The surging cost of health care in Kerala
The cost of healthcare in Kerala is surging, with many people relying on private hospitals and incurring high out-of-pocket expenses. Global private equity firms are investing heavily in the state's private hospitals, sparking concerns about the future of healthcare in Kerala.
A recent incident in Kozhikode highlights the paradox of Kerala's healthcare system. A patient was quoted ₹10,000 for treatment at a corporate-run hospital, but only ₹1,000 at a cooperative sector hospital. Private hospitals in Kerala are attracting large investments from global private equity firms. The Competition Commission of India recently approved a proposal by Bentley Asia Holdings II Pte Ltd to acquire a stake in Baby Memorial Hospital. In 2024, KKR invested nearly ₹2,500 crore in BMH. The per capita private health expenditure in Kerala has increased from ₹7,636 in 2013-14 to ₹13,343 in 2021-22. Experts attribute the rising healthcare costs to an increasing disease burden and an aging population.
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