Multi-speciality hospital Medanta commences operations

One of India's largest multi-specialty hospitals, promoted by renowned cardiologist, Dr Naresh Trehan has commenced operations. Will this Medicity bring in a new model of healthcare in India? CNBC-TV18's Aakansha Sethi finds out.

Medanta is the medicity promoted by renowned cardiologist Dr Naresh Trehan. This is the same multi-speciality hospital over which Dr Trehan had the much talked about fallout with Shivinder Singh's Fortis Hospital. Spread over 43 acres, and with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, this is the largest medicity in India,. Once it is fully operational, it will have 1,250 beds, 45 operating theatres, and over 20 specialities. It will also be one of the largest hospitals in the world.

Naresh Trehan, Chairman, Global Healthcare, says, "The focus is on patient care as well as research, so that new therapies for the Indian gene pool can be developed."

But will this world-class care be affordable? Yes, he says. "Prices will be 15-20% lower because of economies of scale."

Currently, top doctors consult at various private hospitals, but Medanta will demand exclusivity. "We have been lucky to get leaders in every field. Doctors will get the infrastructure etc at one place, which will give doctors time for research and teaching," Trehan added.

Medanta will invest another Rs 300-500 crore for a medical school and a research institute. The medicity is owned by Global Healthcare, in which Dr Trehan has a 54.84% holding. Construction firm Punj Lloyd holds 17.2% while Avenue Capital holds 27.96%. Global Health had also raised Rs 500 crore as debt earlier this year, funds that will be invested for expansion of the hospital.

This Rs 1,000 crore project is one of the largest hospitals in the world. It plans to combine state-of-the-art technology and medical expertise to provide affordable healthcare in India. Medanta is also planning to set up a medical school and research institute which should be up and running next year.