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Published on March 12, 2008

Medical director Karoon Mekanontchai said yesterday that the hospital could increase outpatient service capacity from 3,500 to 6,500 patients a day.

"Last year, Bumrungrad's clients rose by only 1-2 per cent due to political instability. But the increase of outpatient service capacity will be the key driver to increase our clients and revenue this year," he said.

After Bumrungrad opens the BI Clinic, the hospital will treat all outpatients in that building and renovate its existing building to serve only inpatients. The company will spend Bt400 million on the renovation and aims to increase inpatient capacity from 400 beds to 650 within two years.

Karoon said the hospital would spend Bt400 million out of its Bt2.1-billion investment budget on reacquiring BH Tower 1 and 2 from Bangkok Bank. About Bt300 million will be invested in Bumrungrad International, operator of its hospitals abroad.

Bumrungrad yesterday also launched its Bt58-million pharmacy robot from Swisslog for arranging medicines for inpatients.

At present, 40-45 per cent of Bumrungrad's clients are foreigners or expatriates.

"The only factor we have to be concerned about this year is the baht's value against the US dollar. If the baht strengthens, foreigners have to pay more than before. However, there is no sign of a decline in foreign patients since last year," Karoon said.

However, SCB Securities stated in its research that Bumrungrad's revenue grew 8 per cent year on year, held back mainly by slow domestic volume and a drop in international patients as tourist arrivals slowed.

Its net profit was reported at Bt1.6 billion, up 47 per cent, following the sale of Global Care Solutions (GCS) to Microsoft for Bt823 million, loss from impairment of software-related assets associated with GCS of Bt370 million and foreign-exchange gains of Bt3 billion.

However, SCB Securities remains positive about the hospital's prospects, due to expected improvements in domestic spending, tourist arrivals and outpatient service capacity.

Ayudhya Securities expects the hospital's revenue per patient to increase from last year.

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation