ADQ to merge its healthcare support services entities

ADQ, one of the region’s largest holding companies with a broad portfolio of major enterprises spanning key sectors of Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy, signed an agreement to merge its healthcare support services entities, Rafed and Union71, within Pure Health, an integrated healthcare solutions provider in the United Arab Emirates with a diversified services portfolio of hospital management, laboratory services and medical supplies.

Under the terms of the agreement, ADQ will transfer its ownership of Rafed and Union71 to Pure Health and receive a stake in the new end-to-end healthcare services leader providing hospital management, medical screening, lab testing and healthcare procurement. The company will be well positioned to serve hospitals, integrated healthcare systems, healthcare suppliers, the federal government, and others across the spectrum of care throughout the UAE.

Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of ADQ, said: “By merging Rafed and Union71 within Pure Health, we continue advancing ADQ’s strategy to grow a provision-centred healthcare and pharma cluster that delivers clinical excellence, optimal healthcare system spend and effective population health management in the UAE. This transaction provides a unique opportunity to create a platform for healthcare support services with greater scale and further synergies in delivering reliable and innovative medical screening and lab testing, medical equipment distribution and group purchasing organisation services.”

He added: “As Rafed and Union71 prepare to grow beyond servicing Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), their merger within Pure Health will allow for higher volume throughput across a broader repertoire of tests and value-driven, centralised healthcare procurement services that will service the needs of healthcare providers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates.”

Farhan Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Pure Health, commented: “Pure Health has become one of the largest healthcare contributors in the UAE, demonstrated through our commitment to excellence and enhancing the quality of care and patient experience in the UAE. As an established lab operator, and now a trusted healthcare partner in hospital management, we are pleased and excited to be broadening our services portfolio under the new merger with Rafed and Union71. We are confident that ADQ’s large healthcare and pharmaceutical portfolio and access to the Abu Dhabi healthcare market will grow our operations and reach across the UAE healthcare ecosystem.”

Malik observed: “People are at the heart of what we do, and at Pure Health we are on a journey to make healthcare efficient by making people live healthier through population health management, where Pure Health will play a key role in preventive health care through early diagnostics, personalized medicine, empowered by healthcare informatics and digital intelligence.” Pure Health manages a network of hospitals, medical visa screening services and 120 laboratories in the UAE; making it the largest laboratory operator in the GCC. Part of becoming a healthcare support services leader, Pure Health is further enhancing its services through the launch of radiology, dialysis and revenue cycle management services. With strict adherence to high quality standards, Pure Health follows international standards for Quality Management and is accredited through stringent requirements by international bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI), and the International Standards organisation (ISO). Additionally, it is the authorised distributor for some of the top brands in the medical supplies business.

Rafed was formed to ensure the availability and quality of essential goods and services to Abu Dhabi’s healthcare sector, which include pharmaceuticals, equipment, diagnostics and consumables, thereby reducing the operating costs of healthcare providers. Rafed primarily specialises in healthcare procurement which include supplier sourcing and contract management, procurement ordering services, warehousing and distribution.

Union71 offers a wide spectrum of testing services, with the long-term aim of supporting clinical workflow through timely, accurate and quality data, building upon ISO15189 and CAP standards. Union71 have complex lab testing capabilities, sub-specialty consultant pathologists, experienced technologists and equipment that is not readily available in other labs in the region, as well as the ability to ramp up quickly during emergency situations.

The merger of Rafed and Union71 within Pure Health will create a robust and synergetic healthcare organisation, thereby elevating the UAE’s global position as a leader in healthcare.

The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

 ADQ is one of the region’s largest holding companies with direct and indirect investments in more than 90 companies locally and internationally.