Col. Rajeev Mannali: An Efficient Maven Striving To Offer Impartial & Quality Healthcare
Col. Rajeev Mannali
Chief Administrative Officer
Once a cadet, later a colonel, today the Chief Administrative Officer at SUT Super Specialty Hospital, Rajeev served the Indian Army for 33 years. After his retirement in 2009, he decided to pursue his passion for saving lives and joined the health care sector. Today, Rajeev is outshining as a well versed professional and was awarded for excellence in Health Care Management by Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, Kala kaumudi Arogyam, and Rising Trivandrum.
CEO Insights admires his leadership and appreciates his contribution to the nation and the ever-evolving healthcare sector. We take pride to engage in an exclusive conversation with this meticulous leader. In the interview, he looks back on his journey, achievements, and shares inspiring nuggets. Below are the excerpts.
What triggered your initial foray into the health care sector from military services.
My first job in the healthcare industry was as the Chief Executive Officer and MD at Bahuleyan Charitable Foundation at Vaikom, Kerala. Later, I became the CAO of Sri Narayani Hospital & Research Centre at Vellore and I continued in the role till 2015. After that, while I was focused on charity and the holistic wellbeing of peoCol, I started a consultancy firm 'HEALTHY WORLD' which provides end-to-end solutions including organizing CSR on behalf of the corporates.. Currently, the organization is being managed by
professionals under my guidance.
The quintessence of my pursuit is to provide affordable quality health care and education to the deprived sections of the society based in rural areas of the country.
As a chief administrative officer of various hospitals, what responsibilities have you held so far?
My journey as an administrative officer began with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Where I was given the opportunity to head the fledgling Chittoor complex CMC, which was completed in a record period of six months. I could operationalize the center and lay the foundation for a good secondary care unit. Having completed the role, left to Cochin to take up the new challenge as Executive Director of Medical College - Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences. At SNIMS, I was heading both college and hospital and was responsible for laying down systems and strengthening the college as an excellent academic center.
In June 2018, I moved to (SUT) Super Speciality Hospital, which is a 220 bedded hospital. Although, it is a part of the BRS venture with a legacy and reputation of being a prime mover in the field, the hospital was going through a rough patch. In the past two and a half years, we have been able to turn around the situation completely and the hospital is now back to its original status; providing care and aid to patients from Thiruvananthapuram and neighboring districts.
How are you tackling the pandemic situation at your hospital? Mentions some of the precautions taken in order to avoid Covid-19 turning fatal.
Covid-19 has shattered us but I believe that every problem comes with an opportunity. This disaster is an intellectual test for human potential. While the healthcare sector is tirelessly working towards the vaccine and cure for the virus, the IT segment is advancing at a frantic pace and every industrial
The quintessence of my pursuit is to provide affordable quality health care and education to the deprived sections of the society based in rural areas of the country.
In the past two and a half years, we have been able to turn around the situation completely and the hospital is now back to its original status; providing care and aid to patients from Thiruvananthapuram and neighbouring districts
As a chief administrative officer of various hospitals, what responsibilities have you held so far?
My journey as an administrative officer began with Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore. Where I was given the opportunity to head the fledgling Chittoor complex CMC, which was completed in a record period of six months. I could operationalize the center and lay the foundation for a good secondary care unit. Having completed the role, left to Cochin to take up the new challenge as Executive Director of Medical College - Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences. At SNIMS, I was heading both college and hospital and was responsible for laying down systems and strengthening the college as an excellent academic center.
In June 2018, I moved to (SUT) Super Speciality Hospital, which is a 220 bedded hospital. Although, it is a part of the BRS venture with a legacy and reputation of being a prime mover in the field, the hospital was going through a rough patch. In the past two and a half years, we have been able to turn around the situation completely and the hospital is now back to its original status; providing care and aid to patients from Thiruvananthapuram and neighboring districts.
How are you tackling the pandemic situation at your hospital? Mentions some of the precautions taken in order to avoid Covid-19 turning fatal.
Covid-19 has shattered us but I believe that every problem comes with an opportunity. This disaster is an intellectual test for human potential. While the healthcare sector is tirelessly working towards the vaccine and cure for the virus, the IT segment is advancing at a frantic pace and every industrial
sector began to operate digitally. This is a good sign of growth amidst the tantrums thrown by the coronavirus. In my opinion, it has elevated the human senses and enhanced innovation in every possible way.
However, taking this seriously and adhering to the measures put forth by the government is the need of the hour. We at SUT, have a specialized advisory board and infection control board which is having an eagle eye to ensure the safety of our staff, patients, and their family. We facilitated strict scheduling, careful social distancing, using masks, temperature screening, and hand sanitization for all visitors.
Take us through your journey as an Army Man.
My love for joining the Indian Army began at the age of 11 when I joined Sainik School as a Cadet in 1966. I was selected for entry into the National Defense Academy (NDA) on the very first attempt and joined the NDA at the age of 17 During my career, I participated in operations in Sri Lanka as part of IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) as a Squadron Commander (Major), I worked in Jaffna and other sectors.
In the 33 and a half years of distin guished service in the Army, I have held important staff appointments as Chief Logistics Officer in a High Attitude Mountain Brigade in Tangdhar, Jammu & Kashmir. During the tenure, I had active exposure with Counter Insurgency Operation in J&K and Assam respectively. I was also part of Kargil. After being appointed to various higher appellations such as Director (Foreign Division), Head of Recruitment, and Administrative Command, I laid down the uniform on 31st January 2019 and joined the Health Care sector to begin the second innings. On the whole, it was a rewarding journey of growth and learning.
Col. Rajeev Mannali, Chief Administrative Officer, Sree Uthradom Thirunal (SUT) Hospital
Col. Mannali has been active on the social landscape and has been able to contribute to helping the poor and the needy. He has been awarded twice by ‘Ayurarogyam’ a vernacular healthcare magazine and ‘Kalakaumudi’ another prominent Malayalam weekly for the comprehensive contribution to healthcare management.
However, taking this seriously and adhering to the measures put forth by the government is the need of the hour. We at SUT, have a specialized advisory board and infection control board which is having an eagle eye to ensure the safety of our staff, patients, and their family. We facilitated strict scheduling, careful social distancing, using masks, temperature screening, and hand sanitization for all visitors.
Take us through your journey as an Army Man.
My love for joining the Indian Army began at the age of 11 when I joined Sainik School as a Cadet in 1966. I was selected for entry into the National Defense Academy (NDA) on the very first attempt and joined the NDA at the age of 17 During my career, I participated in operations in Sri Lanka as part of IPKF (Indian Peace Keeping Force) as a Squadron Commander (Major), I worked in Jaffna and other sectors.
In the 33 and a half years of distin guished service in the Army, I have held important staff appointments as Chief Logistics Officer in a High Attitude Mountain Brigade in Tangdhar, Jammu & Kashmir. During the tenure, I had active exposure with Counter Insurgency Operation in J&K and Assam respectively. I was also part of Kargil. After being appointed to various higher appellations such as Director (Foreign Division), Head of Recruitment, and Administrative Command, I laid down the uniform on 31st January 2019 and joined the Health Care sector to begin the second innings. On the whole, it was a rewarding journey of growth and learning.
Col. Rajeev Mannali, Chief Administrative Officer, Sree Uthradom Thirunal (SUT) Hospital
Col. Mannali has been active on the social landscape and has been able to contribute to helping the poor and the needy. He has been awarded twice by ‘Ayurarogyam’ a vernacular healthcare magazine and ‘Kalakaumudi’ another prominent Malayalam weekly for the comprehensive contribution to healthcare management.