Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd which operates the Narayana Health hospital network announced on Friday that it is acquiring UK-based Practice Plus Group Hospitals in an all-cash deal worth about Rs. 2200 crore (GBP 188.78 million). The agreement involves purchasing 100 per cent of the company’s equity shares. The acquisition will be made through Narayana Hrudayalaya UK Ltd a wholly owned subsidiary of Health City Cayman Islands Ltd according to the company’s filing with the BSE. Founded by Dr. Devi Shetty Narayana Health said the deal will give it control of seven hospitals three surgical centres two urgent treatment units and several diagnostic and eye-care centres together offering about 330 beds. Dr. Shetty said the acquisition fits with Narayana Health’s goal of making private healthcare more affordable and accessible. “Like Narayana Health Practice Plus Group understands that most patients struggle to access healthcare while only a few can afford expensive private treatment. Both organisations aim to serve those in between offering a more accessible private healthcare option” Shetty said. Who is Dr. Devi Shetty? Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty born on May 8 1953 in Kinnigoli India is a celebrated Indian cardiac surgeon and the founder of Narayana Health. He is widely known for making high-quality healthcare affordable for people across India. In 1992 he performed India’s first neonatal heart surgery. Over the course of his career he has carried out more than 100000 heart surgeries. Dr. Shetty established Narayana Hrudayalaya (now Narayana Health) in Bangalore in 2001 which has since grown into a vast network of over 21 hospitals and medical centres across India along with an international facility in the Cayman Islands. He has received several top honours including the Padma Shri (2004) and the Padma Bhushan (2012) two of India’s highest civilian awards. In 2020 he was featured in the Netflix docuseries “The Surgeon’s Cut” which profiled his work and philosophy. Dr. Shetty also served as the personal physician to Mother Teresa and created the “Yeshasvini” micro-health insurance scheme which provides affordable healthcare to poor farmers in India. Dr. Devi Shettys net worth With an estimated net worth of USD 2.6 billion Shetty is among the wealthiest in the country.