May 11, 20206 yr From Bangkok Post Medical tourism drop hits Bumrungrad Hospital Bumrungrad Hospital Plc said the plunge in medical tourists traveling to Thailand amid the coronavirus pandemic has squeezed its business, as the majority of the health-care operator’s revenue typically comes from international patients. “The Covid-19 crisis is a very tough test for all businesses,” Chief Executive Officer Artirat Charukitpipat said in a written interview on Monday. “More than 50% of our patients used to come from overseas. They’ve now disappeared. The most important question is how we will get over this crisis. At Bumrungrad, agility runs in our blood. We have great staff, and they are ready to adjust.” The hospital helped pioneer Thailand’s medical-tourism industry about three decades ago. With its core patient base closed off, Bumrungrad has stepped up telemedicine as well as conducting at-home blood tests, vaccinations and drug deliveries, according to Ms Artirat. The hospital operator, whose flagship is in Bangkok, also implemented new residence programmes for those requiring quarantine or physical distancing, she said. In 2019, Bumrungrad treated “632,000 international medical episodes from over 180 countries”, with patients from Myanmar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait accounting for the biggest share by revenue, according to the hospital’s website. Two-thirds of revenue came from non-Thai patients. Bumrungrad is currently the target of a pending takeover offer of about 85 billion baht by Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc, the largest hospital operator in Thailand, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Bumrungrad said in a filing to the stock exchange on Feb 27 that it was “surprised” by the bid.
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