Indian hospital chain Aster DM Healthcare and private equity firms Blackstone and TPG-backed Quality Care India Limited have announced a merger to form Aster DM Quality Care Limited. The new entity will have a combined portfolio of four brands and a network of 38 hospitals, becoming one of the top three hospital chains in India. With a strong presence across south and central India, the merger is expected to bring about substantial revenue growth and expansion opportunities in the healthcare sector.
India's healthcare industry has seen a major influx of investments in recent months, with major players such as Aster DM Healthcare, Dr Agarwal's Healthcare, and Niva Bupa making big moves. The country's focus on elderly care has also led to the announcement of a new senior citizen policy, while the NITI Aayog has laid out its vision for the future of healthcare in India. The UK-India Healthcare Trade Mission has also brought 13 British companies to explore opportunities in the booming Indian industry. However, as the industry grows, concerns for ethical practices have also been raised, with NITI Aayog calling for better regulation and governance.