Aadhar Hospital, Kolhapur

Aadhar Group is coming up with their second hospital in Kolhapur

Location: Near Pratibha Nagar in the heart of growing Kolhapur city.

When did construction start: June 2009.

Time of commissioning: November, 2010.

Promoters: It's a JV between Aadhar Hospital of Kolhapur and DM Healthcare. Aadhar Group is founded by a consortium of seven doctors of various specialities. DM Healthcare is a JV between Dr Moopen's Group and IVFA, a premier private equity firm.

Total number of beds: 250.

Other projects of the group: The group has an 80-bed hospital at Manglwar Peth in Kolhapur, which would later be upgraded and transformed into a mother and child centre with some support service for the Pratibha Nagar Hospital. It would offer high-end obstetric care along with IVF and latest treatment in gynaecology.

Number of beds to be commissioned in first phase: 150.

Budget (inclusive of cost of land, construction and equipment): Rs 50 crore.

Type of investment: Equity invested by DM Healthcare in Aadhar Hospital and proportionate debt financing.

Corporate or trust hospital: Corporate.

Type of hospital: Having 30 ICU beds and five OTs, the hospital would be a multi-specialty hospital. In the first phase, technology up gradation and capacity expansion is planned for all existing specialities with addition of gastroenterology, vitreo retinal surgery etc. Second phase consists of addition of 100 bed and cardiology, cardiac surgery. Also linear accelerator and oncology will be introduced.

Any subsidy taken from the Government and what is the arrangement with the Government against that: No.

"We are using solar heaters , STP and architectural design to provide light and ventilation in more than 50 per cent hospital building without central air conditioning" - Dr Ulhas Damale Managing Director Aadhar

About architecture: First phase consists of 1,25,000 sq feet. Architect Shirish Beri has created an optimally functional, and environment-friendly design , which will use the elements of nature to create patient- friendly atmosphere, and all tertiary care facilities under one roof. The design has been created to minimise the load of investment in the patient tariffs.

Reason for choosing Kolhapur: The healthcare market in Kolhapur is a potent market for creating a unit of corporate hospital chain. So far, it has been a highly fragmented market- flooded with standalone centres run by individuals. Around 90 per cent of the hospitals in the city are standalone centres (around 20-50 beds) managed by two or three doctors. Informs Anupam Verma, CEO, DM Healthcare "With 60 per cent of the hospitals in Kolhapur having less than 15 beds, there is a possible indication of consolidation in the market in the next two to three years." Studies also indicate that patients who otherwise go to Pune for high-end treatment are willing to stay back in Kolhapur if high-end treatments are offered in the city. With a high per capita income, the residents are more than willing to welcome a corporate hospital.

According to market reports, there is an acute need to add more critical beds. "Eight per cent beds in hospitals of Kolhapur are reported to be critical care beds, with NICU beds included it is 11 per cent. This is significantly lower than optimal 20 per cent mark for critical care beds in a hospital set up. NICU beds are reported to be three per cent of the total beds in city which is lower than optimal numbers to be present to meet the demand of the city," adds Verma.

Environment-friendly measures: Says Dr Ulhas Damale, Managing Director, Aadhar, "We are using solar heaters, STP and architectural design to provide light and ventilation in more than 50 per cent hospital building without central air conditioning."

Vision: "To work with integrity consistently to achieve highest of standards," says Dr Damale.

Mission: To create world class healthcare infrastructure and expertise in India, especially in underserved markets.

USP of the project: Team work of full-time medical and paramedical healthcare professionals with support from healthcare administrators and financial experts.

Centrally air-conditioned: Around 40 per cent area is air conditioned while light and ventilation is taken care of through design in rest of the area.

Total area of the land: 2.5 acre.

Total square feet area of the hospital: More than 1,25,000 square feet in the first phase.

About Technology that is latest in the area: Every required thing for being recognised as referral centre.

Use of IT: Fully integrated ERP.

Number of clinicians and non-clinicians to be hired: 500 staff.

Full-time or part time consultants: Mix of both. It is around 100 in numbers.

Ways to market it: To reach to the end user directly through awareness programmes, to motivate for preventive health upkeep and to create patient friendly hospital experience.

rita.dutta@expressindia.com