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Mint
20 minutes ago
- Mint
Aster DM sets sights on pan-India expansion after merger with Quality Care
Aster DM Healthcare's merger with Blackstone-backed Quality Care India Ltd (QCIL) was an inflection point for the hospital chain as it embarks on an ambitious expansion plan, deputy managing director and promoter Alisha Moopen told Mint in an interview. The Bengaluru-based hospital group aims to expand its footprint across the country and become a pan-India healthcare leader in the next ten years, said Moopen. However, even as the company explores further inorganic opportunities, it is treading cautiously. 'It has to make business sense…transactions are hard to execute because Indian markets have become so hot," said Moopen. 'But if there's a great asset at the right price…of course, we'll look at it," she added. Read more: Apollo Hospitals: Simplifying corporate structure could lead to rerating The merged entity Aster DM Quality Care Ltd, jointly controlled by Aster's promoters and Blackstone, is in the fray for the acquisition of Canada's Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP)-owned Sahyadri Hospitals, according to media reports citing sources. The Pune-based hospital has also reportedly received bids from Manipal Hospitals, Sweden-based investment firm EQT, and Malaysia-based IHH Healthcare. While Moopen declined to comment on the Sahyadri bid, she said that Aster would focus on the brand, reputation, trust and valuation of an asset when evaluating an acquisition. '…for us, we are all about sustainable growth," she said. Aster DM announced in late November 2024 that it was merging with QCIL in a deal that will value the combined entity at $5.08 billion ( ₹43,000 crore). The merger is expected to conclude in the next six months. The deal catapulted the merged entity among the top three hospital chains in India by bed size. The combined entity will have 10,301 beds, doubling from Aster DM's current bed capacity of 5,159. It also opens up new markets for Aster, which already has a strong footprint in Kerala and Karnataka, in new states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu. 'The transaction is an inflection point for the organization, and it's something which we believe will really set us up to become the gold standard for healthcare here," said Moopen, adding that the hospital chain, which has its roots in Dubai, is 'probably one of the youngest [healthcare] brands in this country". 'We were spending a lot of time just setting up the core and setting the foundation. But now hopefully with this merger, we can really sort of have that exponential growth," said Moopen. Expansion plans The merged entity has plans to grow organically through greenfield and brownfield projects in south and central India where Aster DM and Quality Care have strongholds. The total planned bed addition is over 3,300 beds over the next three years. However, growing pan-India and entering new markets is more challenging, said Moopen. 'It takes a good five to ten years to understand a new market," she said, adding that it's all about understanding regional nuances. However, making inroads through an already established player, via an acquisition or a merger, offers up an opportunity to meaningfully scale up in new markets, she added. 'When the merger was happening, that was one of the biggest advantages we saw. Because it opens up three, four new states for us," said Moopen. '...we said, this is great. We don't have to go in from scratch." Read more: Inside Cipla's battle with 'superbugs' as antibiotic resistance rises in India The company plans to grow organically for the next three to four years in its core markets through strategic bed capacity addition, with a total capex outlay of ₹1,878 crore. However, the company is already eyeing the North India market and hopes to start making inroads in the next two to three years. 'Whether we plan that organically or inorganically will depend on what happens in the next couple of years in terms of the opportunities that come up…we are evaluating all aspects," said Moopen. The company plans to fund its organic growth through internal accruals, and will explore raising debt for its inorganic plans, said Moopen. India's private healthcare space is seeing a spree of expansions and consolidation, with major competitors like Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare and Narayana Health announcing large expansion plans for the next four to five years. According to a 2024 report by HSBC Global Research, seven listed hospitals will add 14,000 beds over the course of 3-5 years. Read more: Will Torrent Pharma's big bet on JB Chemicals pay off?


India Today
24 minutes ago
- India Today
Top 5 Seeds That Boost Hair Growth When Infused in Water
Top 5 Seeds That Boost Hair Growth When Infused in Water Smarica Pant Drinking or applying water infused with powerful seeds is an old natural trick. It helps nourish your scalp, strengthen hair roots, and may even speed up hair growth. Soak fenugreek seeds overnight and use the water. Rich in protein and iron, they help reduce hair fall and boost growth. 1. Fenugreek Seeds (Methi) Flax seeds water is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. It keeps hair shiny, reduces breakage, and promotes faster growth. 2. Flax Seeds (Alsi) These seeds are known in Ayurveda for hair strength. Infused water may help darken hair naturally and reduce thinning. 3. Black Sesame Seeds Pumpkin seeds are full of zinc and magnesium. They can help fight hair loss and make hair roots stronger. 4. Pumpkin Seeds Kalonji seeds water helps reduce dandruff and dryness. They are also believed to stimulate new hair growth. 5. Kalonji Seeds (Black Seeds)


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
India establishes first internationally recognised equine disease-free compartment at RVC Centre in Meerut
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): In a significant milestone for India's animal health system and international trade facilitation, the country has established and secured global recognition for its first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC). Recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on July 3, this approved facility at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College, Meerut Cantonment, Uttar Pradesh, marks a major step towards enabling the international movement of Indian sport horses in compliance with global biosecurity and animal health standards. According to the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, with the implementation of robust biosecurity protocols, stringent veterinary surveillance, and adherence to international norms, Indian sport horses from this facility are now eligible to travel and compete abroad. This significantly enhances the prospects of Indian riders and horses in global equestrian competitions, raising India's profile in the international equestrian arena. The compartment also supports the broader development of horse-related activities in the country, including sports, breeding, and high-value equine trade, while strengthening India's biosecurity and disease preparedness framework. 'The EDFC has been officially declared free from Equine Infectious Anaemia, Equine Influenza, Equine Piroplasmosis, Glanders, and Surra. Additionally, India has historically remained free from African Horse Sickness since 2014.' Ministry added Ministry further added that This achievement is the result of close coordination among the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying; the Directorate of Remount Veterinary Services, Ministry of Defence; the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI); and the Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The approval follows the standards outlined in the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, which provides the framework for compartmentalisation--a science-based approach for managing a defined animal subpopulation with a distinct health status, maintained through stringent biosecurity and husbandry practices. The EDFC operates under comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) encompassing disease exclusion protocols, pest control, physical security, hygiene, sanitation, animal health monitoring, waste management, and continuous surveillance, all aligned with international best practices. This recognition underscores India's growing leadership in implementing internationally harmonised, science-based animal health systems that facilitate safe trade and support emerging sectors, such as equestrian sports. Importantly, India is also applying the same compartmentalisation approach to the poultry sector, with the development of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Free Compartments to enable the safe export of poultry products from certified establishments. Together, these efforts reflect a comprehensive national strategy to strengthen biosecurity, promote export readiness, and build resilient animal health systems aligned with global standards. (ANI)