Manipal Hospitals in November said that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Columbia Asia Hospitals Private Limited in India for an undisclosed amount. The transfer of ownership to Manipal Hospitals is expected to be completed post regulatory approvals, said a statement. Commenting on the deal, Ranjan Pai, Chairman, Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), said: “This is the start of an exceptional journey for us and together with Columbia Asia, we are now bigger, stronger and uniquely positioned to meet the growing expectations of the communities we serve across the country.”

Columbia Asia Hospitals commenced operations in India in 2005 in Hebbal, Bengaluru and presently operates 11 hospitals across the country, in Bengaluru, Mysore, Kolkata, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Patiala and Pune. The network comprises over 1,300 beds and 4,000 employees.