BH allots B4bn for upgrade as competition intensifies
SET-listed Bumrungrad International Hospital (BH) has earmarked 4 billion baht over the next five years (2019-2023) towards operations, ward renovations, IT and medical equipment to increase efficiency and provide better services to patients.
BH expects total revenue for 2019 to increase by 2% to 19 billion baht.
Artirat Charukitpipat, chief executive, said the country’s healthcare sector faces aggressive competition because many local hospitals have upgraded their quality of medical services, drugs and devices to attract potential customers.
“Our business strategy is to maintain investment and upgrade our efficiency and quality amid fierce competition,” she said.
BH has 580 licensed beds to serve patients, both Thais and foreigners, with an occupancy rate of 65%.
It averages 1.1-1.2 million patients per year and Thais account for 40% of total patients.
“Once the occupancy rate reaches over 70%, BH will consider increasing bed numbers to meet patient demand,” said Mrs Artirat.
She said BH could increase its fiveyear budget beyond 4 billion baht because it has land plots on Phetchaburi Road to expand new buildings.
The largest shareholder of BH is SETlisted Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc (BDMS) with a 24.92% stake.
BDMS is the largest private hospital provider with 7,732 patient beds.
Mrs Artirat said BH plans to delay its expansion plan for an intensive care unit (ICU), blaming a bearish economic sentiment both locally and overseas.
Previously, BH announced it would expand its ICU by 24 beds from 63 in order to support elderly patients.
BH plans to expand in two phases during 2020-22, with 12 beds for each phase.
“The 63 beds are sufficient for the ICU to handle emergency cases at the hospital now,” she said.
There are roughly 12,000-14,000 ICU patients at BH annually, equal to 5-10 patients a day.
In related news, BH has announced its vision for 2022, aiming to provide holistic healthcare and implement innovative medical technologies in tertiary care.
BH has been providing services for more than 40 years through an approach that emphasises patient safety, said Mrs Artirat.