AIG

AIG is Asia’s leading referral centre for gastric sciences and globally recognised centre of excellence

The Challenge

India is grappling with a rising prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders, which is putting a strain on the healthcare system. Recent data indicates that around 18% of India’s population suffers from gastrointestinal problems[1]. Notably, the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases has increased to more than 5 per cent compared to 0.1 per cent in 2006[2].

The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of gastroenterology specialists and inadequate healthcare infrastructure. Currently, there is only one gastroenterologist per five million people in the country². Moreover, many healthcare facilities lack the necessary diagnostic and therapeutic resources, leading to delayed treatments and poorer patient outcomes.

To combat these challenges, a comprehensive approach is essential, focusing on enhancing healthcare infrastructure and increasing the number of trained specialists.

AIG’s Solution

The Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG), Asia’s leading referral centre for gastric sciences, is spearheading the initiative to bridge the supply-demand gap. Since its founding in 1994, AIG has been at the forefront of developing surgical and medical procedures that can be efficiently performed on an out-patient basis, reducing the need for hospitalisations.

AIG is widely acknowledged as an international authority on gastric health and has been named one of the 21 Centres of Excellence by the World Gastroenterology Organisation. Moreover, it holds two world records: performing the first robotic endoscopy and conducting the highest number of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) procedures annually. Globally recognised for delivering high-quality, complex procedures, the hospital attracts referral patients from across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

In addition to its clinical expertise, AIG is also a renowned centre for research and academics, with numerous publications to its name, focused on reducing procedural complications and lowering treatment costs. It also serves as a major hub for medical education and training, having trained over 750 doctors from Southeast Asia. This includes more than 50% of Indonesia’s gastroenterologists and nearly all of Myanmar’s, furthering AIG’s mission of expanding access to high-quality care across the region.

Quadria’s Impact 

Since Quadria’s investment in 2016, AIG has experienced significant growth, achieving a 5.1x growth in revenue. Patient volumes have nearly tripled from 140,000 to 395,000 while the number of beds has quadrupled from 260 to 1,040.

Quadria has been instrumental in helping AIG establish key non-gastro specialty departments including Cardiac Sciences, Oncology, Neurology, Renal and Organ Transplant. Notably, Quadria supported AIG in building and operationalising the world’s largest single-site Gastric Sciences hospital in Hyderabad, India. This state-of-the-art, 780-bed facility, equipped with advanced medical technologies, positions AIG as a global leader in providing affordable access to specialised services.

The hallmark of the Quadria-AIG partnership is its unique twin-engine business model, which emphasises high throughput and process efficiencies. This model has enabled AIG to streamline medical procedures without compromising patient care, leading to significantly quicker recovery times for patients. As a result, AIG has been able to treat more patients in the same timeframe, while offering services at 20%–30% below market rates, making quality healthcare accessible to a broader audience, including many underprivileged patients.

Quadria’s investment and partnership have laid the foundation for a hospital built on strong ESG principles, ensuring access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. The company is dedicated to sustainable growth, with well-established management systems that integrate ESG with quality. Its strong governance and effective ESG integration across all functions foster greater value creation opportunities and enhance risk management.

With the support of Quadria’s investment and engagement model, AIG has expanded its impact and established itself as a leading provider of tertiary and quaternary care with diversified offerings.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9549910/

[2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/india-sees-significant-increase-in-inflammatory-bowel-disease-says-lancet-study/articleshow/102484357.cms?from=mdr