Pacific Healthcare looks abroad

SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL

MAINBOARD-LISTED Pacific Healthcare Holdings is another example of a local healthcare company that has leveraged on Singapore's reputation for excellence as a regional medical hub to take its model of top-end healthcare services overseas, where the demand for private healthcare is rising.

The integrated specialist healthcare service provider has a team of more than 100 professionals and its medical centres straddle Singapore, Hong Kong, India and China. Recently, it also ventured into Vietnam, as part of its growing regional network.

Pacific Healthcare signed a design and management contract in January with Vietnamese firm Khanh Hoa Trading and Investment Company (Khanh Hoa TIC) to build a US$25 million facility in Hanoi. The project involves the design and building of a diagnostic and medical specialist centre in Phase 1 and the development of a 250-bed hospital in Phase 2.

Pacific Healthcare's Vietnam project is in its initial phases and plans are under way to recruit and train local doctors to run the medical centre. The company is also exploring new opportunities there.

Long-term corporate goals include diversifying its income stream from being Singapore-centric to being evenly weighted across several large regional centres. Group revenue for 2006 hit $64.4 million. The aim is double-digit growth over the next five years.

Source: Business Times, 14 June 2007