Apollo Hospitals is actively pursuing acquisitions and new projects to tap into the growing demand for premium healthcare services in India, the world’s most populous country, according to its Managing Director, Suneeta Reddy.
The Chennai-headquartered healthcare giant plans to expand its presence in major urban hubs across India. This includes greenfield projects in northern India, Karnataka, and key cities like Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. “There’s a significant shortage of hospital beds—estimated at about 100,000,” Reddy said in a recent media interview, adding that Apollo aims to add around 3,500 beds over the next three to four years, with a strong focus on northern India. The company’s goal is to establish market leadership in strategic cities.
Rising affluence among Indian citizens is fueling demand for top-tier healthcare and wellness services, attracting substantial investor interest. With roughly 8,000 operational beds as of December 31, Apollo is looking to maintain its leading position as major players like Blackstone Inc., KKR & Co., and the Adani Group make inroads into the healthcare space.
According to a report by Grant Thornton and the Association of Healthcare Providers (India), nearly $15 billion has been invested in India’s healthcare sector since 2022.
As part of its growth strategy, Apollo is set to invest $29 million in building a state-of-the-art cancer centre. The company is prioritizing oncology, cardiology, neurology, and preventive healthcare as its core areas of focus. Reddy also highlighted that Apollo’s digital health and pharmacy divisions are expected to see 20% annual growth, further supported by the company’s new health insurance offerings.
