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Newslaundry
Newslaundry
National
Jisha Surya

Who owns your hospitals? Private equity’s growing grip on Kerala’s healthcare

When Chazhikattu Hospital was set up in Thodupuzha municipality in Idukki district in 1933, health facilities were rare in the area. What began as a nursing home under Dr CK Stephen grew over the years into a reputed private hospital run by his family. The family’s establishment survived for 91 years. Then, in October 2024, it was acquired by the Kozhikode-based Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH).

BMH acquired Chazhikattu for an undisclosed amount in October 2024, just months after the US-based private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR) acquired a controlling stake in BMH. Chazhikattu, now rebranded as Baby Memorial Hospital, serves as one of BMH’s satellite hospitals, with a focus on orthopedic surgery.

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