Financial Times

Durdans profits up 77 pct, expands bed capacity
Ceylon Hospitals Limited, which operates Durdans, has increased pre-tax profits by 77 percent to Rs 132 million in the 2004/05 financial year, its first full year of operations after being listed on the Colombo bourse, and plans to increase bed capacity by 25 percent in August this year.

The company, which will reach 60 years this year, would have an additional eight-bed Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the same time, increasing the hospital area by about 35,000 square feet. "Profits have been impressive," chairman Ajith Tudawe said in a statement. The firm's Healthcare Group had a consolidated revenue of Rs 910 million for 2004/05.

Tudawe attributed Durdans performance to the "judicious strategic decision-making process" ensuing over the last decade. "We are reaching sixty years this year knowing that we have played a significant role in the private healthcare sector of this country, even before Sri Lanka gained independence," Tudawe said. During the financial year, Durdans introduced a Dialysis Unit and set up a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

The Ophthalmology Unit, which performs the highest volume of cataract operations in the private healthcare sector, invested in a Carl Zeiss microscope and accessories including a laser therapy unit that will enable Durdans to perform advanced ophthalmology procedures.

"We are continuously evolving," Tudawe said, "evolving for the better, to give better service, more choice and better facilities to the people of Sri Lanka." The firm's phase 2 development project is due to begin in early 2006 and will be ready for operation in mid-2008.

"Once Phase II is launched, it will increase bed strength immensely, enhance service areas for patrons including three levels of parking, provide additional facilities for patients, doctors and nurses, expand training capacity and upgrade our health care facilities overall," Tudawe said.

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