Healthcare expansion plans on track despite slowdown

Undeterred by the economic slowdown, hospital chains in the eastern region, will complete their expansion projects over the next two years.

Healthcare majors such as Calcutta Medical Research Institute (CMRI), BM Birla Heart Research Centre, Medica Synergy Limited (MSL) are on track with expansion plans.B M Birla Heart Research Centre, a super speciality hospital dedicated exclusively to the diagnosis, treatment and research related to cardiovascular diseases, have plans of expanding its reach in the eastern and north eastern regions.

Suyash Borar, chief operating officer of B M Birla stated that the hospitality major would set up 'super' speciality diagnostic centres and hospitals focusing on heart related ailments.

It was looking at tying up with hospitals in the 'critical care unit' segment for offering expertise in the field as well.

It would be setting up 25 diagnostic centres in the east and North East regions, which would provide super speciality treatments, mainly for cardio vascular diseases.

Typically setting up a diagnostic centre would require an amount of Rs 1-2 crore while on the other hand setting up a full-fledged hospital would need an investment of Rs 60-80 crore, informed Borar.

This apart, it was looking at setting up hospitals in Rajarhat (Kolkata), Siliguri and Jaipur.

Land needed for setting up the hospital in Siliguri was in the final stages while the centre at Jaipur would soon be operational, further informed, Borar.

On the other hand, as a part of its expansion strategy, CMRI would be spending close to Rs 100 crore for setting up hospitals in Siliguri and Jaipur.

It would also set up a medical unit in Kolkata offering nursing and paramedical courses, to meet the severe manpower scarcity faced by the healthcare industry, added Barua.

CMRI had already spent close to Rs 15 crore last year for upgrading the physical and medical infrastructure of the hospital by setting up critical care units, operation theatres and revamping of wards.MSL was looking at spending close to Rs 35-Rs 38 crore for setting up hospitals in Orissa, Assam and Bengal.

It already has one hospital in Siliguri. Acquisition of land would be completed by March or April-end, 2009. The expansion strategy was on track and could be completed over the next two years, claimed Roy.