Thai hospitals plagued by international patient slowdown

International patients dropped by 3-8% in 2Q.

Patients from abroad are not quite visiting Thailand for medical treatment like they used to, according to analysts.

A report from Maybank Kim Eng noted that international patients visiting the country dropped by 3-8% yoy, with particular weakness in the Middle East market because of improving hospital infrastructure in the region and 12 additional days of Ramadan in 2Q16.

“BDMS’s patient traffic growth fell to the lowest in eight quarters. BH reported volume contraction for the second consecutive quarter,” the report noted.

Meanwhile, the report added that revenue per admission/OPD visit could rise 1%/5% for Bangkok Dusit Medical Services and 7%/4% for Bangkok Hospital.

“Thus, pricing power is being eroded by the contraction in volume,” the report noted.