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Healthcare Sector

Manipal Hospitals Seeks CCI Approval to Acquire Sahyadri Hospitals in Rs 6,400 Crore Deal

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Manipal Hospitals has approached the Competition Commission of India (CCI) seeking approval to acquire Pune-headquartered Sahyadri Hospitals in a deal estimated to be worth between ₹6,200 crore and ₹6,400 crore. The transaction involves purchasing up to 100% equity in Sahyadri Hospitals Pvt Ltd through multiple tranches, according to the regulatory filing. Though the official deal value has not been disclosed, industry insiders peg the acquisition around ₹6,400 crore. The seller, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, a Canada-based global investor, had acquired a majority stake in Sahyadri Hospitals in 2022. In a joint statement, both healthcare entities noted that the transaction is unlikely to impact competition in any significant way, allowing the CCI flexibility in defining relevant markets. They emphasized that the deal poses no appreciable adverse effect on competition (AAEC) in the Indian healthcare sector. Manipal Hospitals, headquartered in Bengaluru, recently confirmed that it had signed definitive agreements with Ontario Teachers’ for the takeover. The move is a significant step toward expanding Manipal’s reach in western India. With the acquisition of Sahyadri’s 11 hospitals located across Pune, Nashik, Ahilya Nagar, and Karad, Manipal’s total hospital count will rise to 49, with a combined capacity of approximately 12,000 beds — placing it among the largest hospital networks in the country. Commenting on the development, Dilip Jose, MD & CEO of Manipal Health Enterprises, said, “This acquisition aligns with our goal of enhancing access to quality healthcare across India. Supported by our stakeholders, including Temasek, we look forward to serving a broader patient base.” Ranjan Pai, Chairman of Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), added that the expansion will significantly bolster the group’s presence in Maharashtra and western India. Manipal Hospitals is backed by Singapore-based investment firm Temasek, which manages a portfolio valued at around USD 324 billion as of March 2025. Ontario Teachers’, with assets totaling USD 266.3 billion as of December 2024, exits Sahyadri after helping it become one of Maharashtra’s leading hospital chains with over 1,400 beds. This strategic acquisition marks a major milestone in Manipal’s ongoing mission to build a truly pan-India healthcare network. Source: PTI

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Gujarat Government Announces Rollback of Decision to Increase MBBS Fee in Medical Colleges, Details Here

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The Gujarat government has announced a rollback of its recent decision to significantly increase fees for MBBS courses in medical colleges run by the Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society (GMERS). This move comes in response to widespread protests across the state against the steep fee hike. State government spokesperson and health minister Rushikesh Patel made the announcement, assuring that a new circular with revised fees for the 13 GMERS medical colleges will be issued soon. Speaking to media persons in Gandhinagar, Patel emphasized that the government is committed to making decisions in the best interests of students and urged families to remain calm as they work on providing fee benefits through various schemes. The rollback decision follows intense pressure from multiple quarters, including students, parents’ associations, the Indian Medical Association (IMA), and political opposition. The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) had taken a strong stance against the fee hike, with state Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil threatening protests at all levels if the increase was not reversed. The original fee hike, announced on June 28, had raised annual fees for state and all-India quota seats by 66% from ₹3.3 lakh to ₹5.5 lakh. Management quota fees saw an even steeper increase of 87%, from ₹9.07 lakh to ₹17 lakh, while NRI quota fees were bumped up by 13% from $22,000 to $25,000 per annum. Critics argued that such substantial increases contradicted GMERS’s original mission of providing affordable medical education and strengthening Gujarat’s healthcare sector. The IMA’s Gujarat chapter had written to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, expressing concern that the fee hike would make medical education nearly impossible for poor and middle-class students. GMERS, established 14 years ago, operates 13 medical colleges across the state with a total of 2,100 seats. Of these, 75% are reserved for the state quota, 10% for the management quota, and 15% for the NRI quota, with 75 seats allocated to the all-India quota. This is not the first time GMERS has faced backlash over fee increases. In 2023, a similar hike was retracted following protests.

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Budget 2024: Healthcare Sector Urges Government to Boost Public Health Spending

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The healthcare sector in India is advocating for increased public health spending in the upcoming Budget 2024, urging the government to raise public health expenditure above 2.5 percent of the GDP. The industry is also calling for an Ayushman Bharat-like scheme specifically for the middle class to address healthcare needs more comprehensively. Key Recommendations: Increase Public Health Expenditure: The Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) has emphasized the need for the government to boost healthcare spending to over 2.5 percent of GDP. This increase is seen as crucial for enhancing infrastructure, addressing demand and supply challenges, and improving overall social insurance. Expand Healthcare Facilities: Abhay Soi, president of NATHEALTH and chairman of Max Healthcare Institute, highlighted the necessity for two billion square feet of advanced healthcare facilities. Expanding healthcare infrastructure in smaller cities and advancing digital healthcare services are also top priorities. Comparison with Other Countries: According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, healthcare expenditure by the Centre and state governments reached 2.1 percent of GDP in FY23. In comparison, OECD data shows that the US had the highest health expenditure to GDP ratio at 16.6 percent in 2022, while India’s was at 2.9 percent. Middle-Class Healthcare Scheme: Industry leaders, including PD Hinduja Hospital CEO Gautam Khanna, suggested implementing a healthcare scheme similar to PM-JAY for the middle class. This would require allocating 2.5-3.5 percent of GDP to healthcare to ensure broader coverage and affordability. Policy Reforms and Innovations: Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the healthcare sector to spur growth and productivity. The industry is also advocating for easing compliance burdens, promoting medtech innovation, rationalizing the goods and services tax (GST), and reviewing the health cess on medtech products. As the first Budget of Modi 3.0 approaches, the healthcare sector’s recommendations highlight the critical need for increased investment and policy support to enhance India’s healthcare infrastructure, improve access to quality healthcare, and ensure affordability for all citizens. Boosting public health spending is seen as a vital

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Max Health Shares Dip 4% as NSE Refuses Fine Waiver for Flouting Board Norms

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News on health

Max Healthcare Institute Ltd faced a setback in its stock value as shares dipped by 4.4% to Rs 782 per share in Thursday’s intraday trading. This decline followed the National Stock Exchange’s decision not to waive off a fine amounting to Rs 2,36,000 imposed on the hospital chain. The refusal by NSE to grant the waiver came after Max Healthcare’s request for leniency regarding a fine imposed last year in November. The fine was levied for non-compliance with the board composition requirements outlined under regulation 17(1) of the SEBI Regulations, 2015. Despite this setback, Max Healthcare is continuing its growth trajectory with a significant investment plan. The company is gearing up to invest Rs 2500 crore in developing hospitals in Lucknow, with a particular focus on expanding its footprint in Uttar Pradesh. Max Healthcare had earlier acquired the 550-bed Sahara Hospital in Lucknow for Rs 940 crore, a move aimed at solidifying its position as a key player in the private healthcare sector in the state. The investment plan includes doubling the group’s capacity by adding 4,200 beds over the next four to five years, representing an investment of over Rs 5,000 crore. This expansion initiative aligns with Max Healthcare’s vision to enhance its presence and service offerings in the region. The acquisition of Sahara Hospital, now renamed Max Super Specialty Hospital, marks the beginning of Max Healthcare’s strategic expansion plans. The hospital, situated in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, boasts 285 operational beds and occupies a 27-acre land area. Despite the recent stock price dip, Max Healthcare remains a significant player in the healthcare sector, managing 17 hospitals with over 3,500 beds and employing more than 4,800 clinicians across various locations including the Delhi National Capital Region, Mohali, Bathinda, Dehradun, and Mumbai. At 11:48 AM, Max Healthcare was trading 3.40% lower at Rs 790.20 per share. The stock has shown resilience over the past month, gaining 8.12%, and has demonstrated strong growth, rallying 36.66% over the last six months. Currently, it trades at a price-to-earnings multiple of 138.88.  

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