Apple Hospitals was launched in 1994 by a small group of like-minded people from the medical fraternity. Dr. Ashok Bhupali, a well known cardiologist, found an overwhelming need to form such a diagnostic centre; as during those days patients from Kolhapur and surrounding districts had to travel to far off places like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore even for primary diagnostic investigations and spend a lot of money. DR. Kiran Patankar, an expert sonologist, joined him and the organization initiated its humble beginning in a small rented 640 sq. ft. place, at Bhausingji Road, Kolhapur. They formed a Private limited company with the help of 50 medical professionals.
Beginning with a B&W Ultrasound Machine GE RT-3200, initially they concentrated fully on Ultrasonography and 2-D Echocardiography. The aim was to develop a diagnostic center with the BEST & THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY. Adding newer gadgets in a phased manner persuaded the objective.
The encouraging support & overwhelming response by the medical fraternity and the general public encouraged the founders to change the constitution from a private limited to a Public Limited Company in April 1997.
Today the company has more than 450 shareholders. Almost all shareholders belong to the medical fraternity, as by constitution, the shareholding is open only for the medical professionals.
The mission of providing highest quality services to medical professionals & most cost competitive service to the patients & the society was taken up. Therefore the Directors decided to pursue the task of availing the best and the latest technology and periodically kept on adding new diagnostic instruments such as, whole body colour doppler Philips HDI UM –9, and Marquets MAX-1 stress test including 24 hour Holter monitoring system.
In 1997, a new premises of 15000 sq. ft. was purchased in the important business area of Shahupuri, Kolhapur. This enabled the company to add newer high-end diagnostic equipments to establish its claim as a” complete diagnostic centre”.
300MA X-RAY (GE.USA) with II & CR(Agfa), 64Slice Multiscanner Cardiac CT (Siemens) and Colour Doppler Echocardiography SYSTEM V was added in a phased manner.
A computerized pathology department was also set up, with all ultra modern equipments viz. to complete the portfolio. Within first 6-7 years only Apple had equipped itself with all the ultra modern technology diagnostic instruments to serve the medical fraternity and the society.
The quality services provided by “APPLE” were highly appreciated by the doctors & the patients as well. The response & faith shown by the medical fraternity & the society helped the company to venture in to even more sophisticated & prime diagnostic gadgets.
In April 2002, ‘APPLE’ installed World’s Best whole body magnetic resonance system 1.5 Tesla SIEMENS MRI - SYMPHONY MAESTRO CLASS.
In September 2002, one more World’s best – 3D/4D Real-time Anomaly scanner, Voluson 730 expert series Colour Doppler -(GE ) for the detection of the congenital foetal anomaly.
June 2004 was special for APPLE, as the dream project of Chairman & Managing Director of Apple, DR. Ashok Bhupali, became a reality, with setting up of modern highly equipped Cardiac Hospital, ‘APPLE HEART INSTITUTE’.
India’s first & the most advanced First Digital Flat Panel Cath Lab –AXIOM-ARTIS DFC+(SIEMENS) was installed. Highly experienced cardiologists, medical and paramedical staff, cathlab technicians joined this project.
Eminent Cardiologists from Kolhapur, Pune, Miraj and vicinity are performing Cathlab procedures.
As per Apple’s main motto to bring highest technology in affordable cost to the masses, our Cathlab project is also designed. Apple offers lowest charges (only Rs. 8000/-) for Angiography’s package. Apple proudly announces this distinction, as the only company offering this rate all over India.
Encouraging response from all corners of the society & medical practitioners helped Apple to commission the Cardiac Surgery Department, with full time resident cardiac surgeon, cardiac anesthetist, & the supporting staff.
Today two cardiac surgeons, two anesthetists, well-experienced perfusionist, trained cardiac OT and I.T.U. staff, run the department.
History Of Apple Heart Institute
The Department started with only a 2-D echocardiography machine at the time of inception of APPLE, in 1994.Today this department has became one of the leading departments of the hospital .It has developed itself into a fully functional department with complete facilities for non-invasive diagnosis. The department of cardiology in the diagnostic wing is well equipped with all kinds of technical gadgets for the diagnosis of various heart ailments such as most advanced State of the Art Colour Dopplers for echocardiography ,Stress test,12 Lead Computerized E.C.G & A Holter monitoring system.
