Ranbaxy promoted healthcare Company, Fortis Healthcare plans to set up a medicity in Gurgaon, and another 28 hospitals by 2010. The group will invest Rs 1,800 crore on the project.

Shivinder Mohan Singh, Fortis managing director and chief executive officer said, “In the next three years, our plan is to become a national player from a north India-centric player, with 12 hospitals at present across 7 states. For this purpose, we intend to have 40 hospitals under the Fortis group across 14 states by 2010.”

The group will invest Rs 800 crore on the medicity project at Gurgaon, while the remaining funds will be intended for establishing or developing 28 hospitals.

It may be commented that Dr. Naresh Trehan who leave Fortis-run Escorts hospital in recent times over disputes with the management, is also establishing a big medicity project in Gurgaon.

The total expenditure for the growth at Fortis that comprises management deals and acquirements, greenfield plants could be to the tune of half a billion dollars. Out of which, the company’s involvement would be about Rs 1,000 crore, he stated.

“Presently, the company operates 12 hospitals, of which four were acquired; four under management contract and similar number are own-developed facilities. Going forward, we intend to maintain this ratio,” Singh said.

The group eyes western and southern parts of India market by the end of this current fiscal (2007). Post-expansion, the company is aiming to have 7,000 beds, treat 17.5 lakh patients and carry out two lakh operations and surgeries yearly.