Date:05/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/05/stories/2007040502420700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Apollo-IBM to set up health super highway

Special Correspondent

It will offer assistance to doctors on alternative diagnoses

HYDERABAD: The Apollo group of hospitals and global IT major IBM plan to establish a "health super highway" by connecting 150 hospitals across the country. Microsoft has also evinced interest in "adding value" to the project.

Apollo group chairman Prathap C. Reddy told presspersons here on Wednesday that the super highway would offer assistance to doctors on alternative diagnoses. Around 9,00,000 doctors would be benefited by the project.

Apollo had identified two hospital groups in the United Kingdom for acquisition. Due diligence was on, and one of the deals would be finalised before the yearend.

The Apollo group, in association with nine other premier hospitals including AIIMS and Narayana Hridayalaya, would connect 52 African countries through telemedicine.

Earlier, addressing the annual day celebration of the State chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Dr. Reddy said the Central Government was looking at an investment of $500 billion to ensure a growth rate of 10 per cent.

Industries Minister J. Geetha Reddy said the Government was drawing a roadmap for making Andhra Pradesh a strong base for manufacturing. The Government was looking at market and technology-driven industries and an investment of $170 billion by 2010. Contribution of industry to the Gross State Domestic Product was targeted to grow from 12.5 to 15 per cent and that of exports from 4.3 to 10 per cent by 2010, she said.