Burjeel Holdings Nine-Month Profit Rises 42% as Patient Visits Reach 5.8 Million

The results, reported by the UAE state news agency WAM, show profit growing much faster than sales. EBITDA excluding non-recurring items rose 21.3 per cent to AED892 million, and the margin widened to 24.4 per cent from 22.5 per cent a year earlier, as the group got more patients through existing facilities and kept a tighter grip on costs.

Cash generation improved more sharply still. Net cash from operating activities rose 217.4 per cent to AED775 million, helped by higher operating profit and better collection of receivables, partly offset by higher corporate tax payments. Free cash flow rose 154.1 per cent to AED750 million, a conversion rate of 87 per cent, and return on invested capital increased to 13.3 per cent from 11.8 per cent.

Patient visits totalled 5.8 million, up 13.1 per cent. Outpatient visits rose 13.2 per cent and inpatient visits 10.6 per cent. Outpatient utilisation reached 72 per cent, up 6.1 percentage points, with patient numbers growing faster than the number of doctors, and bed occupancy was 73 per cent across a network of 1,754 beds.

Hospitals Carry the Group

Hospital revenue rose 6.9 per cent to AED3.867 billion, or 89 per cent of the group total, and segment EBITDA excluding one-offs increased 18.1 per cent to AED927 million, with the margin improving to 24 per cent from 21.7 per cent. The company attributed the growth to sustained patient demand, better use of its assets, a larger contribution from advanced specialties including gastroenterology, paediatrics and orthopaedics, procurement savings and higher staff productivity.

At Burjeel Medical City, the group's flagship hospital, EBITDA rose 24.9 per cent to AED230 million, with the margin up to 22.3 per cent from 18.9 per cent. The medical centres business grew revenue 12 per cent to AED381 million, and its EBITDA excluding one-offs jumped 82.4 per cent to AED53 million as recently opened sites matured.

The nine-month figures compare with revenue of AED2.794 billion and net profit excluding one-offs of AED227 million in the first half, which implies a stronger third quarter. Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, chairman and chief executive of Burjeel Holdings, said patient numbers and revenue growth accelerated in the third quarter on the back of productivity gains, cost discipline and better use of capacity.

Vayalil said the group is building a more integrated and specialised care network, including bringing its affordable healthcare services under unified management and setting up a dedicated day-surgery platform. He said its plans include developing advanced treatments for complex cases and using artificial intelligence, research and international partnerships to give patients faster access to new medical solutions, while balancing clinical quality with financial performance.