Dr. C. O. Karunakaran, a notable physician, bacteriologist and microbiologist, was the founder of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram.
He was the first Principal of the college and was also the Special Officer appointed for establishing the first medical university in the erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin.
[citation needed] When he returned he improvised the laboratory and in 1948, he was appointed as the Special Officer for establishing the first medical college in the state of Travancore-Cochin at Trivandrum.
[citation needed] He was appointed as the first principal of Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram and Professor of Microbiology.
Realizing his dream for getting maximum international exposure to the students of the college, World Health Organization at his request sent the then DHS of Sweden, Dr. Axel J. Hojer as an expert.
[citation needed] He is the son of Alummoottil Padeettathil Ummini Kunju Channar and Kunjupennu Channatti.