Ramsay Sime Darby optimistic of securing tie-ups in China

KUALA LUMPUR: Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care Sdn Bhd is optimistic of securing partnerships with hospitals in China within six months, says group chief executive officer Bronte Kumm.

He said the medical centre was currently looking at five and would consider two or three or maybe one of them while going through the process.

"As of now we don't have a preconceived idea of how many we want. We will base the decision on merits, and if there are many opportunities it's good.

"If there are five, I'm not suggesting we take all now but each of that five opportunities will go through our next step," he told reporters after the launch of Subang Jaya Medical Centre Mediplex by Selangor's Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah on Monday.

Kumm, who will be flying to China on Tuesday, said the hospitals the group was looking at could be single or a group.

"The group is learning quickly and there seems to be a continued supply of better opportunities from the republic, so we remain optimistic we will have opportunities there," he said.

Earlier this year, the group cancelled a RM431 million partnership deal with Jinxin Healthcare Investment Management Group Ltd in Chengdu.

Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care is a 50:50 joint-venture between Sime Darby Bhd and Australias largest healthcare group, Ramsay Health Care Ltd.

It operates three hospitals in Malaysia, including Subang Jaya Medical Centre and three in Indonesia.

The group has seen a 20% profit growth since April 2015 and expects the trend to continue and to surpass RM100 million in the current financial year ending June 2017 from RM83 million in FY16. - Bernama