Manipal Hospital sees opportunities in medical tourism even as financial crisis gripped the world.
Dr S C Nagendra Swamy, COO and medical director, Manipal Hospital said, “India’s low cost story is well known and the cost compared to the West is still at one-sixth to one-seventh of those there. There may be a temporary slowdown in patient movement but it is expected to pick up after one or two quarters.”
Manipal Hospital is geared to handle this as we last year (2007) attended to 1,000 patients from 70 countries, he added. Due to a financial crisis and liquidity crunch the hospital has not shelved or slowed down its expansion.
Manipal Hospital is building a 420-bed hospital in Delhi. The hospital is to be opened in April 2009.
“Our cash flow has been planned in advance for expansion. Hence we are confident of sailing through the crisis,” said Nagendra Swamy.
The Manipal Hospital group opened its fourth referral hospital — Dr Malathi Manipal Hospital in the south of the city, in Jayanagar.
The working hospital has been taken on lease and Rs 25 crore invested in enhancing the infrastructure and equipment.
“This facility will focus on peadiatrics, neonatology, general and minimal access surgeries and will help us bring healthcare closer to the people in south Bangalore as the main hospital on Airport Road gets a major portion of patients from south, Nagendra Swamy.
The Dr Malathi Manipal Hospital comprises of 85 beds, three surgical theatres and intensive care units.
