PIONEER PERSONIFIED

In 1983, Prabhu Tiwari, from Hyderabad, armed with a bachelor’s degree in science (zoology, botany and chemistry) began his career as medical representative. This brought about stints with the hospital divisions of both Johnson & Johnson and Cadila and exposure to the insidious nature of post operative infections. This led to his developing a thorough understanding of the subject and how even the most successful surgical intervention can eventually become failures due to an infected hospital environment - during surgery when the patient is open and so most vulnerable; and to an extent even during essential in-hospital post operative care. Determined to play his part in developing solutions, he also saw opportunity. In 1997, he ventured out on his own into making air sterilizers and allied air purity equipment for hospital settings. 1998 saw him establishing his own company in Hyderabad and diversifying into all manner of products that would enhance sterility in surgical centres and hospitals. The company was named Sai Sumeet after his only son. Decades before coinage of the term ‘Atmanirban this company was designing, manufacturing and constructing operation theatres not only all over India, but also for parts of Asia and the Middle East. It was the first Indian company to begin supplying modular operation theatres for hospitals. By 2006, they were making Poly Urethane Foam (PUF) panels and sterile laminar air flow systems and a year later, 256.6 nano-metre wavelength UV light systems for sterilizing. Prabhu’s son Sumeet, an electronic engineer by training came on board in 2014. Both Prabhu’s wife Vijaylaxmi, an MCA and daughter-in-law Ankita assist in the business; the ladies oversee its finance functions. Still today his motivation and strength is his only daughter Nidhi resident of USA. At the moment the company turnover is a little over Rs. 20 crores in India and its exports a little over Rs. 5 crores. Given that they have established more than 3000 modular operation theatres across Asia, it is a testimony to the fact that they offer great value-for-money. Prestigious projects in India include operation theatres in 760 bed Hospital A.J Hospital In Mangalore, MNR Medical College in Sangareddy Telengana (12 OTS) and the Deccan Medical College. Their collaboration with MNR goes back to 2008. Elsewhere, they have built OTS for Oman Medical College and the MASA Medical College in Kuala Lumpur. Sai Sumeet have also built two hospitals on turnkey basis – the 125 bed Narendra Hospital in Adilabad and the 280 bed Parivar Hospital in Gwalior. Now 59 years old, Prabhu humbly shies away from presenting lofty visions, but has dedicated himself to areas where he can make a difference such as eradicating post operative mortality due to infection. He strives to bring about greater affordability for the middle and lower middle classes for medical intervention at par with NABH and JCI standards. His other concern is with accessibility. Why should the scope of public schemes be limited to state borders? – he says. He points out that Ayushman must linked to Aadhar in a way that will entitle every citizen of India to medical benefits wherever they may be in the country.

Decades before coinage of the term ‘Atmanirban this company was designing, manufacturing and constructing operation theatres not only all over India, but also for parts of Asia and the Middle East. It was the first Indian company to begin supplying modular operation theatres for hospitals.