PureHealth Holding has posted a first-quarter (Q1) 2024 net profit of AED491 million, up by around AED272 million from Q1 2023, with a margin improvement of approximately 2.5 percentage points to 8.0%.
In Q1 2024, PureHealth achieved robust revenue growth of 52%, reaching AED6.1 billion. Particularly noteworthy is the 85% year-on-year increase in hospital revenue, totalling AED4.8 billion.
This growth was propelled by a 10% year-on-year surge in total patient volumes, reaching 1.5 million patients, as well as a 10% rise in bed occupancy rates to 71%. Furthermore, this upward trajectory was bolstered by the consolidation of recent 100% acquisitions of Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City (SSMC) in Abu Dhabi and Circle Health Group in the UK.
Top-tier health provider
Group Chairman, Hamad Al Hammadi, said: “PureHealth's performance is setting us on a path to joining the ranks of top-tier global healthcare providers. The dedication of our employees is the cornerstone of this success, and their efforts continue to fuel our expansion across the UAE and internationally. We are committed to maintaining this momentum and driving further advancements in pursuit of our mission to advance the science of longevity in the years to come, delivering premium healthcare services to people in the UAE and beyond.”
Shaista Asif, PureHealth’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Through our integrated strategy and expansion efforts, the successful acquisitions of Circle Health Group and SSMC have added over 2,000 beds across a network of more than 50 hospitals. This expansion underscores our commitment to excellence and demonstrates a clear path toward creating long-term, sustainable shareholder value. Moreover, STMC, a large tertiary care facility with a capacity of more than 850 beds inaugurated in the latter half of 2023, is ramping up its operations in response to increased demand in the Al Ain region. STMC is set to be a vital addition to PureHealth’s hospital portfolio, serving as another milestone in the group’s value-creation journey. While we are experiencing organic growth within our current business units, we will continue to actively explore opportunities for capital deployment in our pursuit of inorganic growth. This strategy aims to further enhance diversification, scale, and income growth.”
PureHealth’s acquisitions in Q1 2024
During Q1 2024, PureHealth completed the 100% acquisition of Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest private hospital provider, followed thereafter by the 100% acquisition of SSMC, the UAE’s largest tertiary hospital. These acquisitions are part of the Group's commitment to its vision of extending Abu Dhabi's healthcare influence globally through a series of strategic acquisitions.
Valued at $600 million, SSMC generated revenues of AED2.2 billion in 2023 and has an overall capacity of 732 beds, 46 service lines within 12 clinical departments, 490 physicians and 1,500 nurses. SSMC has been licensed by Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to provide Bone Marrow Transplant and STEM. SSMC is also recognised as a centre of excellence for stroke care.
Operating performance
Alongside significant achievements in the Hospitals segment, the insurance segment recorded a revenue increase of 13% year-on-year to AED1.6 billion in Q1 2024, driven by higher gross written premiums, reflecting the growing demand for Daman’s insurance offering. The Procurement segment further supported revenue growth, with a 4% increase to AED1.1 billion in Q1 2024
In terms of profitability, the group's gross profit reached approximately AED1.5 billion in Q1 2024, marking a 6 percentage point year-on-year increase to achieve a gross margin of around 24%. This improved profitability is attributed to several factors, including an enhanced patient mix, reduced utilisation rates across the insurance segment, and the successful execution of ongoing operational streamlining and cost optimisation initiatives.
As a result of increased operational efficiencies and organic growth, the group’s EBITDA has increased to approximately AED1.1 billion, a 127% increase year-on-year, with the EBITDA margin for Q1 2024 expanding to around 18% (compared to 12% in Q1 2023).
As of March 31, 2024, PureHealth reported total assets of approximately AED47 billion, up from around AED28 billion in Q1 2023, which includes a healthy total cash balance of AED8 billion. The Net Cash balance stood at approximately AED4.4 billion (excluding lease liabilities), resulting in a Net Cash to EBITDA ratio of 1.45x as of the last twelve months to March 31, 2024.--TradeArabia News Service
