Fortis Healthcare is preparing to widen its network of obesity-focused clinics across India, responding to a rapid rise in demand for weight-loss treatments and drugs, its CEO Ashutosh Raghuvanshi told Media.
The introduction of blockbuster weight-loss drugs like Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in India earlier this year has significantly boosted public awareness about obesity management. With India projected to become the world’s second-largest hub of obese individuals by 2050, sales of these medicines have already doubled within months of their rollout.
“We are seeing a steep increase in patient interest for structured weight-management solutions and advanced obesity therapies,” Raghuvanshi said.
Fortis, partly owned by Malaysia’s IHH Healthcare, currently runs 28 hospitals and manages Gleneagles facilities in India. It has already launched five obesity clinics in Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, and now plans to add 13 more within the next year across Punjab, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Haryana.
These specialized clinics will bring together endocrinologists, bariatric surgeons, nutritionists, dieticians, and psychologists to create tailored weight-management plans for patients. Fortis also administers weight-loss drugs directly through its hospitals.
According to Pharmarack, the Indian obesity drug market has surged nearly fivefold since 2021 to reach 6.28 billion rupees ($71 million), fueled by competitive pricing and growing patient willingness to experiment with new therapies. The market is expected to expand even further once generic versions of Novo Nordisk’s drug are introduced next year.
Looking ahead, Fortis intends to invest 7 billion rupees in hospital expansion over the next four years, particularly in Bengaluru, Mumbai, the NCR, and Punjab. The company is targeting revenue growth in the high-teens percentage range as it scales up capacity, Raghuvanshi added.