According to a stock market disclosure, Malaysia's largest hospital operator IHH healthcare has acquired 51 percent stake in Hyderabad-based Continental Hospitals for about $45.4 million. This marks a rare move by an international healthcare provider to buy a majority stake in an Indian hospital.

Continental Hospitals is a 750-bed multi-specialty hospital located in Hyderabad. The deal was routed through a Singapore-based indirect subsidiary of IHH.

"Continental's carefully chosen team of experts, who are internationally-recognized healthcare professionals from over 30 specialties, is dedicated to providing top-notch patient care using world-class medical equipment and superior technology," IHH said in a statement.

IHH also has two joint ventures with Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in Kolkata and Apollo Gleneagles PET-CT Centre in Hyderabad. IHH's global healthcare network operates over 4,900 licensed beds in 30 hospitals, as well as 60 medical centers, clinics and ancillary healthcare businesses across eight countries.