In a fragmented and highly competitive Indian diagnostics market, Dr Lal Pathlabs has held its own on the back of a growing pan-India network, a scalable hub-and-spoke model and, most importantly, a strong brand. India’s oldest private diagnostics company, however, took its time expanding its network since it first set up a clinical laboratory in Delhi in 1951.
Back then, private pathology clinics were rare and most people visited government hospitals for tests. “In the 1950s, when my father managed our laboratory, it used to get four-five patients a day and by the 1970s, the number increased to 30.
Back then, private pathology clinics were rare and most people visited government hospitals for tests. “In the 1950s, when my father managed our laboratory, it used to get four-five patients a day and by the 1970s, the number increased to 30.