NMC Health placed under UK court supervision

Dubai: Abu Dhabi based NMC Health has been placed under the UK court's supervision. The court will now appoint administrators to oversee the whole management and operations of the UAE's largest healthcare operator.

The existing Board of Directors of NMC "cease to have decision-making powers with immediate effect". These powers transfer to the Administrators who are responsible for the day-to-day running of NMC.

But "all hospitals, medical centres, care facilities and other operations in the group are not subject to the administration procedure - so their current activities will not change," a statement issued Thursday confirmed. 

A court in the UK came into the picture because NMC Health is listed on London Stock Exchange, and thus bound by UK rules governing public companies. It listed on the LSE in 2012.

This follows an appeal filed by ADCB with the UK court for “joint administration” of NMC Health, after it was found that the hospital operator had $6.6 billion in bank debt and was in no position to pay it off.

UAE banks combined have exposures of Dh10 billion plus, with ADCB having the highest at Dh3.6 billion.

In a statement after the UK court ruled in favour, ADCB issued a statement: “ADCB and other key creditors have concluded that an administration process is the most suitable route to ensure a rescue and turnaround of NMC Health PLC and its subsidiaries.

“And to assure continuity of operations for patients, healthcare workers and other stakeholders. An administration is a process designed for a rapid business recovery and is therefore distinct from liquidation.

"The true picture of the financial difficulties faced by NMC only became apparent through a series of announcements by the Company since February 2020, including the uncovering of over $4 billion of previously undisclosed debts," ADCB said in a statement immediately after the UK court order.

"Contrary to the information the Group provided to ADCB and in breach of the various loan covenants and commitments, following these revelations, the Bank learned that it was among over 80 major regional and international financial institutions that extended credit to the Group."

Not on, but…

This position was contested by Faisal Belhoul, who had taken over as Executive Chairman, less than two weeks ago at NMC Health. He had said repeatedly these past few days that a company getting placed under administration would lead to value destruction.

But with new revelation of NMC’s overall perilous debt position. There were few takers among the banks to take up Belhoul’s position.

Even then, efforts were on until Wednesday to try and get ADCB to change its mind on joint administration. But late on Wednesday, Belhoul threw in the towel, stating that with no deal likely with ADCB, being placed under administration was the only option.

Expose them

ADCB’s stance on the subject was made clear in Thursday’s statement – “This proactive approach to place the Group in administration was taken in response to recent developments, including the revelation of previously undisclosed liabilities of over $4 billion, which suggests a significant risk of insolvency.

“NMC may have concealed material information from creditors, shareholders, rating agencies and regulators. It also recently disclosed suspected fraudulent activity, which has impacted the Group’s financial position and the interests of ADCB and other key stakeholders.”

Fraud, insolvency

That ADCB takes up the two words – fraud and insolvency – in the same statement shows the stance it is going to take. Banks may have started losing their patience with the gradual pace that internal investigations were taking place at NMC. (The investigations were announced well before Belhoul came into the picture by taking 9 per cent stake through one of his investment vehicles.)

Asset stripping and more?

With NMC in administration, will the focus be on trying to sell off those assets that are deemed as non-core and retain the hospitals and other healthcare services? In recent years, NMC had expanded into territories outside of the UAE, and had also made a string of high-profile acquisitions. (Some of these purchases were made paying “top-dollar” and far above their market value at the time, according to some bankers in the know.)

NMC currently has a staff strength of 15,000 plus across its network. Will there be a reduction in these staff numbers at some point is a question that is there on everyone’s minds. So far, NMC has managed to retain its core workforce of doctors, nurses and other key personnel.

Words of reassurance

ADCB was quick to make its stance clear on what next. "The Bank has committed to extend short-term working capital facilities to the Company when the joint administrators commence their work," the statement said. 

"ADCB would like to express its appreciation for the Group’s doctors, nurses and other critical care providers and employees, who are working tirelessly to serve local communities in challenging circumstances. The Bank will continue to coordinate with other creditors to support NMC at this critical time for the Group, its employees and patients."

NMC as a pioneer

Since its set up in the mid-1970s, NMC established its credentials as a key private healthcare business. Through the 1990s and the last decade, it cemented that position through a series of expansion, including multiple speciality hospitals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

It now has 194 medical facilities across 19 countries, according to the ADCB statement and has touched the “lives of the majority of UAE residents”.

NMC was also the flagship around which Dr. B.R. Shetty built up a business empire in the UAE and elsewhere. Now, with NMC going into administration – and a step away from full-scale insolvency – the UAE arm of that empire is in relative tatters.

The other arm, UAE Exchange Centre, is also under investigation, this time by UAE Central Bank.

And it only took three months and 15 days for the whole edifice to crack.