CK Birla Group eyes over 100 fertility clinics in three to four years

A $2.8-billion diversified conglomerate with an established presence across health care, automotive, technology, home, and building sectors, CK Birla Group has a fertile business plan. Pioneers in in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg freezing to fertility testing, its flagship brand Birla Fertility & IVF has been partners in parenthood.

It is now considering expanding its footprint further in fertility clinics across the country to over 100 fertility centres in India and abroad in the next three to four years. The 160-year-old group has had a presence in the health care space for the past 50 years through a network of hospitals in both Delhi and Gurugram.

It also plans to expand its existing hospital network in Delhi-National Capital Region with at least two to three more centres; in other geographies, at least four to five centres.

“Funded by CK Birla Group, Birla Fertility & IVF will help further the group’s long-term commitment to trustworthy health care,” said Avanti Birla, founder, CK Birla Healthcare.

In an interaction with Business Standard, Birla said, “India is home to 28 million couples with fertility-related problems. Nearly one in six married couples faces this. However, every year, only about 1 per cent seeks medical assistance. This is primarily due to a lack of awareness and insufficient access to reliable medical help. The market is both underserved and underpenetrated — not just in India (it is growing at more than 15-20 per cent on-year), but globally as well.”

Infertility rates in the West are estimated to affect about 15 per cent couples, she added. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US estimates that about 1 per cent of all babies born in the US in any year are conceived through IVF. In India, about 1 per cent of patients with fertility issues opt for assisted reproduction.

“In less than two years, we are the fastest-growing IVF brand with a network of 10 centres. By March next year, we will have 25 centres across the country, making us among the largest organised players in the category,” she added.

Egg-freezing services are also offered. “Men and women are increasingly marrying late or choosing to delay starting a family. We help both unmarried men and women, and couples, start a family when they wish to. We also offer oncofertility preservation, including egg freezing, for women undergoing cancer treatment, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation for young girls,” said Birla.

BIRTH OF AN IDEA

• India is home to 28 million couples with fertility-related issues
• Nearly 1 in 6 married couples faces this problem
• Fertility services market growing at 15-20% year-on-year
• Infertility rates in the West are estimated to affect about 15% couples
• Birla Fertility & IVF aims to have 25 centres by March 2023