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Abu Dhabi’s PureHealth Expands Its Global Reach With Greek And Cypriot Hospital Takeover

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 28, 2025

Abu Dhabi’s state-owned PureHealth Holding PJSC is set to acquire a 60% stake in the Greek healthcare giant Hellenic Healthcare Group (HHG) in a deal valued at around $2.3 billion. This move signals a major shift in the private healthcare sector in Greece and Cyprus.

CVC Capital Partners, currently holding a 35% stake in HHG, will retain its share. At the same time, the founder of the Greek healthcare provider will maintain the remaining ownership, according to the agreement’s details.

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The deal brings together HHG’s impressive portfolio, which includes some of Greece’s most renowned hospitals—Metropolitan, Hygeia, Metropolitan General, and Mitera—alongside key medical facilities in Cyprus, such as Apollonion Private Hospital, Aretaeio, and American Medical Center.

With this acquisition, PureHealth aims to drive growth by attracting more international patients and expanding its operations within Greece and Cyprus. The company has also indicated its interest in further acquisitions in the future.

PureHealth, with a market capitalization of around $11 billion, operates more than 100 hospitals and 300 clinics worldwide, employing over 56,000 staff. Recently, the company expanded its footprint by acquiring Circle Health Group, the UK’s largest private hospital network.

This acquisition aligns with PureHealth’s long-term strategy to generate half of its revenue from outside the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It also supports Abu Dhabi’s broader goals of diversifying its economy beyond oil and expanding its global healthcare presence.

HHG, established in 2018, currently operates 1,630 hospital beds across its network, serving over 1.3 million patients annually. With a workforce of more than 5,359 employees, the group also works with 6,662 doctors. In addition to its hospitals, HHG owns diagnostic centers such as HealthSpot and Platon Diagnosis, along with offering home healthcare services and medical equipment trading.

CVC first entered the Greek healthcare sector in 2017 by acquiring a majority stake in Metropolitan Hospital and has since expanded its portfolio with acquisitions of Iaso General Clinic and the Hygeia Group.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.