VPS Healthcare consolidates GCC assets under Burjeel Holdings

New holding company will operate about 60 assets catering to all socio-economic segments across a range of brands

Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and managing director of VPS Healthcare, at the launch of Burjeel Holdings. Photo: Burjeel

UAE-based VPS Healthcare is consolidating its healthcare assets in the UAE, Oman and the rest of the Gulf under a new holding company called Burjeel Holdings as it embarks on the next phase of its expansion.

The launch of Burjeel, which occurred on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, has created one of the largest integrated health networks in the region, the company said in a statement on Monday.

As an intermediary holding company set up under VPS Healthcare, Burjeel will further build its network of hospitals, specialised clinics and allied services.

It will operate about 60 assets catering to all socio-economic segments across a range of brands, including Burjeel Hospitals, Medeor Hospital, LLH Hospital, Lifecare Hospital and Tajmeel.

Burjeel Holdings will also consolidate the largest diagnostic network in the UAE and brings under its umbrella one of the biggest orthopaedic practice and mother-and-child care provider in the country.

Burjeel Medical City, one of the largest private hospitals in the UAE, will be the holding company's flagship asset, the company said.

“Burjeel Holdings enables us to consolidate our healthcare offerings under one platform to create an integrated ecosystem, which will continue our vision to offer end-to-end health solutions under a single window,” said Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and managing director of VPS Healthcare.

“As we embark on our expansion journey, the platform will provide the foundation to scale up operations in new geographies in the GCC and beyond.”

The holding company structure will also enable the management to take strategic corporate actions needed to drive the company’s future growth, he said.

Demand for healthcare services has grown amid the coronavirus pandemic. Companies are consolidating their assets to gain scale and add additional services including diagnostics, testing and other support services to better serve patients and increase their market share.

In January, Abu Dhabi holding company ADQ merged its healthcare subsidiaries with Alpha Dhabi’s Pure Health Medical Supplies to streamline their portfolios, creating the UAE’s largest healthcare provider.

As part of the deal, Abu Dhabi Health Services Company — better known as Seha — and the National Health Insurance Company — known as Daman — are consolidating into Pure Health, Alpha Dhabi said in a statement at the time.

Last year, Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company acquired a 40 per cent stake in Response Plus Medical Services (RPM) through a subsidiary for an undisclosed sum.

RPM, which is a unit of VPS Healthcare, specialises in providing on-site healthcare services in remote work locations and medical emergency transfers.