Prathap C. Reddy: Apollo Healthcare’s Doctor for Life

IN THE 1970S, Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy had a thriving cardiology practice in the U.S. It was a letter from his father asking him to do something to improve the lives of the people in India that led him to relocate to what was then Madras (today’s Chennai). What struck Reddy when he returned was the sheer lack of critical healthcare infrastructure in the country. It led him to recommend many patients to go to the U.S. for surgery. In 1979, he lost a 38-year-old man with two children because the patient could not raise the $50,000 needed for the operation. That’s when Reddy decided to build a state-of-the-art healthcare facility, and the first Apollo hospital (named after the Greek god of healing) opened in Madras on Greams Road in September 1983. Reddy was 50 then. Getting the necessary approvals to set up a state-of-the-art hospital during the licence raj was not easy. Reddy made over 60 trips to Delhi. Moreover, import of medical equipment was considered a luxury, and attracted 300% customs duty. Finally, it was a meeting with the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi that helped Reddy get the hospital proposal cleared, paving the path for a sea change in India’s healthcare infrastructure. While Reddy is the founder-chairman, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise is now run by his four daughters — Preetha Reddy, executive vice chairperson; Suneeta Reddy, MD; Sangita Reddy, joint MD; and Shobana Kamineni, promoter-director. The next generation, Preetha Reddy’s son Harshad and Suneeta Reddy’s daughter Sindoori, are also involved in managing the hospital chain. In FY25, Apollo Hospitals recorded the highest-ever net sales of ₹21,794 crore, a 3-year CAGR of 14.1% (FY22-FY25), according to Capitaline data. Consolidated net profit was ₹1,446 crore, a 3-year CAGR of 11.1%. “This performance is testament to the consistent work of our teams across verticals. We continued to grow our brick-and-mortar services even as our digital business saw a positive trend,” says Suneeta Reddy. The core hospital business saw healthy growth, and pharmacies and primary clinics expanded. The digital health platform, Apollo 24/7, is currently on the path to financial break-even. In fact, Apollo is transitioning from a hospital-led network to a holistic healthcare platform — integrating digital and physical services to create a seamless experience for patients. It now has three divisions — healthcare with 73 hospitals across India (10,134 beds); digital health and pharmacy; and diagnostics and retail health. The hospital chain comprises 45 owned, six managed, and 22 day surgery and cradles. It operates over 6,500 pharmacies, 2,500 clinics and diagnostic centres, and 500 telemedicine centres. After a five-year period of consolidation, in May, Apollo announced an ₹8,000-crore expansion plan to add over 4,300 beds in the next few years. The move is expected to support its next phase of growth. “Executing this is a top priority. We are also transforming from a hospital-led network to a holistic healthcare platform,” says Suneeta Reddy. The healthcare chain is commissioning new hospitals in Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR, each a state-of-the-art facility, over the next 12 months. It is not just about increased bed count, but consolidating Apollo’s presence in regions with smart hospitals that can deliver next-gen healthcare with the latest medical technology, optimised workflows, and the capacity to handle complex clinical cases. “The biggest change is making healthcare digital, intelligent, and inclusive with Apollo 24/7,” says Shobana Kamineni. Apollo 24/7 is a single connected platform serving over 200 million users, powered by artificial intelligence (AI), which understands the language and needs of patients. “One of the biggest achievements is proving how technology, data, and human compassion can democratise healthcare,” adds Sangita Reddy. The company is using AI and automation at the back-end to improve efficiency. After investing ₹650 crore in technology, Apollo is using artificial intelligence to predict, prevent, and personalise care at scale. At Apollo 24/7, AI is turning healthcare from reactive to predictive, personalised care. It uses millions of health records and decades of clinical experience to predict risks, manage chronic conditions, and drive prevention. AI has reduced Code Blue emergencies by 80% within Apollo’s hospitals through predictive patient monitoring — at times spotting deterioration hours before a human eye could — leading to saved lives, spared trauma, and average ICU stays being cut by nearly half, says Sangita Reddy. The omnichannel digital healthcare platform has also embedded AI to guide millions of users. One key deployment of AI is in the administrative and clinical documentation process. Apollo now uses AI-powered software to assist with nursing documentation in writing patient charts and creating billing summaries. This gives doctors and nurses more bandwidth to attend to patients. In oncology, conversational AI supports patients and their families through treatment decisions at the Precision Oncology Centre. Last year alone, Apollo 24/7 served over 40 million Indians, many in remote areas who could consult a doctor for the first time ever. “Our AI partnerships are accelerating diagnostics and streamlining clinical workflows. The dual engine of exponential technology and preventive health will define Apollo’s future,” says Sangita Reddy. Another focus area is women’s health backed by Apollo Athenaa, Asia’s first dedicated cancer centre for women. “Athenaa brings together advanced screening, genetic testing, and precision oncology under one roof. It places women at the heart of healthcare,” says Preetha Reddy. “Athenaa was created to ensure that no woman is unseen, unheard or underserved in her cancer journey.” In India, cancer continues to be one of the most urgent health challenges facing women. At Athenaa, AI tools assist in interpreting mammograms and pathology slides. In gynaecology and maternity care, AI-powered systems track foetal and maternal health in real-time, alerting clinicians to risks well before they escalate. Another area where huge progress has been made is in genomics. The Apollo Genomics Institute has completed more than 11,000 genomics consultations across cancer, reproductive health, rare disorders, and preventive care. Preetha Reddy points out that Apollo’s Clinical Intelligence Engine supports doctors by analysing symptoms and suggesting next steps during outpatient consultations. This has proven particularly useful in women’s health, where symptoms are often subtle or atypical. Another major achievement is the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, set up in Chennai in 2019 at an investment of ₹1,300 crore. Spearheaded by Harshad Reddy, it was a first of sorts. Two-thirds of the world, including Southeast Asia, South Korea, Australia and the U.K., did not have such a facility at that time. Approvals to set it up took time, since it was like setting up a nuclear facility in town! Today, Reddy is 92. The second generation has been running operations successfully for years, and the third is already driving change and growth. The legacy that Reddy built because his father wanted him to do something for the country has come full circle. Fortune India is now on WhatsApp! Get the latest updates from the world of business and economy delivered straight to your phone. Subscribe now.

Prathap C. Reddy: Apollo Healthcare’s Doctor for Life

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