The country's major private healthcare companies, Wockhardt, Apollo and Fortis have lined up investments worth Rs 1,850 crore for expansion while a fourth one, Max Healthcare, is setting up a brain lab in Delhi at an undisclosed cost, reports Business Standard.

Indians spend around Rs 1,03,000 crore a year on healthcare. Wockhardt Hospitals has set aside Rs 500 crore for expansion and consolidation in the next 2-3 years.

Apollo Hospitals is set to add 1,800 beds at an investment of Rs 350 crore in the next 18 months, to take its capacity to 9,000 beds. Apollo had raised $135 million through an issue of global depository receipts (GDRs) a few months ago and it plans to penetrate tier-II cities through its chain of 'First Med' hospitals.

Max Healthcare is setting up the country's first 'Brain Lab' at Max Devki Devi Hospital, to be ready by January next. Fortis Healthcare is eyeing acquisitions in Mumbai, Chennai and Gujarat. Fortis is believed to have finalised a deal for a controlling stake in a Bangalore hospital.