Dabur promoter Burmans enter healthcare, partner UK firm

The promoter of FMCG major Dabur India, the Burman family is foraying into healthcare space in the country and has formed a joint venture with founders of UK-based 'Healthcare At Home' with plans to invest around Rs 200 crore.

The Burmans will hold 65% stake in the joint venture company -- Health Care At Home India -- and the rest will be with Gareth Jones and Charles Walsh, the founders of Healthcare At Home (HAH), UK.

"Healthcare is a sector in which we have a heritage and great interest, it is a sector in which India is at its early stages of growth and we are keen to invest aggressively in this sector," Gaurav Burman, a member of the family, told PTI.

As part of its operations in the managed healthcare space, the JV will work with corporate hospitals and doctors offering homecare services in oncology, pulmonology, post-operative care, critical care and palliative care.

"We believe that this venture will not only be successful but will have a beneficial influence on the healthcare industry in India," he added.

While he did not disclose the financial details, according to sources the joint venture company will be investing over Rs 200 crore in establishing a pan-India presence over the next two to three years.

Beginning from Delhi-NCR, the company plans to expand to other Indian cities and hopes to have a pan-India presence within 2-3 years. The JV would also be adding other services such as maternity and aged care.

Commenting on the new JV, Gareth Jones said: "Charles and I are hugely excited about the potential for high quality, patient-focused homecare services in India."

Over the past 16 years, HAH has been involved with developing and providing innovative, patient-centric homecare services in the UK, Europe and Australia.