SINGAPORE (Aug 8): The manager of RHT Health Trust, has declared a DPU of 1.22 cents for 1Q18, 4.7% lower compared to the 1.28 cents declared in 1Q17.
RHT Health Trust Manager (RHTM) says 1Q18 saw total revenue of $24.1 million, 9.7% higher against $21.9 million in 1Q17. This was due to the contractual 3% increase in base fee, higher variable fee as a result of higher operating revenue recorded by Fortis Hospotel Limited (FHTL) as well as an increase in other income.
The higher operating revenue was led by an increase in Average Revenue Per Operating Bed (ARPOB) arising from the increase in number of specialty cases.
Net service fee and hospital income increased by 8.8% to $13.6 million in 1Q18 from $12.5 million in 1Q17 due to the growth in total revenue.
Total distributable income fell 2.9% to $10.4 million while distribution fell 2.9% to $9.9 million.
Gurpreet Dhillon, CEO of RHTM, says India’s healthcare industry has been growing steadily over the years.
With the recent implementation of GST in India, it is predicted that overall healthcare costs would increase as certain products and services would be taxed 5% to 18%, although healthcare per se has been exempted from GST.
“The full impact of GST on the Indian healthcare market is yet to be seen, although experts believe that the implementation of GST will have long term benefits on India’s economy. RHT will continue to monitor to impact of GST on our overall results over the upcoming quarters,” he adds.
Units in RHT Health Trust closed at 88 cents on Tuesday.
