ALI to open two hospitals next year

Property giant Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) is set to open two new hospitals next year while still on the process of cementing its foothold in the country’s healthcare industry.

ALI is particularly planning to build 10 hospitals across the country until 2019 as part of its healthcare venture that started more than a year ago.

As of now, the company only has one Qualimed branch, the flagship brand for the group’s healthcare portfolio.

In an interview, ALI president and chief executive officer Bobby Dy said he is confident the company can build all those 10 hospitals within its expected timetable, adding that the company is on track to opening two more Qualimed branches next year.

“The one in Iloilo is already open. The one in San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan will open next year and the one in Nuvali in Laguna,” Dy said.

Aside from Laguna and Bulacan, the company is also planning to open one in Bacolod, Cavite, Cebu, Pampanga, Davao, Balintawak, Taguig City, and in other parts of Metro Manila.

In order to build the 10 hospitals, the company will invest as much as 5 billion.

The real estate company is in partnership with Whiteknight Holdings, Inc. of the Mercado family for this healthcare venture.

ALI’s partnership with the Mercado group involves development of medical facilities under two formats, the clinic type of development inside the malls and stand-alone hospitals.

Each new hospital, which requires an investment of around 500 million, will have a capacity of 100 to 150 beds, while the satellite clinic format will cost around 20 to 30 million to build. It was in February 2014 when ALI first announced its plans to build 10 new hospitals that should have combined amount of 1,000 beds as well as 10 clinics over a five-year span.

In January this year, ALI opened its first hospital located in Iloilo.