By Jennifer Eagle www.constructionweekonline.com
Emaar Healthcare Group, the healthcare subsidiary of Emaar Properties has entered into a collaboration with Emirates Healthcare Limited (EHL) on its healthcare portfolio.
As part of the agreement, which takes effect on January 15, 2011, EHL will operate The Dubai Mall Medical Centre, the Arabian Ranches and Meadows clinics.
“The three clinics are the embodiment of the EHL vision of private healthcare delivery. This move provides us with a fantastic opportunity to be able to maintain and build upon the high level of patient care,” said David Hadley, CEO, EHL.
Mohamed Alabbar, chairman, Emaar Properties added as part of its long-term vision to create and sustain long-term value for its stakeholders, the company is focused on creating premium real estate developments in key emerging markets across the world.
“We will continue our emphasis on business and geographic expansion, while exploring partnership opportunities with proven specialists to bring greater value efficiencies to our operations,” he said.
“Emirates Healthcare Limited has demonstrated its competencies in delivering world-class healthcare, and we are confident that our agreement will further establish the healthcare assets in our communities as among the most efficient healthcare providers in the region.
“Our agreement is a perfect example of how strong partnerships can enhance the quality of life by leveraging on each other’s core strengths,” added Alabbar.
Emaar will continue its strategy of building partnerships and growth opportunities in all the markets that Emaar is currently developing master-planned communities, especially in the Middle East and North Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and South Asia.
EHL Management Services employs around 1,500 people, and operates seven healthcare facilities including Welcare Hospital, The City Hospital and five private clinics in Dubai (Welcare Ambulatory Care Centre, Emirates Diagnostic Clinic, Welcare Clinic Mirdif and Welcare Clinic Al Qusais, as well as the newly opened Welcare Ibn Batutta Clinic).
Hadley said EHL has proven its excellence in providing superior standards of medical care, through an international team of healthcare professionals, and recorded a revenue growth of 27% since 2009.
“We are extremely proud to be associated with the Emaar brand and are confident that the quality standards of both our organisations complement each other,” he added.
“We will introduce systems to enhance operational efficiencies as well as strengthen the healthcare standards further.”
EHL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emirates Healthcare Holding Limited (EHHL), the Middle East platform of Medi-Clinic Corporation, which also owns the largest private hospital group in Switzerland, Hirslanden AG, with 14 hospitals. Medi-Clinic also owns and manages 53 private hospitals in Southern Africa.
With 74 hospitals and clinics worldwide, Medi-Clinic Corporation is currently one of the top 10 largest listed private hospital groups in the world based on the market capitalisation of listed private hospital groups.
