At 93, Apollo founder still has big dreams for Indian healthcare
Dr Reddy, who turns 93 Thursday, lobbied PM Indira Gandhi to ensure import duties on equipment fell from 300% to zero. Banks funded the build; cement and steel came cheap, and he built Apollo Chennai, India’s first multispecialty hospital, in 1983 with a promise to offer treatment to 25% of patients free.
Dr Reddy, who turns 93 Thursday, lobbied PM Indira Gandhi to ensure import duties on equipment fell from 300% to zero. Banks funded the build; cement and steel came cheap, and he built Apollo Chennai, India’s first multispecialty hospital, in 1983 with a promise to offer treatment to 25% of patients free.
