Manipal Hospitals has a signed an agreement with private equity firm Multiples to buy a 100 per cent stake in Vikram Hospital, making it the group’s tenth hospital in Karnataka’s capital city. This is Manipal’s second acquisition this year. The hospital chain acquired the Indian operations of Columbia Asia Hospitals for Rs 2,100 crore in April, making it the second largest hospital chain in the country after Apollo Hospitals. “There are two greenfield hospitals that are currently under construction and once they are complete in the next 24 months, our network of 12 hospitals with over 2,300 beds would be best placed to provide ease of access and comprehensive care to everyone across this fast growing city (Bengaluru),” said Ranjan Pai, chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG).
The district health department has roped in Karnataka s Manipal Hospital Group for converting the Dhanchatani Primary Health Centre, located on the outskirts of the city about 4km away from Telco, into a hospital.
The government primary health centre, built at a cost of around Rs 5crore three years ago, is yet to be inaugurated.
Health department officials said after elaborate discussions with Manipal Hospital Group, they plan to start the hospital in the next three months.
A section of local residents led by Congress s Kolhan spokesperson Jammi Bhaskar had recently approached health minister Banna Gupta and East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Suraj Kumar demanding the inauguration of the hospital at the primary health centre.