Apollo Hospitals to raise Rs 1,000 crore for expansion

Apollo Hospitals Group will raise up to Rs 1,000 crore through a rights issue and private equity investment to expand its hospital network and specialty clinics across the country. The group plans to complete fund-raising in the next few months.

The group runs 55 hospitals under a listed entity and has a network of clinics, which are managed  through a wholly-owned subsidiary. “We plan to raise up to Rs 500 crore through a rights issue for expansion of  hospitals and another about Rs 500 crore from private equity investors for the clinics,” said Sangita Reddy, joint managing director of Apollo Hospitals Group.

Reddy also denied a rift between promoters of Apollo Hospitals  and Malayasia-based IHH Healthcare over the latter’s acquisition of  two hospital chains in India.

In recent months IHH Healthcare acquired Continental Hospitals and Global Hospitals.

IHH Healthcare holds 10.85 percent stake in Apollo Hospitals but does not have a board seat.

“There is no big fight between us. We are looking at ways to collaborate,” she stated in response to query on tensions between the two groups.

On Wednesday the group launched four diabetes care clinics in Mumbai. The clinics are run in partnership with drug maker Sanofi which owns 20 percent stake in the venture. Sanofi which makes insulin and other anti diabetes products already runs a patient support and  counselling programme for diabetic patients.

Apollo  group had announced it would set 150 clinics by 2015-end but has set up 38 clinics till now. Gagan Bhalla, CEO of Apollo Sugar Clinics said the group was looking at expansion in the Gulf region.

Reddy said she was also exploring partnerships with hotel and restaurant chains to raise awareness and introduce sugar free menus and also tie ups with technological partners.