Columbia Asia, an international hospital chain promoted by US-based investors, has chosen India as the hub for its operations in the region. Its first facility, a community health care hospital, will take off at Hebbal in Bangalore on 11th of July.

The model 75-bedded multi speciality hospital at Hebbal is built on a plot of about 2 acres and has a built-up area of around 70,000 sq. ft. The hospital has 5 operation theatres and will have over 40 doctors and over 175 nursing and paramedical personnel. It follows American standards for medical, nursing and operating protocols.

Columbia Asia is also planning to open two more hospitals in Bangalore before 2007, at an investment of $15 million (excluding the cost of real estate).  Apart from this, The company has already started the process of short-listing 5 more cities in India for its expansion plans over the next 5 years.

Speaking at the launch, Tufan Ghosh, CEO, Colombia Asia Hospital, Hebbal, said, “We have chosen locations in Bangalore keeping in mind the accessibility to our target group of the middle class. We thought that the healthcare needs of North Bangalore was under-serviced, and therefore decided to set up our first facility in Hebbal. The next two hospitals will be in South Bangalore and Yeshwanthpur respectively. Our future geographical spread will be in both Metro A and B class cities throughout India where we see the presence of emerging middle-class.”

Dr. Nanda Kumar Jairam, Group Medical Director, Columbia Asia, speaking on the key differentiators at Columbia Asia, said, “Our practices and processes compare with the best in the world, both in terms of service delivery and medical ethics. We have tapped the local pool of medical talent, as we believe it is as good as the best in the world. Despite being world class, we will be less expensive than the other large private hospitals in the country, because of our unique format.”

Columbia Asia, an international healthcare provider, is the first to enter the healthcare industry in India through the Foreign Direct Investment route. It is also engaged in community based healthcare facilities, including in-patient hospitals, specialty procedure facilities, and outpatient clinics.