BNH set to target foreign patients

BNH Hospital has doubled its investment budget this year to Bt100 million in a bid to enlarge its client base, particularly expats and foreign tourists.

Director Linda Kraivit yesterday said the hospital would spend about Bt80 million to open four branches of BNH@Yours clinics in Bangkok.

The first will be BNH@CentralWorld, which will launch in the first half of the year. Others will be on Rama III and Sukhumvit roads, as well as on either Suriwong or Silom Road. The hospital will spend Bt20 million on each branch.

Last year, the hospital opened BNH@All Seasons at All Seasons Place. The clinic saw an average of 60 patients a day and generated revenue of Bt12 million last year to hit its target.

Linda said outside clinics were part of the hospital's policy of reaching out to clients. BNH expects each branch to break even within three years.

The remaining Bt20 million will be used to create a BNH office in Sydney, Australia. If the office is successful, the hospital plans to establish another one in New Zealand.

"At present, BNH has two foreign offices, in Beijing and Shanghai. The hospital is investing huge money this year because we want to attract expats, foreign tourists and fly-in clients. Last year, 50 per cent of revenue came from foreign clients, while those clients accounted for 30 per cent of all patients," Linda said.

BNH will promote its reputation for top-class spinal and orthopaedic surgery as its strong point to attract foreigners. Last year, patients from Japan, Australia, the UK, the US and Scandinavia received such surgery. BNH has 20 partnerships with insurance companies around the world to recommend clients who want to have spinal or orthopaedic operations.

The hospital expects to generate revenue of Bt1.56 billion this year, up 20 per cent from Bt1.3 billion last year. It is also targeting its number of patients to increase 10 per cent.

"The hospital's revenue grows 10 per cent annually on average. We expect revenue this year to grow more than average, due to expansion in domestic and foreign markets," Linda said.

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation