GEM Hospital and Research Centre grew out of a bet made in 1991, when Dr. C. Palanivelu, a surgeon in Coimbatore, began doing laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery at a time when few Indian surgeons trusted it. That early work, first under the name Coimbatore Institute of Gastrointestinal Endo-Surgery (CIGES), became GEM, short for Gastroenterology Medical Centre. Today the flagship 200-bed, NABH-accredited hospital on Pankaja Mill Road in Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore is known across Asia for minimally invasive and robotic gastrointestinal surgery. It performs more than 6,000 operations a year. GEM has grown into a chain with branches in Chennai, Tiruppur, Erode, Puducherry, and Thrissur, and it runs a 20-bed free ward for patients who cannot afford treatment.
| Quick Facts | Details |
| Full name | GEM Hospital & Research Centre |
| What GEM stands for | Gastroenterology Medical Centre |
| Address | 45A, Pankaja Mill Road, Ramanathapuram (Sowripalayam Pirivu / Palaniappa Nagar area), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641045, India |
| Roots | 1991, as the Coimbatore Institute of Gastrointestinal Endo-Surgery (CIGES) |
| Company incorporated | 18 July 2000 |
| Founder & Chairman | Dr. C. Palanivelu, MS, MCh, DNB, FACS, FRCS (Hon) Ed |
| Directors (company records) | Dr. C. Palanivelu, Dr. P. Praveen Raj, Jaya Palanivelu |
| Type | Speciality hospital for gastroenterology and minimal access surgery |
| Bed capacity | 200 |
| Accreditation | NABH |
| Surgical volume | 6,000+ minimally invasive and robotic surgeries a year (as reported) |
| Sub-specialities | Bariatric and metabolic surgery, hepatobiliary surgery, colorectal surgery, GI cancer surgery, endo-gynaecology, endo-urology, “scarless” surgery |
| Charity | 20-bed free medical ward; GEM Digestive Diseases Foundation; free mobile clinic for villages |
| Teaching | Institute of Gastroenterology & Minimal Access Surgery |
| Staff | About 950 (company records) |
| Emergency / main phone | 0422-2325100 |
| Hours | 24×7 |
| Branches | Coimbatore, Chennai (Perungudi and Aminjikarai), Tiruppur, Erode, Puducherry, Thrissur |
| Nearest railway station | Coimbatore Junction, roughly 5–6 km |
| Nearest airport | Coimbatore International Airport (Peelamedu), roughly 7–9 km |
| Time zone | IST, UTC+5:30 (no daylight saving) |
| Official website | gemhospitals.com |
From a 1991 Laparoscopy Unit to a Gastro Hospital Chain
Dr. C. Palanivelu completed his MS in surgery and MCh in gastroenterology relatively late and began his career as a faculty member at Coimbatore Medical College. In 1991, he started performing laparoscopic surgery in Coimbatore and set up what became South India’s first laparoscopic centre.
The venture was first called the Coimbatore Institute of Gastrointestinal Endo-Surgery (CIGES). As it expanded into a full hospital for digestive diseases, it took the name GEM. GEM describes itself as Asia’s first exclusive centre for gastroenterology and advanced laparoscopic surgery, and over the years it developed specialised units in:
- Bariatric (obesity) surgery
- Hepatobiliary surgery (liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts)
- Colorectal surgery
- GI cancer surgery
- Endo-gynaecology and endo-urology
- “Scarless” surgery
Dr. Palanivelu often says, “I have never forgotten where I came from.” That outlook is reflected in the hospital’s charitable work.
Sub-Specialities and What They Treat
| Sub-Speciality | Common Conditions and Procedures |
| Upper GI surgery | Hiatus hernia, reflux (GERD), achalasia, stomach conditions |
| Hepatobiliary surgery | Gallstones, bile duct stones, liver and pancreatic conditions |
| Colorectal surgery | Piles, fistula, rectal prolapse, bowel diseases, colorectal cancer |
| GI cancer surgery | Cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, and colon |
| Bariatric and metabolic surgery | Severe obesity, obesity-related type 2 diabetes |
| Hernia surgery | Inguinal, umbilical, incisional, and complex hernias |
| Endo-gynaecology | Fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, hysterectomy by keyhole |
| Endo-urology | Kidney stones and prostate problems, treated endoscopically |
| Medical gastroenterology | Endoscopy, colonoscopy, liver disease, and digestive disorders |
Keyhole, Robotic, and “Scarless” Surgery
Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery uses small incisions, a camera, and long instruments instead of one large cut. Compared with open surgery, it usually means:
- Less pain after surgery
- Shorter hospital stays
- Faster return to normal activities
- Smaller scars and a lower risk of wound problems
Robotic surgery is a form of keyhole surgery in which the surgeon controls robotic arms from a console. It gives magnified 3D vision and very precise movement, which is particularly useful for surgery in tight spaces like the pelvis.
“Scarless” surgery usually refers to techniques that hide incisions, such as a single incision through the navel or approaches through natural body openings. These aren’t suitable for everyone.
One honest caveat: In a small number of keyhole operations, the surgeon may need to convert to open surgery for safety. Ask your surgeon how often this happens for your procedure.
Obesity and Metabolic Surgery
GEM’s Obesity & Diabetes Surgery Centre says it has performed some of the largest numbers of bariatric operations in Asia. Bariatric procedures, such as sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass:
- Lead to significant, lasting weight loss for many people with severe obesity
- Often improve or lead to remission of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnoea
- Require lifelong follow-up, vitamin supplements, and changes to eating habits
Surgery is generally considered after diet, exercise, and medical treatment haven’t worked, and after full assessment by a team that includes surgeons, physicians, dietitians, and psychologists.
Free Ward and Charitable Work
GEM’s charitable activities include:
- A 20-bed free medical ward at the hospital, where needy patients can receive treatment, including laparoscopic surgery, free of charge
- The GEM Digestive Diseases Foundation, a charitable trust managed by Dr. Palanivelu
- A free mobile clinic that takes medical care to remote villages, with the motto “Reach the unreached”
If you need financial help, ask the hospital’s administration about eligibility for the free ward or foundation support.
Teaching and Training
As Professor and Director of the Institute of Gastroenterology & Minimal Access Surgery, Dr. Palanivelu has trained many surgeons in laparoscopic techniques. GEM runs fellowships, workshops, and live surgery demonstrations, and surgeons from India and abroad come to Coimbatore to learn minimally invasive GI surgery.
Getting to Ramanathapuram
The flagship hospital is at 45A, Pankaja Mill Road, in Ramanathapuram, a residential area in south-east Coimbatore near Sowripalayam Pirivu.
- From Coimbatore Junction: Roughly 5–6 km, about 15–20 minutes by road.
- From Coimbatore International Airport: Roughly 7–9 km, about 20–30 minutes.
- From Gandhipuram bus stand: A short cab or auto ride.
- From Kerala: Coimbatore is well connected to Palakkad and Thrissur by road and rail. GEM also has a Thrissur branch.
GEM Branches
- Coimbatore (flagship, Ramanathapuram)
- Chennai: Perungudi and Aminjikarai
- Tiruppur
- Erode
- Puducherry
- Thrissur, Kerala
Services vary by branch, so confirm which surgeons and procedures are available at your nearest centre.
Before Laparoscopic Surgery: Questions to Ask
- Is keyhole surgery suitable for me, and what are the alternatives?
- How many of these procedures does the team do each year?
- What’s the chance of converting to open surgery?
- How long will I stay in hospital, and when can I return to work?
- What diet and activity limits will I have afterwards?
- What will the total cost be, including consumables, and what does my insurance cover?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the address of GEM Hospital Coimbatore?
A: 45A, Pankaja Mill Road, Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641045.
Q2. What does GEM stand for?
A: Gastroenterology Medical Centre.
Q3. Who founded GEM Hospital?
A: Dr. C. Palanivelu, a pioneer of laparoscopic surgery in India.
Q4. When did GEM Hospital start?
A: Its roots go back to 1991, when Dr. Palanivelu started laparoscopic surgery in Coimbatore.
Q5. How many beds does GEM Hospital have?
A: The Coimbatore hospital has 200 beds.
Q6. Is GEM Hospital NABH accredited?
A: Yes. It is NABH accredited.
Q7. Does GEM Hospital do bariatric surgery?
A: Yes. Its Obesity & Diabetes Surgery Centre performs bariatric and metabolic surgery.
Q8. Does GEM Hospital offer free treatment?
A: Yes. It runs a 20-bed free ward for needy patients, along with a charitable foundation and a mobile clinic.
Q9. Does GEM Hospital have branches in other cities?
A: Yes. It has branches in Chennai, Tiruppur, Erode, Puducherry, and Thrissur.
Q10. What is the emergency number of GEM Hospital Coimbatore?
A: Call 0422-2325100.
