Indian doctors not keen to leave Apollo

Analysts said, the 350-room hospital's earnings have been relatively disappointing since its inception and its premium pricing strategy and service charges targeting the high-end customer have not found favour with the local market .

By Duruthu Edirimuni

Indian expatriate doctors at Apollo Hospitals prefer to remain in Sri Lanka because of generous salary packages and because patients 'love' them, a hospital source said. "The new owners cannot make sudden changes because the patients are used to the Indian doctors and they themselves do not want them to leave," a member of the Apollo management told The Sunday Times FT.

He said that a vice president from Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (AHEL) visited the Indian doctors in Sri Lanka soon after the ownership changed hands and offered them jobs back in India, but they were cynical about the offer, because the salary packages that they secure here are much bigger.

"Besides they are well rooted and domiciled here. SLIC representatives held a discussion with the Indian doctors and assured them continued employment," he added. Apollo has nearly 50 Indian doctors and 40 local doctors. There are also 75 visiting doctors.

AHEL recently announced sold its 33.22 percent stake in Apollo hospitals, to SLIC which triggered the mandatory offer when it increased its hospital stake from 19.86 percent to 36.07 percent.

Analysts said, the 350-room hospital's earnings have been relatively disappointing since its inception and its premium pricing strategy and service charges targeting the high-end customer have not found favour with the local market, Apollo also does not operate its full bed inventory due to resource limitations.