The proposal by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, a billionaire realtor and Maharashtra minister, to rename KEM Hospital in Mumbai has ignited significant controversy within the medical community and among its alumni. As KEM approaches its centenary in 2026, the debate highlights ongoing issues in public healthcare in Maharashtra, where only 20% of patients opt for public hospitals, the lowest in India. Established in 1926, KEM was the first hospital in India staffed by non-official members of the Indian medical profession, breaking the British monopoly on medical education and care. The alumni have published a historical compendium detailing the hospital's founding and achievements, emphasizing its role in decolonization and public health. Critics argue that renaming the hospital will not resolve systemic issues plaguing public healthcare, with calls for the government to establish new centers of excellence instead. The situation reflects a broader trend of diminishing contributions from Mumbai's wealthy elite towards public health initiatives, contrasting sharply with the collaborative spirit that led to KEM's establishment.