Chennai :

Apollo Hospitals is taking over the defunct facility of Lifeline Multi-Speciality Hospital in Perungudi, Chennai on a long-term facility lease.

Lifeline Multi-speciality Hospital, Perungudi, a 180-bed tertiary care hospital headed by Dr J. S. Rajkumar, shut down operations over a month ago. According to sources, this facility was making losses. (Lifeline also runs a smaller facility in Kilpauk, Chennai.)

The lease is for 29 years, extendable by another 29 years, said a source close to the deal. Apollo will refurbish this facility and operate it under its brand name. It will bring in its own equipment and staff, said the source.

The new facility will specialise in cardiology, neurology, orthopaedic, critical and trauma care and is expected to start operations in three to four months.

This hospital is expected to strengthen the Apollo group’s presence in South Chennai. Apollo is already setting up a comprehensive cancer care hospital in this region (on Old Mahabalipuram Road) which is expected to start operations by 2015. An Apollo’s women and child care centre is also coming up on the road.

South Chennai, home to several IT companies including Cognizant and Infosys, and residential complexes, is fast developing into a major hub of activity. Hyderabad-based Global Hospitals (formerly Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara Hospital) runs a 250-bed multi-speciality hospital at Shozhinganallur.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Companies / The Hindu Bureau / Chennai, April 01st, 2013