time in Eastern India. He brought facilities of video endoscopy upper and lower GI, ERCP, Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Arthroscopy, PCNL, URS, CLT for the first time in Manipur and ICU and neurosurgery in private sector in Manipur.

Awards

Awarded 'NETV People's Choice Award 2005 for his contribution in the field of healthcare business in the region.

Fears and apprehension

He always had reasonable apprehension whenever he purchased an equipment or expanded or shifted to the new location. "But I have the strong conviction that we can overcome the loss by providing better service to the customers and developing blue ocean strategy. And we have proved it already," says he.

Overcoming roadblocks

Political leadership, conflict situation, law and order, NGOs, blockade, extortion, insensitive governance, low socio-economic status are some of the roadblocks that he has to grapple with constantly.

Mistakes made and lessons learnt

"The best should be selected even if you have to spend a little more. Madness or passion for growth is required for success, but family and business should be balanced. Cash flow should be strictly monitored," feels he.

Any formal degree in management?

"No. It will be an added advantage if I have formal training and degree. However, I had done a short course in modern hospital management at IIM Ahmedabad in May, 2003," informs Dr Palin.

Tips for entrepreneurship

"Growing is less risky than not growing at all. Growth stories attract and energise the best employees. There is no such thing as mature business. Growth is mentally created by a company' leadership. Balanced growth is the key to prosperity in the 21st century. Making things simple is one of the great strength," he believes.

An entrepreneur that he admires in healthcare

"Dr Devi Prasad Shetty of Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore as he makes his business purposeful," says he.

The road ahead

Shija is presently facing some financial crunch, which Dr Palin believes are short-lived. “The problem is the result of higher investment, increasing employees and less production. However, I do not believe in downsizing but in taking more opportunities. Growth is the only solution," he earnestly feels. He also wants to start cardiac sciences and infertility clinic, a nursing college and DNB course. His ultimate dream is to start a health city in Imphal.