Santhwana Hospital Pvt Ltd , Ambalamukku

My wife once had very high fever and I took her to Primus hospital at HSR Layout(Bangalore), as it was late evening time there were no senior doctors available . An available doctor started on IV and paracetamol without any diagnosis, they kept here there for almost 6 hrs and kept giving her high doses of paracetamol. After 6 hrs, her symptoms became worse and fever raised.

Next morning we came to Trivandrum and went to Swanthana Hospital, Dr Sudhakar was the consulting physician, she was immediately admitted to hospital and they did few blood test to rule out dengue and malaria. Once that was done, next he started her on IV and medications to reduce fever. He was so precise and professional, the diagnosis was done in a proper step by step manner. He then checked for the root cause and found that she was suffering from acute tonsillitis due to which body temperature raised, he also explained that, if it was ignored and treated only for superficial symptoms , then it would increase to a level where surgery would have been required. As, it was diagnosed correctly at early stage, it could be treated with an antibiotic course. She requested for a discharge next day as our twin boys were just an year old, the doctor consulted with the head of department Dr John Panicker and discharged her on condition that, she had to come everyday for an antibiotic injection for next 10 days and take good rest. We were very happy to have consulted him and followed his advise thoroughly. She was completely fine and the followed up every day. I would highly recommend Swanthana Hospital and Dr. Sudhakar.

This is my 5th visit to this doctor. I have already given a feedback before but want to give a detailed feedback this time.

I had visited the doctor for an inner ear imbalance problem. He is a highly recommended ENT-doctor around Trivandrum. He is the first doctor in Kerala to perform a cochlear implant on an infant. Based on these and based on some family recommendations I decided to meet this doctor. And my experience and my treatment was extremely taken care by Dr John Panikar. He is kind of a very busy doctor but will not take any shortcuts when it comes to treating patients.

Now, coming to his method of giving medication, he is not like other doctors who straight away give medicines. There will be medicines but mainly there will be life style changes also. This is the best thing about a quality doctor. It is rare to see a doctor who hesitates in giving medication. And this approach has worked for me and many others. He figures the root problem. He understands the kind of hectic life we have. A traditional or by-the-book approach does not work.

He is truly a doctor for this era of busy and fast food life. He has a experience of over 20 years now. All a patient has to do is not skip the follow up sessions with him. It is more than a ENT doctor and we can asked questions related to non-ENT also. I have one strong suggestion, please take a appointment and go else you will not get to see him. And his fee is also nominal. Later I moved out of Trivandrum and he gave his personal number and I call him when required.

My suggestion is to visit this doctor for any ENT related issue, be it adult or infant.

prescribed for sinus test(endoscopy) which is charged 1000 rs in his hospital to check whether i am having sinus, even when he can check it just by feeling my sinuses. While prescribing the medicines, i saw 'nasoclear' in the paper and thought 'ok, nasal drops' ,but when the bill came, it was 'nasoclear mist nasal spray' which costs me rs.252 (just for a nasal spray). total expenditure - 350(consultation) + 1000(endoscopy test) + 700(medicines) - for a headache.

doctor and staff at his hospital were very impatient and have no time for patients.

Dr Shivanand was recommended by Dr John Panikar at Santhwana Hospital. I had an excess tissue growth under my arm. I was first afraid if it is cancerous. So I consulted Dr Shivanand and he confirmed it is just a growth and a surgery will be required to remove it. Since I did not have time I asked the doctor if I can delay it. He confirmed it can be delayed and is not life threatening. He said we can do the surgery any time when I am back in Trivandrum.

Before I leave the doctor said the cost and said I will be discharged in one day. Also the hospital has tie-ups with some insurance company so getting cash-less was easy. The approximate cost was Rs 15k.

Dr Shivanand was good in his behaviour and professional. However, I would recommend first to meet Dr John Panikar at Santhwana Hospital and let him decide whom to meet next.