Apollo, one of India's largest privately owned hospital chains, has opened its first international clinic at Doha in Qatar.

Inaugurated Wednesday by Qatar's Minister of Public Health Hajar Ahmed Hajar Albenali, the Apollo Clinic has been started in association with the Abdullah Bin Qasim Al-Thani Group business house.

"Our demand studies and research findings have indicated that there exists a need for a strong primary healthcare backbone in many countries in the Asian region," said Ratan Jalan, CEO of Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited.

"We intend to use our expertise, standards and cost competitiveness to tap into this immense opportunity, primarily through the franchise route."

Indian Ambassador Ranjan Mathai and Apollo Hospitals Group chairman Prathap C. Reddy attended the inauguration.

Qatar is the first of the international markets identified by Apollo for the opening of its clinics.

In the next five years, the company plans to set up 250 clinics, including 30-40 clinics abroad in countries like South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, officials of the group said.

These clinics will offer specialist consultation, comprehensive diagnostic services, a range of preventive health check packages and a 24-hour pharmacy.

Telemedicine facility that enables patients to seek opinions from an expert panel of doctors at Apollo Hospitals in India will also be available, the officials said.