NMC Health expects earnings boost after regulatory changes
Updated : 07:50
United Arab Emirates-based integrated healthcare provider NMC Health noted recent statements made by Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Tuesday morning.
The FTSE 250 firm said the statements, regarding regulatory changes to Thiqa cardholders in Abu Dhabi, received subsequent confirmation by the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi and were effective immediately.
It said they included the removal of the 20% co-payment on services accessed by Thiqa cardholders at private Abu Dhabi healthcare facilities, and the reduction in the co-payment for services accessed by Thiqa cardholders outside of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi from 50% to 10%.
The statements also included the removal of IVF-related restrictions.
“NMC expects these changes to positively impact its entire healthcare portfolio,” its board said in a statement.
“In particular, NMC Royal Hospital, Al Zahra Hospital and Fakih IVF are anticipated to be key beneficiaries of the revised regulations.
“NMC now expects full year EBITDA to be towards the top end of the current guidance range of $335m-$350m.”
As it had previously communicated, NMC's Long-term and Home Care vertical was exempt from the changes made to the co-payment on services.