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SEPTEMBER , 2022 | THE HEALTH
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KPJ Healthcare sells three hospitals for RM192m
AL- ’ AQAR Healthcare REIT is proposing to acquire three hospitals from KPJ Healthcare Bhd for RM192 million , to be paid in cash and new shares .
Both entities have a common major shareholder in Johor Corporation , which the Johore government owns , and are thus deemed related party transactions .
Johor Corp is a major unitholder of Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT with an indirect interest of 36.56 per cent . It is also a major shareholder of KPJ Healthcare with a 35.58 per cent direct interest and a 9.63 per cent indirect interest . Among Johor Corp ’ s core businesses are wellness and healthcare .
In a recent Bursa Malaysia filing , Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT said it was buying TMC Healthcare Centre Building in Taiping , Perak , for RM14.3 million cash and KPJ Seremban Specialist Hospital Building for RM84.7 million cash .
The REIT is also buying Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital in Johor for RM93 million , to be satisfied by a cash payment of RM67.99 million and the 20.5 million new units in the REIT at RM1.22 per unit .
Concurrently , with the purchases , Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT said its trustee ( Amanahraya Trustees Bhd ) and its manager ( Damansara REIT Managers Sdn Bhd ) have entered into lease agreements with the three KPJ Healthcare subsidiaries involved .
Following the acquisitions and leases of the three hospitals , the REIT ’ s portfolio size will increase to RM1.73 billion from RM1.54 billion .
“ The proposed acquisitions and proposed leases are expected to improve the future earnings of Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT , taking into consideration the additional rental income to be received from the properties , which is expected to translate into DPU ( distribution per unit ) yield accretion ,” it said .
Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT plans to raise RM138 million via a private placement of up to 118.97 million new units or 16.16 per cent of its total units , mainly to repay bank financing . The private placement investors will be identified later .
Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT ’ s total bank financing stood at RM690 million as of Aug 18 . The acquisitions and leases are expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022 , while the private placement is expected to be completed by the first half of 2023 .
Apart from Johor Corp , the Employees Provident Fund ( EPF ) is a major unitholder of Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT , with a direct interest of 11.31 per cent and a shareholder of KPJ with a direct stake of 12.7 per cent .
Lembaga Tabung Haji is also a major unitholder of Al- ’ Aqar Healthcare REIT , with a direct interest of 14.34 per cent and a shareholder of KPJ with a direct stake of 2.95 per cent .
Five hospitals to become sandbox sites
FIVE HOSPITALs in the country will serve as sandbox sites for new medical and healthcare technologies for start-up businesses and solution providers .
The National Cancer Institute Putrajaya and Putrajaya Hospital in Putrajaya , Tunku Azizah Hospital in Kuala Lumpur , Bera Hospital in Pahang , and Rembau Hospital in Negri Sembilan are among the five hospitals , according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin .
“ One reason why is simply the potential of the healthcare market . Another is that too much money is being spent on the curative side of healthcare . We need to shift some of that investment into keeping people healthy .
“ By the time people come to hospitals , they are already chronically ill , and it would be much better for any country to have preventive and promotive health strategies , and technology helps with this .”
Khairy was speaking at the launch of the Health Technology Hub at the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation ( MRANTI ) Park on Sept 2 , 2022 .
He said the Health Ministry and the Science , Technology and Innovation Ministry had created the test-bed environment through the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox ( NTIS ), which would provide the initial funding for companies and start-ups to commercialise their healthcare technology solutions .
“ It has to be a highly-regulated sector because it is a matter of life and death , and that is why we have all sorts of legislation and monitoring agencies related to healthcare .
“ Having said that , these legislations and institutions must not stand in the way of innovation but facilitate innovation through
Health Minister Khairy at the launch of the Health Technology Hub at the MRANTI Park , Bukit Jalil .
the sandbox .
“ Something that has not been registered yet can be deployed in a safe and controlled environment at our hospitals .”
In addition to enhancing medical and therapeutic treatment provision , Khairy asserted that the Health Technology Hub ’ s innovations would also enhance hospital support .
According to Science , Technology , and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba , health technology advancements can close gaps in access to high-quality healthcare and satisfy the nation ’ s expanding needs .
He said the NTIS Health Technology Hub would be joined by the MRANTI integrated healthcare cluster , covering an area of 4.04ha in MRANTI park .
“ This functions as a onestop centre to accelerate the implementation of highly innovative projects in various fields , including medicine and healthcare .”
Adham said the MRANTI integrated healthcare cluster consists of a hospital equipped with artificial intelligence technology , a research and development facility , and a hamlet for recovery and rehabilitation .
He stated that the ecology of MRANTI Park would provide complete support for the cluster .
The Ultimate DNA Test launched in Malaysia
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SUPERDNA SDN BHD , a genetic testing company , launched the Ultimate DNA Test on Sept 6 , 2022 .
Ultimate DNA Test provides the first Personal Whole Genome Sequencing ( WGS ) to the Malaysian public offering them an opportunity to learn about their bodies , the best options for specific health issues and thereby empowering them to make the best choices to live a healthy life .
This local privately held Direct to Consumer ( DTC ) Company aims to bring health and wellness measures closer to everyone .
SuperDNA utilises the world ’ s most comprehensive DNA sequencing technology , which conducts a full scan that analyses 100 per cent of the human DNA as compared to other genetic tests such as Genotyping Technology which only analyses 0.01 per cent of the DNA
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or the Whole Exome Sequencing ( WES ) technology which only looks into two per cent of the tested DNA .
SuperDNA Chief Scientific Officer Stefanie Chow said : “ When choosing a genetic test , it is critical to find out what genetic information you will get , and which technology the genetic testing providers use .
“ With the SuperDNA genetic test , our clients do not only get an analysis of 100 per cent of their DNA , but they also have access to a Genetic Counsellor , a Dietitian and a Nutritionist from SuperDNA at their disposal . SuperDNA is designed to provide ultimate service and support for anyone looking to make ideal choices to lead a healthier life .
The genetic testing kits offered by SuperDNA has three different options , allowing consumers to choose the
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best fit for their needs and goals . SuperDNA ’ s Essential Wellness Test offers a total of seven categories and a total of over 700 reports . The categories include Diet and Nutrition , Sports and Fitness , Personality , Lifestyle , Skin and Allergies .
The Complete test by SuperDNA provides information on 21 categories
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and over 1,300 reports . It includes everything in the Essential test plus reports on cancer risks , heart diseases , diabetes risk , brain and mental health , and Drug Response reports .
SuperDNA ’ s most comprehensive test is the Ultimate test . It provides data on 30 categories and over 1,700 reports . – The Health
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