Chandigarh-based Alchemist Group will invest Rs 1,000 crore in the next 3-4 years to set up a chain of big hospitals (100-150 beds) across the country. Besides setting up the greenfield project, the company is also looking at inorganic growth. The funding for these projects would be a mix of debt and equity.
Speaking to Business Standard, Alchemist Group Chairman K D Singh said, " In the first phase, we are going to spend Rs 1,000 crore for setting up a chain of hospitals. We intend to set up at least 20 hospitals in the country. We are also looking at inorganic expansion, besides the greenfield project. As far as funding is concerned, it would be a mix of equity and debt."
In Punjab alone, the group is planning to have 2-3 hospitals in near future. The company also plans to set up research centre and educational institutes.
Currently the company has one hospital in Panchkula (Haryana). Further, it has appointed Dr P Venugopal, former director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, as chairman-medical division of Alchemist Group.
He will render his expert guidance and mentoring to Alchemist Group for all of its health care initiatives spread across India. Singh said that the rapidly developing and dynamic chain of medical facilities and hospitals countrywide is all set for a major gain under the chairmanship of Venugopal.
"By educating and providing early treatment through modern technology of tele-education and tele-medicine, our aim is to bring world-class facilities at the doorstep of the patient and promote medical tourism," he added.
Further, to cure the growing stress and lifestyle disorders affecting affluent urban Indians, the firm has decided to set up an Ayurveda village in 10 acre near Panchkula. Such centres of healing are present in South India, especially Kerala, but there are none in North. The centre will be ready in about a year’s time.