Dr. R. Balamurugan assumes charge as Rotary Club President

Dr. R. Balamurugan, senior diabetologist and Founder of Kovai Diabetes Speciality Centre and Hospital, assumed office as President of the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Saicity for the Rotary year 2026–27 at the club’s installation ceremony held at the Sarva Ball Room, Hotel Grand Regent, Coimbatore.
Rtn. J. Balaji assumed charge as Secretary, while Rtn. Rajavel K. took over as Treasurer. Dr. J. Rajamoorthy, retired Director of Medical and Rural Health Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, author and orator, was the Chief Guest. Dr. K. M. Abul Hassan, Past President of the Indian Medical Association Tamil Nadu and Chairman of the Hospital Board of India, attended as the Guest of Honour. Dr. B. Koshalram, President of the Indian Medical Association, Coimbatore Branch, felicitated the new office-bearers. The function was attended by Rtn. Manivannan, District Director, RI District 3206, Rtn. Deepana, Assistant Governor, RI District 3206, and Rtn. Thulasiethu, GGR. Outgoing President Rtn. Haldorai and Outgoing Secretary Rtn. Ananthakrishnan formally handed over charge.
Presenting his vision for the year, Dr. Balamurugan announced a series of preventive healthcare initiatives focused on early disease detection and prevention. The club will organise district-wide pre-diabetes screening programmes, launch the Rotary Health Series in association with the Indian Medical Association to conduct quarterly public health awareness sessions by medical experts, provide affordable FibroScan screening for the early detection of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) for Rotary members and cluster clubs, and implement a comprehensive diabetic foot prevention programme through education, screening and timely intervention.
Speaking after assuming office, Dr. Balamurugan said the club would focus on identifying people at risk of diabetes and encouraging healthier lifestyles to prevent disease progression through sustained community-based preventive healthcare initiatives.
Highlighting the club’s flagship service projects, Dr. Balamurugan said the Gift of Life programme has facilitated free life-saving heart surgeries for more than 1,500 children born with congenital heart defects in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Philippines over the past decade.
The fourth edition of the SASSRA project, aimed at rehabilitating people with spinal cord injuries caused by accidents, was also launched during the function. Educational assistance was extended to a college student, while financial support was provided to musicians facing financial hardship.