Ms  Ameera Shah is the Managing Director and CEO of Metropolis Healthcare Limited a multinational chain of diagnostic centers  A successful young entrepreneur  she is highly respected in the healthcare world  She was also voted by Modern Medicare as The Young entrepreneur of the Year in India  Her leadership efforts in diagnostics have drawn recognition both for Indian Industry and Metropolis
Shah has been elected the Secretary of the IAPL  Indian Association of Pathology Laboratories   Shah  who has recently been appointed as Co chairman for FICCI Healthcare Committee  is lobbying with the Government for laying down standards for setting up diagnostic labs   The fast expanding Indian diagnostic industry needs regulation  There are no set criteria in terms of infrastructure  technology  qualification  etc for setting up a diagnostic laboratory  The fact that anyone with money can open a diagnostic laboratory is dangerous  Diagnostics is an important part of healthcare and thus proper regulations needs to be in place  be it terms of regulations for opening a laboratory or mandatory accreditations   feels Shah
Shah received a degree in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin and has been recently selected as part of the prestigious Owner President Program at Harvard University  Under her leadership  the company has grown by leaps and bounds within a span of just eight years  When she had joined the organization in 2003  there was only one laboratory  Today  the group has 65 laboratories  both nationally and internationally  The turnover which stood at Rs 12 crore in 2003 has grown to Rs 250 crore in 2011
Under her stewardship  Metropolis has evolved from its single pathology laboratory status in 2002 to a fully integrated multinational chain of 60 diagnostic centers across South Asia  Middle East and Africa in 2010  Using her deal making abilities  the company has expanded at a scorching pace in India and has created substantial JV s in Sri Lanka  UAE and South Africa  Under her leadership  Metropolis has become a well respected healthcare brand  catering to more than 10 000 small labs  nursing homes and hospitals  over 20 000 consultants and processes more than 12 million test annually
Her vision has been to change the dynamics of the industry  through consolidation and consistent innovation
In the past 9 years  Metropolis has expanded into new service lines like Clinical Research  Hospital Lab Management and Wellness Solutions and is always exploring and adopting cutting edge new technologies and services that contribute new revenue streams and strategically position the company as a leader
ABOUT METROPOLIS HEALTHCARE LTD
Metropolis Healthcare Ltd  was founded by Dr  Sushil Shah in 1981  Metropolis Healthcare is India s only multinational chain of diagnostic centers across India  Sri Lanka  South Africa and Middle East  It provides around 4 500 specialized tests under a single roof  ranging from oncology to genetics  molecular biology and immunoassays using best of breed and latest diagnostic equipment  Its services include Clinical Referral Laboratory  Over 4500 Tests  Hospital Laboratory Management  Preventive Health Checkups  Home Health Services  Site Management Services and Clinical Trials  It has accreditations such as CAP  NABL and ISO 15189  Warburg Pincus  a leading global private equity firm  has recently invested up to 85 million in Metropolis Healthcare Ltd
Commissioning New laboratories
Metropolis  which has been conferred with  Diagnostic Services Company of the Year  by Frost   Sullivan for India Excellence in Healthcare Awards in 2010  has chalked out plans to roll out 10 15 green field ventures centres  pan India  Says Ameera Shah  MD   CEO  Metropolis Healthcare Limited   To be built at an investment of Rs 15 crore to Rs 20 crore  these new laboratories would add to our existing list of 65 state  of the  art laboratories across India  UAE  Sri Lanka  South Africa  Nigeria  Bangladesh  Nepal and Mauritius  taking the total number to 80 laboratories   This expansion is funded by Warburg Pincus  a leading global private equity firm  which has recently invested up to $85 million in Metropolis  As of now  Metropolis with its 65 laboratories and over 550 collection centres  is a preferred referral centre for more than 10 000 laboratories  clinicians  hospitals and research institutions  across 125 cities India
Metropolis also plans to augment its presence in UAE  Sri Lanka and South Africa  which have tremendous potential and also are emerging markets  The company is adding currently three new laboratories in Sri Lanka  adding to its fleet of seven existing laboratories in Sri Lanka  Around 20 percent of Metropolis turnover comes from its international business
Other Growth Drivers
Partnerships  acquisitions: Besides Greenfield projects  Metropolis is consolidating its presence through partnerships  acquisitions  As of now  they have 14 such partnerships  acquisitions  pan India   We are in the process of acquiring four to five small laboratories in India  each with current an annual turnover of Rs 3 4 crore  We have earmarked 25 crore for these acquisitions   says Shah  who has recently been appointed as Co chairman for FICCI Healthcare Committee
Augmenting Test Menu: Every year  Metropolis invests approx Rs 5 10 crore on R D  cutting edge equipment and introducing new tests  This financial year  Metropolis has firmed up plans to add 100 new tests to its existing range of 4 500 tests   These high quality tests with accurate results would be at an affordable cost   says Shah  who is lobbying with the Government to lay down standards for setting up a diagnostic lab
Lab Management: Metropolis is also keen on taking on more laboratories of hospitals for management   We are currently in talks with a few hospitals for laboratory management   quips Shah  As of now  Metropolis manages 18 laboratories that are attached to hospitals
Looking Ahead
For the financial year 2011 2012  Metropolis has set a target of Rs 350 crore as turnover as compared with the year 2010 2011  when Metropolis clocked a turnover of Rs 250 crore   By the year 2020  the vision of the organization is to have a multibillion dollar market capitalization   informs Shah  Fuelling this expansion would be its expanded workforce  From the current manpower strength of 2 500 employees  Metropolis would be adding around 300 additional employees  this year