Franchising allows healthcare to reach patient’s doorstep, suggest Director TEAM

Spread in an area of over 3000 sq ft, The Eye Associates, Mumbai (TEAM) is one of the best Multi-Speciality Eye Centres for a complete eye care under one roof. Centrally located in the Opera House area of South Mumbai, also known as the Medical Hub of the finance capital, the hospital offers multiple eye care procedures.

In an exclusive conversation with WI Bureau, Dr. Preetam Samant, Director, The Eye Associates Mumbai (TEAM) shared details about his venture, expansion plans and franchise model.

Current India presence
Currently, we have one branch of our multi-speciality eye hospital i.e. The Eye Associates Mumbai- (TEA). However, we are under process of expansion within two-three years.

Investment required to open Eye Hospital in India
For a well-equipped day care multi Sub-Speciality Eye Hospital, you need a minimum 2000-3000 sq ft of area. This would be able to house an outpatient clinic with investigation room and operating theatre complex.

Take on franchise partners
With technological advancement, ophthalmic eye care has become machine dependent. Thus, it is escalating the cost of establishing vis-a-vis running an eye care facility. Hence, the investment for starting a full equipped eye hospital is huge and Doctors may join hands with the investors and management to set up and run an eye hospital.

Franchising expansion
In most of our Metropolitan cities travelling is a nightmare. Imagine the patient’s plight; he/she is already burdened with the tension of illness and then you add travel woes to it. Hence, franchising allows healthcare to reach patient’s doorstep and decreases their burden.

City on radar
We have just opened our first center in South Mumbai. It’s too early in the day to plan the expansion. However, Mumbai being so vast that we will first look at expanding in the city itself and then may think of entering other cities.

Market view
Bigger eye hospitals, which already have a brand name and a business model, are in a best position to expand beyond geographical limits. However, it is imperative that in the process of expansion they do not compromise their basic quality and ethical values. That could also prove disastrous for their brand and for the patient. Our brand has the following values:
   • Eye care of topmost quality
   • Complete eye care encompassing all sub specialities of ophthalmology.
   • Eye care at reasonable cost i.e. suitable for all sections of society.

Challenges of eye care category
Besides the challenges of increased cost, investment etc, in setting up an eye hospital, which I have mentioned above, the other hurdle, is getting various official permissions to start an eye hospital that at times is a long drawn daunting process.

Eye Hospitals in India
India definitely need more eye hospitals. Although we are in a position to tackle common problems like Cataract, we need more eye hospitals to deal with other issues like Glaucoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, Pediatric eye problems is steadily increasing and affecting the young generations. To tackle these, the need of the hour is more multi sub-speciality eye hospitals all over the country.