Life Healthcare is pleased to announce that it has been entrusted by Fresenius Medical Care to take over 51 of its renal dialysis clinics to support their patients in South Africa.

“We are delighted to have been entrusted by Fresenius Medical Care to take over the renal care of their patients in southern Africa which will complement our existing renal dialysis services. As part of Fresenius Medical Care’s global dialysis provider portfolio optimisation, Life Healthcare will take over most of their renal services in southern Africa. It is therefore essential that their existing patient care plans continue uninterrupted and hence the role Life Healthcare has committed to,” says Adam Pyle, Life Healthcare’s southern African CEO.

Fresenius Medical Care as a global provider in renal care subscribes to and maintains the highest standards of clinical excellence which Life Healthcare has undertaken to maintain. Pursuant to these obligations Life Healthcare is acquiring the assets and operations of 51 clinics and all employees of those clinics being transferred to Life Healthcare.

Life Healthcare is leading the path towards introducing value-based care models in South Africa to enhance quality patient care, improved patient outcomes, positive patient experience and clinical efficiency. “As a result of our renal value-based care approach we have implemented an integrated renal care pathway programme and successfully negotiated our first renal-based care contract with South Africa’s leading medical scheme. It promotes improved patient outcomes and shared value, while providing the patient with the financial structure for the holistic care that they require”, says Pyle.

The 51 clinics will be integrated into Life Healthcare’s renal care programme which includes all patients being allocated a dedicated Renal Care Coordinator. “Our current patients are already benefiting from the programme which includes ongoing support and guidance about their condition and treatments including the coordination and management of various administrative functions that would otherwise be burdensome to them”, he said.

The acquisition will complement Life Healthcare’s existing acute and chronic renal dialysis services in South Africa. A coordinated and consultative approach over a twelve-month transitioning period will be implemented to ensure smooth onboarding of employees and nephrologists.