Unihealth Launches Eye Care and Ophthalmology Services at Uganda Hospital; Consolidating Ownership of Asset

Unihealth Launches Eye Care and Ophthalmology Services at Uganda Hospital; Consolidating Ownership of Asset​

Unihealth Hospitals Limited, an integrated healthcare delivery platform operating across India and East Africa, has commissioned a dedicated Eye Care and Ophthalmology Department at UMC Victoria Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. The launch marks a significant move to expand specialized healthcare access in the region, following strategic corporate developments concerning the hospital's ownership structure.

The new department has completed its first cohort of cataract surgeries, all reported as successful and complication-free. This operational milestone is part of Unihealth’s broader strategy to strengthen UMC Victoria Hospital into a full-spectrum regional eye-care hub.

This clinical expansion follows a strategic share-swap transaction approved by the Board on July 3, 2026. The transaction saw Unihealth increase its ownership stake in Victoria Hospital Limited (VHL) from 50.00% to 99.81%, making it an almost wholly owned subsidiary.

The commissioning of the specialized department equips UMC Victoria Hospital with dedicated surgical infrastructure and trained staff to manage a wide range of eye conditions, ranging from routine vision care to complex surgical interventions.

Addressing Critical Vision Needs in East Africa​

Cataracts are identified as one of the most common causes of vision impairment in Uganda and across sub-Saharan Africa. By establishing in-house ophthalmic surgery capabilities, UMC Victoria Hospital directly addresses this critical healthcare gap, reducing the necessity for patients to travel long distances or seek care internationally.

Dr. Anurag Shah, Founder and Director of Unihealth Hospitals Limited, stated that restoring sight to the first patients is a proud moment for the hospital. He noted that with the department operational, they can offer timely surgical care locally in Kampala.

Vision for Full-Spectrum Eye Care Centre​

The launch of cataract surgery represents the initial phase of a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at transforming UMC Victoria Hospital into a leading regional eye care center. Unihealth plans to expand services significantly in the coming months.

Planned areas of future growth include:


Dr. Akshay Parmar, Founder and Managing Director, added that the goal is to build a full-spectrum eye care centre of excellence in Kampala, offering services from routine examinations to advanced surgery.

Strategic Rationale and Financial Strengthening​

The clinical expansion is strategically linked to the consolidation of UMC Victoria Hospital into an almost wholly owned subsidiary. Management views the newly commissioned Ophthalmology Department as an early, tangible return on this consolidation strategy. As Unihealth moves toward near-full ownership, incremental investment in high-margin surgical specialties will accrue substantially to the Company and its shareholders.

The department adds a higher-margin specialty service line to UMC Victoria Hospital, which is one of the Group’s most profitable assets. This initiative reinforces the earnings trajectory of the company, especially given that East Africa contributes the substantial majority of consolidated revenue.

For FY26, Unihealth Hospitals Limited reported consolidated financial results as follows:

UNIHEALTH Stock Price Movement​

As of 12:51 PM, shares of Unihealth Hospitals Limited are slipping by 3.37% in live trading, currently valued at ₹715 as the stock sheds ₹24.95. The equity has seen a total traded volume of 6,000 shares during the day and is tracking against a low of ₹715.