Global private equity firm KKR, through its Kerala hospital chain Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH), has acquired a majority stake in Meitra Hospital, Kozhikode for approximately ₹1,000–1,200 crore, marking its third major hospital investment in the state.
Meitra Hospital is a quaternary-care facility with 230 beds, offering advanced services including heart and vascular care, bone, joint and spine care, neurosciences, gastro-sciences, nephro-urology, bone marrow transplant, and cancer immunotherapy.
This acquisition follows BMH’s previous purchase of the 350-bed Chazhikattu Multi Speciality Hospital in Thodupuzha. Reports also indicate BMH is in early discussions to acquire Star Care Hospital in Kozhikode.
KKR’s renewed push into hospital assets is supported by its earlier successful exit from Max Healthcare, which delivered a five-fold return, particularly driving investments in South India.
However, experts and public health observers caution that increased private equity ownership in healthcare may result in higher treatment costs, reduced affordability, and greater commercialisation, concerns that are notable in Kerala, given its strong public health record and high health literacy.
