Zydus acquires Columbia Asia’s hospital in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: Zydus Hospitals on Tuesday acquired the Columbia Asia Hospital Private Limited’s hospital facility in Ahmedabad. Led by the pharma veteran Pankaj Patel, Zydus Hospitals will convert the newly acquired property into an exclusive and world-class cancer care centre. Although the deal size was not disclosed, market sources pegged the transaction value at Rs 85 crore.

The 99-bed hospital of Columbia Asia is spread across 1 lakh square feet area and was instituted in August 2014. The property at Hebatpur in Thaltej area is in close vicinity of Zydus Hospitals’ 550-bed super specialty hospital — one of the largest in western India — near Sola Bridge on SG Highway.

With ready infrastructure, the acquisition will enable Zydus Hospitals in setting up an international standard cancer care centre with the latest technology and infrastructure just adjacent to its hospital in the city.

“As a group, we have always believed in offering the very best in terms of technology, innovation, quality and patient-centric services. We believe that, with this new addition in our fold, we will be able to expand our operations rapidly and offer comprehensive cancer care to the people of Gujarat,” said Pankaj Patel, founder, Zydus Hospitals. The cancer care facility will be ready within next six months.

According to Zydus Hospitals, the centre will be a state-of-the-art one with advanced technology for diagnostics and treatment in a multi-departmental, integrated approach. The focus will be on the use of latest guidelines and protocols along with the appropriate use of technology for affordable and ethical cancer care. The availability of the advanced genetics and molecular laboratory will fortify the fight against cancer.

“The management has decided to exit from operations and hand over the unit to Zydus Hospitals on October 30. This decision comes after much deliberation at the highest level, taking in the best interest of all relevant parties,” Columbia Asia Hospital said in a statement.

“We have made detailed plans to relocate as many of our Ahmedabad colleagues into the hospitals we operate in other geography, and for those who have chosen to stay in Ahmedabad to be duly compensated,” the hospital chain further added.