IHH Healthcare plans to significantly increase its hospital bed capacity in India to approximately 10,000 by 2031, driven by existing site enhancements and strategic investments in technology and partnerships, positioning India as a key growth market.
IHH Healthcare is preparing a far larger push into India, saying it expects to lift its operational hospital bed count there to about 10,000 by 2031 from roughly 6,100 now, according to its Indian management and company materials. The move would make India one of the group’s most important growth markets as it looks to deepen its presence across major cities and broaden access to higher-end care.
According to a recent media briefing in New Delhi reported by The Edge Malaysia, Fortis Healthcare managing director and chief executive Ashutosh Raghuvanshi said the expansion would be driven mainly by brownfield projects, or additions to existing sites, with internal cash generation expected to fund most of that work. He said debt would be used for acquisitions, while equity could be raised if needed. IHH’s own company update also said the India plan is aimed at building a more integrated platform across Fortis Healthcare and Gleneagles Hospitals.
Fortis, which is part of IHH’s India network, plans to add about 400 beds this year and expects capital spending of around 700 crore rupees, or about $90 million, The Edge Malaysia reported. The company said its debt-to-Ebitda ratio of 1.08 times leaves room to borrow further if expansion opportunities arise. IHH’s materials also show the group aims to use investments in infrastructure, clinical staff and operations to support long-term demand.
The India strategy comes alongside a broader effort to improve performance across the group. Raghuvanshi said Fortis expects to lift its Ebitda margin by about 1.5 percentage points a year, with the figure eventually moving towards 25% from about 21% to 22% now, although new hospitals may temper that pace. Revenue is projected to grow by more than 15% annually. IHH has also signalled a technology-led push in India, with Business Standard reporting that it wants to expand investment in artificial intelligence, precision medicine, advanced oncology and health-tech start-ups.
International patient traffic remains an important part of the business. Fortis’ oncology centre in Gurugram draws about 30% of its patients from overseas, especially the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia, though conflict in West Asia has recently disrupted some demand, according to The Edge Malaysia. The company is also looking more closely at African markets and Bangladesh as sources of medical travellers. Meanwhile, Fortis has been expanding domestically too, including a 550-bed greenfield hospital project in Lucknow with Ekana Group, underscoring how IHH’s India growth is being built through both new hospitals and partnerships.
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