IHH getting into China



IHH Healthcare Bhd's unit, Parkway (Shanghai) Hospital Management Ltd, has secured a licence to establish a foreign wholly-owned enterprise reinvestment clinic in China.

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia yesterday, IHH said Parkway had on April 22, 2014 received the business licence from Suzhou New District (Hu Qiu) Administration of Industry and Commerce for the clinic, named Suzhou Xin Hui Clinic Co Ltd.


The licence was valid from April 22, 2014 to April 21, 2034 and has capital of RMB3 million (RM1.57 million) capital.

The Xin Hui Clinic will provide medical and healthcare outpatient services.

"The establishment of Xin Hui Clinic is not expected to have a material effect on the earnings or net assets of the IHH Group for the current financial year ending Dec 31, 2014," IHH said.


/theSUNdaily 24-04-2014

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Ringgit Expects To Trend Lower by Year-End



The Malaysian Ringgit is expected to trade lower towards the year-end due to the outflow of emerging currencies, including the local unit, to the United States and Europe following the economic improvement in both these geographies, says Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER).

Executive Director Dr Zakariah Abdul Rashid said the Ringgit's exchange rate has depreciated by approximately seven per cent since May last year.
 
"The Ringgit is now undervalued and some correction should be taken to ensure the Ringgit can achieve its stable level," Dr Zakaria told reporters after the 19th Corporate Economic Briefing here on Thursday.

He expects the Ringgit to fluctuate between RM3.26 and RM3.30 against the greenback this year.

Yesterday, the local unit closed at RM3.26 versus the dollar.

Zakaria said the downside movement of the Ringgit would not impact investor sentiment but benefit them.

On the domestic front, inflation has accelerated in the first three months of the year as inflationary pressures continue to build up.

"Further increase is expected in consumer prices "Some mitigation measures must be undertaken to tackle the instability in the prices of goods, as well as, household finance, especially to prevent the spiraling of cost of living," he said.

Following this, MIER is revising downwards Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product growth forecast for 2014 to 5.3 per cent from its initial target of 5.5 per cent.

He said the figure was quite reasonable after taking into account the stronger fiscal consolidation process, tighter monetary policy stance and better-than-expected global market environment.


/Bernama 24-04-2014

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KPJ Healthcare: Expects RM 2.5 billion in 2014



Healthcare service provider, KPJ Healthcare Bhd expects its revenue to hit RM2.5 billion this year as it continuously builds up its capacity.

President/Managing Director, Mr Amiruddin Abdul Satar said the company and the industry would continue to enjoy stable growth in Malaysia.

"A 10 per cent revenue growth for the current financial year would be achievable as KPJ strengthens its presence in Malaysia and Asia by continuously building capacity through expansion of existing hospitals as well as building new hospitals," he said.

KPJ posted an unaudited 2013's revenue of RM2.3 billion, he said.

Amiruddin said KPJ has a dominant foothold in Malaysia with 25 hospitals, and also established presence overseas with two hospitals in Indonesia, a geriatric centre in Australia and a significant stake in the Vejthani Hospital in Thailand.

He said KPJ has engaged IBM Malaysia Sdn Bhd to consolidate and centralise its computing infrastructure on a private cloud.

As part of the engagement, IBM would also need to build a disaster recovery system for KPJ to ensure data protection and business continuity, he said.

The RM70 million investment on the new private cloud-enabled infrastructure would allow KPJ to operate at a reduced cost and with greater efficiency, reliability and flexibility, he said.

On the group's hospitals updates, he said KPJ is targeting to open a 30-bed hospital in Muar before end-June and is planning to start construction of its flagship hospital Bandar Datuk Onn Specialist Hospital in the Iskandar region in Johor.

"It (Bandar Datuk Onn Specialist Hospital) is to be opened in the next two years, targeting foreign patients, mainly from Singapore and Indonesia," he said.

KPJ is also constructing the Pahang Specialist Hospital and the KPJ Perlis Specialist Hospital. It plans to start construction of the land it acquired in Malacca before year-end and has called for tender to commence construction for its hospital in Miri, Sarawak.

"We're also expanding hospitals that have reached a maximum capacity, which are KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital and KPJ Seremban Specialist Hospital

/Bernama 21-04-2014
 


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Caring Pharmacy Group: Forecast



As part of the group’s expansion plan, Caring is targeting up to 120 outlets by 2016, from the current 97 outlets.

Hong Leong Investment Bank (Hong Leong IB) forecast the setting up of 12 to13 new outlets per annum in the financial year 2015 (FY15) and FY16, which is expected to underpin double-digit prospective revenue and earnings growth, based on its estimates.

As at April, Caring has 97 pharmacies nationwide. In terms of number of outlets, Caring is ranked third after Cosway and Guardian, with an estimated market share of 4%. No single operator controls more than 7% of the market. Within the Klang Valley, Caring has a share of 8%.

Its catalysts are the successful implementation of outlet expansion plans over the next few years to sustain medium to longer-term growth.

FY15 forecast price-to-earnings ratio of 17 times, is on par with other domestic market-oriented retail pharmacy chain operators in the region.

/theSTAR  21-04-2014


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Malaysia: Orthopaedics - Improved Care



The Ministry of Health will invest large sums of money to upgrade facilities and manpower for treatment of spinal problems.

There are currently 248 orthopaedic specialists, including 52 sub-specialists and 31 sub-specialist trainees in Malaysia.

The Kuala Lumpur, Raja Permaisuri Bainun and Sungai Buloh hospitals each have two spinal orthopaedic trainees and one in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu.

There are eight spine orthopedic surgeons, one each at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Umum Sarawak Hospital, Sultanah Aminah, Pulau Pinang, Raja Perempuan Zainab Hospital, Sg Buloh Hospital and two in Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh.

The Ministry of Health will continue to spend large sums of money in training and purchase of equipment such as spinal monitoring systems, navigation equipment and specialised operating tables, along with specialised instruments needed for improved patient care. This is according to the Minister of Health when he declared open an "International Minimally Invasive Spine (MIS) Congress" in March 2014.

Purchases of orthopaedic equipment in 2012 totalled RM3.9 million while it was RM4.7 million in 2013.

He said outpatient numbers at orthopaedic clinics had increased from 770,150 in 2010 to 829,472 in 2011 and the number of inpatients also increased from 122,736 in 2010 to 130,469 in 2011.

/17-04-2014


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Malaysia: "Cancer" Hospitals



The RM693 million National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sited near the Putrajaya Hospital in Precinct 7, is equipped with comprehensive, sophisticated and cutting edge equipment to treat and manage cancer patients. NCI was operational since late 2013.

According to the Minister of Health, YB Dato Seri Dr Subramaniam, there will be 20 cancer specialists stationed at NCI with a staff strength of 400 encompassing all levels.

He also said NCI would be a prestigious referral centre for the treatment of cancer and care for cancer patients, training, research and prevention.

He said the 252-bed NCI also had a Nuclear Waste Treatment System of international standards for gathering and disposing of radioactive waste.

Further, the NCI is also equipped with an Intensive Care Unit, four operation theatres, Oncology Daily Treatment Unit, and outpatient clinics for oncology, nuclear medicine and a multidisciplinary clinic.

Dr Subramaniam said NCI would have a comprehensive ICT system or Total Hospital System (THIS) with the element of the Oncology Information System(OIS), being the first in the country.

THIS can be integrated online with two other nearby hospitals, Putrajaya and Serdang, to ease management of patients.

According to the statistics of the National Cancer Registry Malaysia, in 2007 alone 18,219 new cancer cases were identified, and death due to cancer in 2006 stood at 10.59 per cent compared to 7.37 percent in 1975.

There are only four other government hospitals providing cancer treatment services viz: Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Sultan Ismail Hospital (Johor), Likas Hospital (Sabah) and the Sarawak General Hospital (Kuching).

/17-04-2014  


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Malaysia: Inbalance of Hospital beds



Lack of beds is the main cause for overcrowding in many hospitals, especially in urban areas.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said there are about 42,000 beds in government hospitals, at a bed to patient ratio of 1.9 : 1,000 There are more than 30,000 beds in private hospitals.

"If possible, we hope to increase the number of beds to 70,000 in government hospitals to ease the overcrowding, especially in major hospitals," he told reporters after officiating the Healthcare Forum 2014, "Addressing the Needs of a Changing Citizenry" at Sunway Resort Hotel and Spa.

Subramanian said some hospitals, especially in urban areas, record 100% occupancy most of the time while those in rural areas are low.

The hospitals that face high bed occupancy rates are in Klang, Kajang, Ipoh, and Penang.

"We are aware of the problem and although we would like to add more beds, the constraint is a lack of funds," said Subramaniam.

He said Selangor and Federal Territory need more hospitals to meet the high population density.

"I must admit that the Ministry faces challenges in building more clinics and hospitals. But with what we have, we give the best treatment options for patients," said Subramaniam.

He said the Health Ministry received an allocation of RM 22 billion last year, with only RM 1.9 billion channelled for development to build hospitals, clinics and purchase medical equipment.

Of the total allocation, RM2.2 billion was channelled for free medication for those in the low-income group and the rest for operational purposes, including salaries for the 150,000 staff.

Source: theSUNdaily/15-04-2014



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Malaysia: Plans for better public health service



The Health Ministry is preparing two master plans – Healthcare Facility Master Plan and Health Human Resource Master Plan – to overcome the problem of hospital congestion and to better locate new hospitals in the areas that they are most needed.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S.Subramaniam said the master plans are needed to overcome patient congestions in wards by increasing the number of beds per population.

"It also has to be associated with the other infrastructure, such as equipment, other support facilities and the required workforce," he said when delivering his keynote address at the Asli Healthcare forum 2014 themed "Addressing the needs of changing citizenry" on 16th April 2014.

He said the Health Human Resource Master Plan, which is intended to to identify the projected workforce numbers required, will also include the training and education needs, and the career path in order to overcome current shortages and to meet the future needs of the country .

The Ministry is looking into the problem of overcrowding at government health facilities apart from reviewing treatment charges for foreign workers at public hospitals as per the decision made at the Economic Council Meeting.

Subramaniam also stressed that the Ministry is focusing on curative aspects and creating awareness on the need for Malaysians to take more responsibility for their health, especially with Malaysia now having the highest prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in the Asean region.

He said the current and next Malaysia plans will continue to focus on prevention and promotion of healthcare in efforts to reduce the exposure to NCD risk factors.

Source: theSUNdaily/16-04-2014

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Software: SFA



I was at a business presentation recently where a Vendor was pitching for an order for his "SFA" software to the Management Team of a Company.

I was impressed with the capability and the traction that the software could provide to accelerate, follow through and capture the success of the sales process and results. This software will definitely provide the Team with a competitive edge in performance and servicing of its customers.

But what is SFA? SFA (Sales Force Automation) is typically part of a company’s customer relationship management system which automatically records all the stages in a sales process.

It includes a 1) contact management system which tracks all contacts that had been made with a given customer, the objective of the contact, and any follow up that may be needed 2) background info and profile of each customer for enhancement and strengthening of  customer relationship 3) sales lead tracking system, which lists potential customers or customers of related products 4) product quotation, sales forecasting, order management 5) statistic capability for individual or team in conversion of sales calls and quotations to performance productivity 6) system capability in mass mailing of product promotion to targeted audience.

An integral part of any successful system is the integration of different functional departments within the organisation. If this is not properly integrated, there is a possibility of disconnect, which will negatively affecting the power and the usefulness of the system. 

The SFA software, is just a tool and like all tools, unless it is intelligently and properly understood, supported and implemented by the Company, it will not be able to deliver the expected results in sales, service and revenue performances.

Thus, there must be a "desire" and "ownership" by the users in the Company before any productive software be purchased.

/15-04-2014


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"DEED"



When I was having my evening walk earlier on, the acronym "DEED" just popped into my mind. I was struggling to remember what this stands for? And which part of my career was this acronym being used? And in what perspective.

Finally after some anguish moments, which I thought, I would never be able to recall, it came out.

DEED was "used" during the time when I was receiving disease management training in diabetes care.

D = Drug therapy, E = Education, E = Exercise, D = Diet

Obviously drug (D) is prescribed to patients to control blood glucose level in diabetic patients when the glucose level remains persistently above a certain critical measurement.

The best approach in treating any disease is to prevent the onset of the disease in the first place. Have you heard of "Prevention is better than Cure?" What is the best way to prevent?

Education is the way forward. The public needs to know "What is the disease condition and what is the aetiology?" With adequate knowledge of the potential damage the disease could impact on the overall well-being and quality of life of the person, the person would be ready to take upon himself to prevent or manage the potential risk of acquiring the disease.

Exercise and Diet would be as important for prevention as well as managing those individual who has already being impacted by the disease. With both additional dimensions, the disease would be better controlled and the onset of other complications eg stroke, retinopathy, nephropathy prevented or delayed.

The concept of "DEED" is important as there is a drive by the WHO and national Health Authorities to manage the escalation of Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) the world over.

Thus in implementing "DEED", various Authorities within the country has to work with the Health Authority in the specified country eg the education ministry has to be part of the Committee for NCD work group.


/12-04-2014

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Hovid sells India unit stake.



Hovid Bhd is disposing its 51% stake in Indian pharmaceutical and consumer products company, Biodeal Pharmaceuticals Pte Ltd (BPPL) for 102 million Indian rupees (RM5.6mil).

In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, Hovid said it would make RM986,000 from the share sale.

It also expected its gearing to improve as BPPL’s liabilities, which included unsecured loans of RM5.79mil would no longer be included in the group.

BPPL made losses of RM112,000 and RM109,000 in financial years 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Hovid said it intended to use the proceeds for working capital.

Source: the STAR 09-04-2014

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World Bank: East Asia GDP to grow 7.1% in 2014



Developing countries in East Asia will record economic growth of 7.1% this year, as they benefit from a stabilising global economy and withstand the impact of US stimulus cuts.

The estimate for gross domestic product (GDP) expansion remains unchanged from last year, making East Asia the world’s fastest-growing region, the bank said in its East Asia and Pacific Economic Update report. However, the 7.1% forecast growth rate for this year represents a slowdown from an average growth rate of 8% from 2009 to 2013.

Growth in regional powerhouse China will ease to 7.6% from 7.7% as it undergoes structural reforms. Excluding China, the developing countries in the region will grow by 5%, down from 5.2% last year.

“East Asia Pacific has served as the world’s main growth engine since the global financial crisis,” said Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank East Asia and Pacific regional vice- president.

“Stronger global growth this year will help the region expand at a relatively steady pace while adjusting to tighter global financial conditions,” he added in a statement.The bank said the region’s reaction to the US Federal Reserve’s decision to begin scaling back its quantitative easing programme demonstrated how “flexible currencies will help East Asia deal with external shocks including potential capital-flow reversals”.

“In addition, most countries have adequate reserves to cover temporary trade and external shocks,” it said. Despite a major sell-off in emerging markets earlier this year, Asia-Pacific economies have withstood the initial capital outflow risks resulting from the Fed’s move.

“The tailwinds from improving global trade will offset the headwinds from the tightening of global financial markets,” the report said.

Bert Hofman, the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific chief economist, said risks remain for the region. “A slower-than-expected recovery in advanced economies, a rise in global interest rates, and increased volatility in commodity prices on account of recent geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe serve as reminders that East Asia remains vulnerable to adverse global developments,” he said.

Larger South-East Asian economies, including Indonesia and Thailand, will face tougher global financial conditions and higher levels of household debt, the report said.

Thailand, projected to grow 3% this year compared with 2.9% in 2013, will face slowing domestic demand due to a protracted political crisis, it said. “Continued political instability have been distracting government, in Thailand, from focusing on long-term development issues such as improving skills and competitiveness,” it said.

It said an ongoing slowdown in foreign direct investment into Indonesia could be partly explained by investors sitting on the sidelines ahead of the country’s upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections. Indonesia’s economy is forecast to expand 5.3% this year, a slowdown from last year’s 5.8%.

Growth in the Philippines could slow to 6.6% from 7.2% last year, but accelerating reconstruction spending is likely to offset the drag on consumption following a series of major natural disasters in 2013, the bank said.

Malaysia’s GDP is likely to grow 4.9% this year, faster than last year’s 4.7% expansion and within the 4.5% to 5.5% growth range indicated by Bank Negara for this year.

Source: FMT 07/04/2014


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Pharmaniaga with Saudi firm to build RM120mil factory in Riyadh



Pharmaniaga Bhd is teaming up with Modern Group, one of the largest companies in Saudi Arabia, to build a RM120mil manufacturing plant in Riyadh.

Pharmaniaga chairman Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin said the 50:50 joint venture was part of the company’s strategy to accelerate the growth of its pharmaceutical business and to capture the rapidly growing opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

The company expects to fork out RM60 million over the next five years as an initial investment outlay for its 50% stake in the joint venture. Modern Group will hold the other 50%. Construction work on the facility will take three years, and it is to be operational by 2017.


When asked whether there are more expansion plans in the pipeline, Lodin said that the company is always lookout for opportunities, but currently confines it to South East Asia and the Middle East market.

"We believe that for Asean, the potential for various types of generic drugs or halal drugs and herb-based drugs is tremendous. We are looking into countries like Myanmar, possibly Vietnam, the Philippines or even Thailand ," he added. "Now we have completed the acquisition of PT Errita Pharma in Indonesia , allowing us to go big way into Indonesia."

“At the same time, we are looking at enhancing our retail pharmacy outlets.  At present, we have one in Shah Alam under the Royale Pharma brand.

"Having drug stores at petrol stations is something new, I don't think there are many drug stores at the petrol stations nationwide," Lodin said. Its current arrangement to dispense ethical drugs is through alliances with standalone pharmacies. "Currently we have 20 alliances and we're looking for more," said Lodin, adding that it helps individual pharmacy outlets to reduce operational costs by using the " Royal Pharma Pharmacy" brand.

“We are now working closely with several organisations and companies to see if we can establish more outlets in the country.”

He added that Pharmaniaga’s parent company, Boustead group, owned and operated more than 300 petrol kiosks nationwide and soon all these locations would be selling the Royale Pharma products.

"We hope the non-concession's revenue contribution will increase further from 21% as of 2013, but as we grow local business at the same time, the contribution from the overseas markets is likely to remain flat at around 20% in terms of revenue contribution percentage."

Concession business is still the biggest revenue contributor for the company and contributing nearly 60% of total revenue.

Pharmaniaga reported a lower pre-tax profit of RM93mil for the year ended Dec 31, 2013, down 10% from RM103mil previously.

However, its revenue rose to RM1.9bil from RM1.8bil a year ago.

This was attributable to strong contributions from the group’s non-concession business and organic growth in the concession business as well as new tenders that it secured.

Meanwhile, Pharmaniaga has budgeted a minimum of 5% of manufacturing revenue for reserach and development work on Kacip Fatimah phyto-medicine. "Clinical stage is important before we can distribute the product." Pharmaniaga started planting Kacip Fatimah in 2011 at its landbank in Kedah.
 
Source: Bernama 03-04-2014 


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Fix it, Sell it or Close it!



Often times we hear of a business, which due to sentimental reason, continues to be run the way it was first started "generations ago".

Hard to believe? Well, if we open our eyes to our surrounding, you would not fail to see many "mom's and pop's' business", may they be the corner bicycle shop, grocery outlet, bakery, eateries etc, they still exist today. You may find them more in the suburbs then in city centres.

Thankfully many of these "mom's and pop's business", had moved on, when the businesses were taken over by the more educated children either through inheritance or acquisition by third parties.

Some of these "mom's and pop's business" had also died "a natural death" due to the passing away of the owners as the family members do not show interest in continuing the business or they become "non-relevant" to today's demand or due to higher cost that the business cannot be sustained!

Like in Hong Kong, for example, small well-known family managed eateries had "disappeared". Many of these were "squeezed out" of their respective business premises due to higher rental and other related cost. What a pity!

Thus, there is a need for many of these "mom's and pop's business" to do some quick thinking to either "fix it, sell it or close it!"

To an entrepreneur, this present opportunity to buy and own a running business as some of these are known brands/outlets which could be further developed for growth and with infusion of a small capital/finance and some basic management knowledge and skills.

In Malaysia, we had also witnessed, some years ago, a small family but high traffic grocery store acquired by a business conglomerate, developed into a big chain of successful grocery stores today.

Does similar opportunity exist today? Can it still happened today? I am sure it does as there are still opportunities waiting to be tapped if we scout around and willing to invest time, effort and capital.







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