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Apollo Hospitals, founded by Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy, is India's largest private healthcare network with 73 hospitals, 11,000 doctors, and 6,500 pharmacies Apollo Hospitals stands today as India’s largest private healthcare network, with a reputation for delivering world-class medical care. According to its official website, the network comprises more than 73 hospitals across the country, supported by a team of over 11,000 doctors. It also includes 2,300 diagnostic centres, more than 700 clinics, and over 6,500 pharmacies, a scale unmatched by any other hospital group in India.
Yet, few know that its founder, Dr Prathap Chandra Reddy, once treated patients for just Re 1. A recipient of the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, Dr Reddy’s mission was simple: to alleviate human suffering. This is the inspiring journey of the man who transformed Indian healthcare.
Early Life And Medical Education Born in 1933 in the small village of Argonda in Andhra Pradesh, Dr Reddy was driven from a young age by a desire to serve others. He became the first person from his village to pursue a career in cardiology, studying at the renowned Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston after earning his MBBS in India and a fellowship from the Royal College in the UK. A defining moment came when he witnessed a child in India die due to the family’s inability to afford treatment abroad.
That tragic experience profoundly impacted him and ultimately shaped his life’s mission. Laying The Foundation Of Apollo Hospitals In 1971, Dr Reddy returned to India, determined to provide advanced medical care domestically. At the time, neither banks nor the government were willing to support his vision.
Undeterred, he mortgaged his family’s land worth Rs 3 crore and, in 1983, founded Apollo Hospital in Chennai with just 150 beds. India then had a severe shortage of skilled doctors. To build a world-class team, Dr Reddy travelled to the United States to personally persuade Indian doctors to return home.
Slowly, he gathered like-minded professionals, and within three years, Apollo had turned profitable. Growth And Innovation Following the success of the Chennai facility, Apollo expanded rapidly into cities like Ahmedabad, Bilaspur, Mysore, and Kolkata. By 2003, the company’s revenue had exceeded Rs 300 crore, making it the first hospital group in India to be publicly listed.
Apollo later diversified into new sectors. In 2014, it acquired a pharmacy chain, giving rise to Apollo Pharmacy. The following year, it launched Apollo HomeCare, bringing medical services to patients’ homes.
In 2020, Apollo introduced the digital platform Apollo 24|7, which attracted over 10 million users within two years. By 2022, Apollo had become a trusted name for patients from 120 countries, operating more than 70 hospitals with over 10,000 beds and 6,000 pharmacies, solidifying India’s reputation as a global health destination. The Road Ahead Apollo continues to lead India’s healthcare revolution.
On April 26, 2024, it became the most valuable hospital group in the country, achieving a valuation of Rs 22,000 crore, following a surge in share prices. As of April 28, 2025, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Limited holds a market capitalisation of Rs 1,00,820 crore, just behind Max Healthcare, which stands at Rs 1,07,975.79 crore.
At 92, Dr Prathap C. Reddy remains Chairman of the Apollo Hospitals Group and still works up to 20 hours a day, committed to his vision of making quality healthcare accessible to all. In a testament to his enduring dedication, he has treated more than 10,000 patients in his hometown of Argonda for just Re 1 over the past three decades, staying true to his original dream of compassionate, affordable care for the poor.
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