Trehan, team shifts camp to Apollo Delhi

Noted cardiologist Naresh Trehan along with his team is joining Apollo Hospitals Delhi on June 4 and has sold his 10 per cent stake in Escorts Hospitals to the Fortis management.

This move is likely to come as a big filip to the Chennai-based Apollo hospital chain's plans to play a dominant role in cardiac care in North India.

Escorts Hospitals, where Trehan worked, had almost three times bigger facilities for cardiac treatment than Apollo. The high profile status of Trehan as a life-saver will also attract patients to Apollo. According to sources, Escorts has nine cardiac operation theatres as against Apollo's three in Delhi. Even if one-third of the senior doctors leave Escorts for Apollo, the resultant increase in patient flow for Apollo could increase tremendously. "More patients means more bed utilisation, extra diagnostic services and on the whole, more business to the hospital," they added. Trehan's team may not be in Apollo's pay-rolls. He has only announced a partnership deal where human expertise can be shared, sources said.

While Trehan and his close associate, Yatin Mehta, director, anaesthesia an d critical care, have already announced their decision, dozens of other doctors may follow suit, it is learnt. "My doctors and our teams are delighted that Apollo has invited us to join hands in forging a partnership. Our dedication to our patients will remain the same and we will be able to continue to treat and care for them in Apollo Hospital", Trehan said.

Apollo Chairman Pratap C Reddy said that Trehan's presence would strengthen the research and cardiac care programmes of his hospitals. "Trehan's inclusion in our able cardiac team is a step forward in bring to Apollo the best practices and people in cardiac care in the region", he said. Fortis spokesperson said that Trehan is the only doctor who has disengaged himself with effect from June 1, 2007 and there was no exodus happening. Apollo sources said that they are willing to accommodate the entire team of Trehan whatever be their size. The exact number of doctors that will move out of Escorts will be known in the next three days, they said.

Trehan said that partnering with Apollo is a unique opportunity to work together and strengthen doctor-driven hospitals. "Our partnership is based on patient value and not shareholder value. Our endeavour is to create a network of medicare establishments. There is no conflict of interest in pursuing Medicity project and partnering with Apollo," he said.