The healthcare sector in India is growing fast. The sector is currently estimated to be worth US$ 65 billion and is expected to reach US$ 100 billion by 2015, according to the rating agency Fitch. The growth in the sector comes due to- increasing population, growing lifestyle-related health issues, economic treatment, rising incomes, government initiatives, etc.
India is the first country to have a large number of multinational healthcare providers. This rapidly developing industry in India has led to a qualitative shift in patient demands. This has resulted in centers of medical excellence developing and acquiring the latest medical equipment to treat their domestic and international patients.
Due to the development in the rural areas, people even in the villages are now become more conscious about their health issues. They are opting for more health benefits for safe and diseases free existence. This will create huge investment opportunities in the sector.
Opportunities for investment in Healthcare
Healthcare infrastructure: A huge amount of private capital will be required in the coming years to meet infrastructure needs of healthcare in India. An additional 2 million beds are required for India to bridge the gap and prepare for demand estimations in 2025. The government is expected to contribute only 15-20 per cent of the total, providing a vast opportunity for private players to fill the gap.
Diagnostic & Pathology Services: High cost difference in India allows for outsourcing of pathology and laboratory tests by international hospital chains
Telemedicine: There is a vast opportunity for investment in telemedicine as it provides rural areas access to better quality healthcare.
Medical tourism: Medical tourism in India has also received a boost with the arrival of patients from different countries. According to industry estimates, the market size of medical tourism is estimated to be around US$ 2.5 billion and is growing at over 25 per cent per annum. Hence, create enormous investment opportunities in India.
Contract Research: Contract research is a rapidly growing segment in the Indian health care industry. Foreign players are entering into contract research to reduce their operational and clinical cost.
Health Insurance: Increasing healthcare cost and burden of new diseases along with low government funding has raised the demand for health insurance coverage. Less than 15 per cent of the Indian population is covered through health insurance. With the increasing demand for affordable quality healthcare in India, the penetration of health insurance is poised to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Major Growth Drivers
- 100 per cent FDI is permitted for all health-related services under the automatic route.
- Lower tariffs and higher depreciation on medical equipment.
- Income tax exemption for five years to hospitals in rural areas, Tier II and Tier III cities.
- Increasing penetration of health insurance.
- High-growth in medical tourism.
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