Dr Agarwal’s Health Care Limited (DAHCL), an Indian hospital chain specialising in eye care, has received $80m from its existing backers, TPG Growth and Temasek, with an aim to double its network.

Over the next three years, DAHCL will use the capital to increase its number of centres from the existing 151 to more than 300.

It will also use the infusion for technological upgrades relating to vision correction.

These include laser cataract surgery, SMILE, and technologies for the treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

DAHCL CEO Adil Agarwal said: “The investment will be used to support the business through its next phase of growth, including the acquisition of small hospitals and chains, as well as greenfield expansion of our network.

“We are looking at doubling our network in the next three years and are also looking to expand aggressively in Maharashtra, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and central India, besides penetrating deeper into our existing markets. We will also be establishing over 100 primary eye clinics in tier 2 and tier 3 towns in the next couple of years.”

The firm also plans to build ten new centres to strengthen its reach in Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania, Adil Agarwal added.

DAHCL chairman Professor (Dr.) Amar Agarwal stated that the fresh funding will enable the expansion of the group in both domestic and international markets.

Established in 1957, with a single facility in the Indian city of Chennai, the group currently has a presence in more than 14 Indian states and ten countries.

It has 140 hospitals and 11 eye clinics in India and Africa, with Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal, and Gujarat being its key markets.

DAHCL is currently working on new projects in Punjab, Mumbai, and central and northern India.