Medical hub shows high potential

Oct 03, 2008 (Bangkok Post - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- PFHLF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Pacific Healthcare (PHH) of Singapore is optimistic about the growth prospects of its joint venture in Thailand through Bangkok Medical Complex, which is due to open late this year.

"We've been looking at Thailand for some time. Thailand and Singapore are both regional medical hubs," said William Chong, CEO of Singapore-listed Pacific Healthcare Holdings.

"We feel the investments offer great potential, as the two countries can share experiences and expertise. On top of that, through the joint venture, we can also in the future transfer patients within the group's regional network."

Incorporated in 2001, Pacific Healthcare offers a comprehensive range of healthcare services, encompassing specialist medical care, dentistry and wellness services, as well as operating nursing homes and day surgery centres. Its integrated network allows patients to be treated in a multi-disciplinary manner within the group.

Pacific currently runs five major integrated medical centres in the prime Orchard Road area in Singapore, each with a specific focus: cosmetic surgery, dentistry, anti-ageing, diagnostics and specialist day surgery. In recent months it has stepped up its expansion abroad to India, China, Vietnam and Thailand.

Its revenue grew from S$47.26 million in 2005 to S$77.39 million in 2007, mainly contributed by specialist services.

Pacific Healthcare has paid about a half of a billion baht both for debt and equity of Bangkok Medical Complex.

According to Dr Chong, the company is also poised to invest in related health-care concerns of the specialised centres in the complex.

The one-billion-baht complex offers 10 medical centres specialising in different services, including a multi-disciplinary specialist centre and holistic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, a plastic surgery and reconstruction clinic, gastroenterology and intestinal treatment, skin and body rejuvenation, and chiropractic fitness.

Bangkok Mediplex also has lifestyle retail outlets in four storeys of the Nusasiri Grand Condo Ekamai on Sukhumvit 42, with a corridor linking it to the BTS.

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