Hyderabad: Dr Kodela Siva Prasad Rao had a very chequered career when he was chairman of the Basava-tarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute for 12 years. He was the founding chairman of the hospital from 1988 to 2010 and was removed by Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu as there were reports of discrepancies in the purchase of equipment. A surgeon by profession, he was brought into the hospital by Telugu Desam founder N.T. Rama Rao.
A senior doctor explained, “The founders could sense that all was not well and there were bribes being taken for purchasing medical equipment. There were issues which led to bickering from time to time. For this reason, he was removed and made a member of the board.”
Actor Nandmuri Balakrishna was made the chairman of the hospital.
A senior doctor explai-ned, “Dr Kodela Siva Prasad was a very vicious person and had the capability to make life miserable for those who didn’t listen or do what he wanted. Those who objected were shown the door.”
Many of them are silent and don’t want to talk much about him as he has died a tragic death but the silence also exudes a reli-ef for those who have sta-yed back and fought him.
