Is Silicon City turning Medical City?

Is Silicon City turning Medical City?
Hospitals Plan Expansion, Gear Up To Bring The World To Your Feet
The Times of India

Bangalore: The city’s healthcare industry has been keenly tracking the bulging waistlines and soaring incomes of its working population. After a five-year lull, at least five major private hospitals are expanding their services at a cost of several crores.

Consider these: Narayana Hrudayalaya, spearheaded by cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Devi Prasad Shetty, is planning a health city. Wockhardt Hospital and Heart Care Institute plans to triple its existing facility. Manipal Hospital has acquired the Bangalore Children’s Hospital and plans two more secondary care centres in West and North Bangalore. And Apollo Hospitals, which has expanded to more than 35 hospitals across the globe, is also looking at Bangalore.

“These facilities and investments are not something organisations have planned overnight,’’ says R Basil, director and CEO, Manipal Hospital. “We have been planning an expansion within the city for over three years. We are even planning for one or two years later near the new airport. The primary reason is overcrowded wards and ICUs for some years now,’’ he adds.

“Those in the corporate sector travel abroad frequently. They look at facilities there and ask for the same here. We are forced to upgrade our services,’’ says Vishal Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Hospitals.

Experts like Dr Shetty believe these facilities will increase accessibility and make them affordable. “Years ago, when I started the hospital outside the city, people thought I was crazy. I am going in for a health city because there is a huge need. We will be able to fill our beds. With these numbers, we will be able to get a substantial discounts on equipment and drugs. Plus, with competition, the rates will come down.’’

CAPSULES

Narayana Hrudayalaya has plans for a Rs 1,000-crore health city.After the inauguration of the orthopaedic hospital with 500 beds on Friday, the hospital will open centres for international patients, cancer and eye care. Wockhardt Hospital will triple its facilities by opening a new hospital at Bannerghatta at an estimated Rs 150 crore. It would be a critical care centre for cardiology, orthopaedics, neurology and gynaecology. Manipal Hospitals has acquired Bangalore Children’s Hospital and plans new facilities in the North and West of the city. It will upgrade facilities at its Airport Road centre and replicate the facilities soon near the new international airport.

City hospitals on expansion mode

Bangalore: Hospital expansion plans are factoring in the city’s medical needs. Narayana Hrudayalaya’s health city will be a combination of the present hospital with an international hospital, orthopaedic hospital, children’s hospital, eye hospital and cancer care centre which will take the bed strength to 5,000. With a Rs 1,000-crore investment in phases, it is also building a 300-room hotel for patients’ relatives.

Wockhart Hospital and Heart Care Institute has invested Rs 150 crore to open another multispeciality critical care centre at Bannerghatta. Manipal Hospital will scale up its facility on Airport Road from a tertiary care centre to a quaternary care facility. The investment for this, according to Manipal’s financial estimates, is close to Rs 70 crore.

Sources say it wouldn’t be long before Reliance also enters the growing market. “Why not?’’ asks Dr Shetty, adding, “While research predicts a 47% increase, I think it would be over 200%. I don’t think my fraternity will disagree.’’

Unlike some Western countries which have managed to eradicate diseases like measles, polio and leprosy, we still battle them. We have also have the dubious distinction of being the world’s diabetes capital. Heart diseases occur in Indians ten years younger than their counterparts in the West. “But people today, particularly those in the middle-income group, can afford to pay for quality treatment. That makes all the difference,’’ says R Basil, director and CEO, Manipal Hospital.

Wockhardt will stay with its image of critical care and corporate health management. “We have been known as a hospital that treats people in advanced stages of heart diseases. We will continue to focus on cardiology, orthopaedics, neurology and women’s health care,’’ says Vishal Bali, CEO, Wockhardt Hospitals.