US-based Aetna International plans to invest Rs 100 crore in Indian Health Organisation

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US-based Aetna International plans to invest Rs 100 crore in its fully owned Indian subsidiary Indian Health Organisation (IHO) in a bid to strengthen its presence in the domestic market and ramp up its focus on providing quality health care to the masses.

It has launched a prepaid health card in the domestic market which will enable people to cut down on their day-to-day medical expenses. Currently, as much as 60 percent of the overall health care spends go into day-to-day medication and consultation, as per industry data.  The card is available for an annual fee of Rs 5,800 which, if purchased, will allow a family of four as many as 10 free consultations in leading hospitals such as Max Healthcare, Fortis Healthcare and Apollo Hospitals, among others. Besides, it will give the option of unlimited tele-consultation for free to people to ensure guidance anywhere and anytime.
 
“So many times, we avoid going to a doctor and indulge in self medication when we are unwell which in the long run can be dangerous,” says Manasije Mishra, managing director at the Indian Health Organisation. “Our health care card provides people the option of calling up a doctor for assistance.”  

If purchased, services of the card include consultations, diagnostics, treatment and pharmacy. It also provides guidance on wellness through nutritionists and dieticians. The card has been launched in five cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Going forward, Aetna through IHC, plans to target 25 cities.

Aetna forayed into India in 2011 when it acquired a 100 percent stake in the privately held Indian Health Organisation, which had a network of doctors, dentists, clinics and labs. It was founded by Visham Sikand and Sunando Sen in 2008.