More proof that healthcare services is becoming international
If the trans-continental race to buy Espirito Santo Saude, with bidders from China, Mexico, USA and Portugal, isn’t proof enough of the increasing internationalisation of the market for healthcare services take a look at the bidders for to build and operate the new university hospital in Bratislava (NUHB), the big Slovak PPP.
The Slovak Minister of Health tells us that of the 26 companies who have expressed interest only four are Slovak. Austria is home for five as is France and Spain for three. All are supposed to fulfil the some demands: western European standard of quality of healthcare provision, higher efficiency used resources, flexibility on the adoption of economies of scale. On top of that, the new 945-bed NUBH would cover impatient, outpatient and diagnostic healthcare services, including education and possibly R&D functions and demonstrate greater efficiency and quality of healthcare, without government financial support.
The ministry estimates sales in the first year of full operation of €130m with annual sales growth at 2%-3.5%. Mind you, it will be interesting to see if any of the bidders ultimately decide they can trust the current leftist government under Robert Fico.
We would welcome your thoughts on this story. Email your views to Max Hotopf or call 0207 183 3779.
