~Introduces first international hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal~
Bengaluru, 08 January 2024: Indira IVF, India’s largest network of infertility treatment hospitals, has announced its international foray with the inauguration of its hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. This marks the organisation’s first move beyond the Indian borders, setting in motion its next phase of growth with support from global private equity firm EQT that entered as Indira IVF’s majority owner in July 2023. Indira IVF seeks to take its expertise to South-East Asian, Middle-Eastern, European, and African countries.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated one out of every six people globally face challenges in conceiving at some point in their lives, making infertility a widespread concern affecting millions. Fertility issues are prevalent in both developed and developing nations, where high costs, societal stigmatisation, and limited availability of solutions contribute to the challenges. The complexities of infertility, experienced by both men and women, add to its multifaceted nature. This global demand for fertility care spans diverse regions and demographics, underscoring the imperative for comprehensive solutions.
India has been a hub for medical tourism, with a ranking of 10 in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-21 out of the 46 destinations in the world. This has been driven by state-of-the-art facilities, reputed healthcare professionals, financial viability, quick appointments, and accreditation of hospitals. Increasingly more patients have started to visit the country for sexual, reproductive and fertility care. At Indira IVF’s hospitals in India, over 400+ patients from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have visited the country for their infertility treatment.
Speaking on the organization’s international expansion, Mr Nitiz Murdia – Managing Director and Co-Founder of Indira IVF said, “Our vision and mission is eradicating infertility, and as a natural progression, we are actively exploring global markets to expand our services. We have a meticulously structured international expansion strategy in place, with the aim of becoming the leader in every country we enter. Recognising the multifaceted impact of infertility on families, including emotional, financial, and social aspects, we are committed to providing comprehensive solutions that address these challenges. Our pursuit extends beyond borders, driven by a dedication to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families worldwide, transforming our vision into a global reality.”
Commenting on the recent expansion into Nepal, Dr Kshitiz Murdia, CEO & Co-Founder of Indira IVF, stated, “Nepal has witnessed a consistent decline in fertility rates, reaching a low of 1.799 births per woman in 2023, in contrast to India’s 2.0 births per woman reported for 2019-21. As the first organized assisted reproductive technology (ART) player from India entering the country, Indira IVF plans to establish five more clinics nationwide to address the growing demand and provide accessible fertility solutions to families. Much like our approach in India, we aim to be trusted partners for all families seeking to fulfil their parenthood dreams.“
EQT is one of the largest and most active healthcare investors globally and over the past 30 years, the firm has invested more than USD 25 billion in over 200 healthcare companies across every stage of their development, from early-stage life sciences start-ups to global market leaders. After having entered as majority owner in July 2023, EQT aims to leverage its deep healthcare sector expertise and global networks to support Indira IVF in its next phase of growth.
