Fortis plans 2nd speciality hospital in Kolkata

Fortis Malar Hospitals Ltd. | Hospital & Healthcare Services | Healthcare | BSE: 523696 | NSE:

10 Jun 2011 Evaluate

Fortis is finalizing plans to set-up its second multi-specialty hospital in Kolkata and roll out a chain of satellite facilities across the state. While finer details are still under the wraps, Fortis wants to expand in the state with a hub-and-spoke model. It is scouting for land as well as any ready infrastructure for acquisition in the North and Eastern fringes of the city and evaluating Asansol, Siliguri and South 24- Parganas for the smaller facilities.

The proposed second facility in the city will have a capacity of around 150-200 beds and will see investment upwards of Rs. 60 crore, plus the spent on acquiring the plot. The smaller hospitals will have a capacity of around 100-150 beds. The potential for expansion in Bengal is huge since the market is highly under-served and people are aspiring for quality healthcare. Fortis is evaluating options in the city’s upcoming mega township at Rajarhat and adjoining areas for the proposed unit.

Fortis currently runs a 400-bed multi-specialty hospital on EM Bypass and a 71-bed specialized kidney hospital in the city, both of which were acquired from Wockhardt in 2009. The Rs. 150-crore EM Bypass hospital became operational last October and is clocking 70-75% occupancy rate.