Indira IVF extends its infertility treatment expertise to Kathmandu, Nepal, marking its first international hospital inauguration. With EQT's support, the organization aims to provide comprehensive fertility solutions globally, addressing the growing demand for advanced reproductive care.
Indira IVF, India’s largest network of infertility treatment hospitals, has announced its international foray with the inauguration of its hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. This marks the organisation’s first move beyond the Indian borders, setting in motion its next phase of growth with support from global private equity firm EQT that entered as Indira IVF’s majority owner in July 2023. Indira IVF seeks to take its expertise to South-East Asian, Middle-Eastern, European, and African countries.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated one out of every six people globally face challenges in conceiving at some point in their lives, making infertility a widespread concern affecting millions. Fertility issues are prevalent in both developed and developing nations, where high costs, societal stigmatisation, and limited availability of solutions contribute to the challenges. The complexities of infertility, experienced by both men and women, add to its multifaceted nature. This global demand for fertility care spans diverse regions and demographics, underscoring the imperative for comprehensive solutions.
India has been a hub for medical tourism, with a ranking of 10 in the Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-21 out of the 46 destinations in the world. This has been driven by state-of-the-art facilities, reputed healthcare professionals, financial viability, quick appointments, and accreditation of hospitals. Increasingly more patients have started to visit the country for sexual, reproductive and fertility care. At Indira IVF’s hospitals in India, over 400+ patients from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have visited the country for their infertility treatment.
Speaking on the organization’s international expansion, Mr Nitiz Murdia – Managing Director and Co-Founder of Indira IVF said, “Our vision and mission is eradicating infertility, and as a natural progression, we are actively exploring global markets to expand our services. We have a meticulously structured international expansion strategy in place, with the aim of becoming the leader in every country we enter. Recognising the multifaceted impact of infertility on families, including emotional, financial, and social aspects, we are committed to providing comprehensive solutions that address these challenges. Our pursuit extends beyond borders, driven by a dedication to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families worldwide, transforming our vision into a global reality.”
Commenting on the recent expansion into Nepal, Dr Kshitiz Murdia, CEO & Co-Founder of Indira IVF, stated, “Nepal has witnessed a consistent decline in fertility rates, reaching a low of 1.799 births per woman in 2023, in contrast to India’s 2.0 births per woman reported for 2019-21. As the first organized assisted reproductive technology (ART) player from India entering the country, Indira IVF plans to establish five more clinics nationwide to address the growing demand and provide accessible fertility solutions to families. Much like our approach in India, we aim to be trusted partners for all families seeking to fulfil their parenthood dreams.”
EQT is one of the largest and most active healthcare investors globally and over the past 30 years, the firm has invested more than USD 25 billion in over 200 healthcare companies across every stage of their development, from early-stage life sciences start-ups to global market leaders. After having entered as majority owner in July 2023, EQT aims to leverage its deep healthcare sector expertise and global networks to support Indira IVF in its next phase of growth.
Ashish Agrawal, Partner at EQT in India, added, “The issue of infertility is brewing up across the globe and has now become a leading healthcare issue. Indira IVF has addressed this from front in India with its best-in-class medical infrastructure and technology, fulfilling the dreams of many couples across the country. With a similar approach, Indira IVF has now embarked on its international journey by entering Nepal in its first phase. Indira IVF aims to address the core issues, by fostering awareness and delivering optimal treatment. EQT’s investment signifies our confidence in Indira IVF’s proven methodology, and we are excited to be part of their next phase of transformative growth.”
In order to maintain standardisation, all specialists and staff members globally will be trained at Indira Fertility Academy (IFA). Recognised by the Merck Foundation and British Fertility Society, IFA is the academic wing of Indira IVF that was set up with a vision to develop and groom talent for infertility treatment. Indira IVF’s people power of over 2,700 specialists and staff across its 120-plus hospitals have been trained on the latest technology, procedures, and standard processes; this has moulded the organisation’s direct-to-customer approach and medical outcomes.
