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Biggest private outpatient clinic
CHAROEN KITTIKANYA
Bumrungrad Hospital Plc (BH) has officially opened Bumrungrad International Clinic, a new building with an investment cost of 1.3 billion baht.
The 22-storey building with 53,000 square metres of floor space would double the hospital's capacity to 6,000 outpatients per day, making it the largest private-sector outpatient clinic in the world.
''The new building is part of our plan for expanding Bumrungrad International in Bangkok to give better service to more patients,'' said Mack Banner, Bumrungrad's CEO.
''The current building, which opened in 1997, will be modernised and used as the main building for inpatient services. We are upgrading the rooms and will expand to 600 total beds within five years.''
Under its five-year investment plan (2008-12), BH estimated its total capital expenditure would be 3.04 billion baht.
The plan includes doubling space for outpatient clinics and adding new parking at Bangkok International Clinic, reacquiring the BH Tower from Bangkok Bank and renovating it to add more inpatient beds. In addition, it plans to renovate existing buildings, invest in technology and convert some space into additional ICU beds.
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| Attending the official opening of Bumrungrad International Clinic, from left: Curtis Schroeder, Group CEO of Bumrungrad International; Dr Sinn Anuras, group medical director; Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Asean secretary-general; Chai Sophonpanich, chairman of Bumrungrad International; Dr Chamaree Chuapetcharasopon, medical director of Bumrungrad International; and CEO Mack Banner. |
The facilities will provide a better overall hospital experience for patients and increase outpatient capacity in Bangkok to 6,000 per day in 2012 from 3,500, with inpatient bed capacity rising to 650 from 500 at present.
According to the company's executives, the new building offers a variety of specialties including check-ups, allergy, heart, hormones and nutrition, infectious disease, kidney, neurology, pain management, pulmonology, rheumatology, urology, and men's health. There are more than 250 examination rooms, each featuring new equipment and technology.
A spacious 10th floor Sky Lobby, in particular, is split into one side for Thai and resident expat patients, another for international visitors. The resident side features the new Napa Lounge, a premium lounge similar to airport business class lounges, with complimentary snacks, publications, TV, and computer access. It will be open to members of Bumrungrad's new Healthy Living Club programme.
The international side has a similar facility for its International Medical Co-ordination Office, where foreign patients can get advice and service for their special needs. Between the sides is a cafe and bookstore.
Above the Sky Lobby is The Mezz, with six international restaurants serving New Orleans, Lebanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese and Italian cuisine.
According to Ayudhya Securities research, BH is expected to achieve sales of 9.16 billion baht this year, a rise from 8.32 billion in 2007 despite expected weaker earnings in the second quarter due to a flat top line and a higher cost-to-revenue from the new building, and seasonal effects as the quarter is the travel industry's low season.
With the second half being the high season, the securities firm expected a fully normalised profit of 1.21 billion baht, or growth of 8% year-on-year.
BH shares closed yesterday on the Stock Exchange of Thailand at 36.50 baht, down 25 satang, in trade worth 15.26 million baht.
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