Fortis Healthcare (India) today announced the launch of four hospitals, including a cardiac care unit that will be operational by 2013, as part of its plans to strengthen its nationwide presence.

Besides setting up new hospitals at Kochi, Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh) and Bangalore, Fortis Healthcare will manage the cardiac care unit at HLG hospital in Asansol, West Bengal, Fortis Healthcare (India) said in a statement.

Commenting on the development Fortis Healthcare (India) Chief Executive Officer Aditya Vij said: "These new hospitals across the country

conform to our plan for strengthening the Fortis network in India."

With the launch of new hospitals, the company's bed strength will go up to 10,270 beds, it said.

While the company's 45-bed hospital at Kochi would offer healthcare for women under the 'Fortis La Femme' brand, its hospital at Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh would cater to Kullu-Manali-Mandi belt, it added.

Expanding its reach to West Bengal, Fortis would operate and manage a 50-bed cardiac care unit at multi-speciality HLG hospital in Asansol, it said.

The company also announced the launch of a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore, which will commence operations by 2013, the company said.

Shares of Fortis Healthcare (India) today closed at Rs 151.40 on the Bombay Stock Exchange, up 1.58 per cent from previous close.