The healthcare industry in Mauritius is on the verge of a major transformation, led by Falcon Healthcare Group and Artemis Medicare Services. Falcon Healthcare Group’s cutting-edge private hospital, Artemis Curepipe Hospital, is set to elevate medical services in Mauritius to new heights. In an exclusive interview with Investor’s Mag, the management team discuss their strategic partnership, vision for healthcare in Mauritius, and the highly anticipated launch of Artemis Curepipe Hospital in May 2023.
Nestled in the heart of Ebene’s One Exchange Square, the boardroom of Safyr Capital’s offices serves as the hub for a team of health experts from the renowned Mauritian-based Falcon Healthcare Group. As a shareholder in Falcon Healthcare, Safyr Capital has played a crucial role as the lead advisor in the Group’s capital raising exercise.
Safyr Capital Partners Ltd led the first tranche of the Group’s Multi-Currency Secured Green Note Programme, a bond programme aimed at financing the Group’s first hospital in Mauritius, Artemis Curepipe Hospital. The successful subscription and underwriting of the bond programme by Sanlam Group, a prominent financial services giant in Africa, was an affirmation of the capital markets’ belief in backing businesses that have the Mauritian people’s interests at heart.
“The opening of our first hospital in Curepipe is immediately creating more than 280 jobs. This is the impact we want to be contributing towards our Mauritian economy,” says Deva Marianen, Managing Director of Safyr Capital and Vice-Chairman of Falcon Healthcare Group.
With more than one billion dollars’ worth of transactions under their belt since its inception, Safyr Capital Partners has a proven track record of leading and facilitating successful transactions.
The funds raised through the bond programme will be allocated towards essential areas such as water and energy management, green procurement, and funding the hospital’s operations. Notably, the bond programme marks a significant milestone in the development of Mauritius’s healthcare sector, as it is the first-ever medical Green Bond issued on the island.
Safyr Capital Partners Ltd led the first tranche of the Group’s Multi-Currency Secured Green Note Programme, a bond programme aimed at financing the Group’s first hospital in Mauritius, Artemis Curepipe Hospital. The successful subscription and underwriting of the bond programme by Sanlam Group, a prominent financial services giant in Africa, was an affirmation of the capital markets’ belief in backing businesses that have the Mauritian people’s interests at heart.
“The opening of our first hospital in Curepipe is immediately creating more than 280 jobs. This is the impact we want to be contributing towards our Mauritian economy,” says Deva Marianen, Managing Director of Safyr Capital and Vice-Chairman of Falcon Healthcare Group.
With more than one billion dollars’ worth of transactions under their belt since its inception, Safyr Capital Partners has a proven track record of leading and facilitating successful transactions.
The funds raised through the bond programme will be allocated towards essential areas such as water and energy management, green procurement, and funding the hospital’s operations. Notably, the bond programme marks a significant milestone in the development of Mauritius’s healthcare sector, as it is the first-ever medical Green Bond issued on the island.
The opening of our first hospital in Curepipe is immediately creating more than 280 jobs…
Deva Marianen | Managing Director, Safyr Capital | Vice-Chairman, Falcon Healthcare Group
Artemis Curepipe, which is scheduled to start in May 2023, has been developed by real estate investor Gateway Real Estate Africa (GREA) on a 3,134m² area. It will be a multi-specialty hospital of 80 beds and is one of several initiatives that Falcon Healthcare Group is launching in its unwavering commitment to put Mauritius on the map as a regional medical hub.
Through their partnership with Artemis Medicare Services Ltd, a well-established and recognised company in India, Falcon Healthcare Group is committed to providing world-class medical services that include General Surgery, Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Urology, Critical Care, Neurosciences, Gastroenterology, Dental and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, and Aesthetics.
Providing outstanding medical talent and compassionate care
Vikram Dookayka, the Group Head of Operations at Artemis Curepipe Hospital and Falcon Healthcare Group, shares his positive outlook on the private healthcare sector in Mauritius with Investor’s Mag.
“The health sector in Mauritius witnessed a 7.2% growth in Growth Value Added (GVA) in 2022, which is a significant increase from the 5.1% recorded in 2021. Our aim is to cater to the growing demand for private healthcare services in Mauritius. Over the past few years, there has been a steady rise in demand for private healthcare services, particularly since the outbreak of the pandemic. This shift has paved the way for new players to join the market. We perceive this as an opportunity to accommodate the surge of patients opting for private healthcare”, says Vikram Dookayka.
Furthermore, since Artemis Curepipe Hospital has gained popularity and is reaching completion, many Mauritian doctors, operating abroad, are expressing their interest in returning to Mauritius. Vikram Dookayka, who has 20 years of experience in the medical field, revealed that he has been receiving a considerable number of inquiries from Mauritian doctors who are currently practising in Europe and South Africa.
“These healthcare professionals are now exploring the option of coming back to Mauritius to expand their services at the new clinic set up by Falcon Healthcare Group ”, says the Group Head of Operations.
With his insight and experience, he is confident that Artemis Curepipe Hospital and Falcon Healthcare Group will contribute significantly to the private healthcare sector in Mauritius.
Dr. Ashish Sharma, the Group Head of Business Strategy, disclosed Falcon Healthcare Group’s commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology and patient-centred care.
“As we explore this philosophy, we pinpoint gaps and search for solutions. This motivation has prompted us to create a state-of-the-art hospital that will provide the people of Mauritius with outstanding medical talent and compassionate care,” he elaborates.
He further emphasised that no other organisation in Mauritius can rival the international expertise accessible to the group through its partnership with the Artemis Group.
Dr. Sharma explains that Artemis Curepipe Hospital intends to change the trend observed in private hospitals in Mauritius, where typically 60% of the nursing staff are unqualified and 40% are qualified. He further stated that 60% of Artemis Curepipe Hospital’s nursing staff will be fully qualified, which will significantly elevate the standard of care provided.
Over the past few years, there has been a steady rise in demand for private healthcare services…
Vikram Dookayka | Group Head of Operations | Artemis Curepipe
The Leading Team’s objectives
Basil Kilian, who leads the commissioning of the Artemis Curepipe Hospital, highlighted the benefits of working closely with their international partner, Artemis. By collaborating, they can ensure a world-class platform for all doctors, drawing upon the expertise of both partners. Training for the hospital staff will commence in April, with a special focus on the nursing staff.
He notes, “Artemis will play a vital role in the training of the nurses, enabling them to meet the high standards required to enhance medical care across the island.”
In her role as Chief Nursing Officer of Artemis Curepipe Hospital, Mrs Sweety Pillay will oversee daily operational, administrative, and nursing tasks. She is committed to providing outstanding patient care and fostering a collaborative environment that inspires and motivates the nursing team.
“Our aim is to achieve the best quality and clinical outcomes for our patients, delivered by our compassionate and qualified nursing professionals. The patient is at the heart of our business, and our investment in cutting-edge technology complements our drive for patient-centric care,” says Sweety Pillay.
Artemis Curepipe Hospital and Falcon Healthcare Group are cultivating a professional atmosphere that encourages development, accountability, unity, and engagement among team members, which will ultimately benefit patients and their loved ones.
Mrs Neervana Sautron, newly appointed Head of People at Artemis Curepipe Hospital, is embarking on her first venture in the healthcare sector. She is determined to ensure an engaged workforce. “This will be my objective,” she states.
Mr Arunprasath G S, Group Head of Clinical/Biomedical Engineering at Falcon Healthcare Group, shares his enthusiasm for bringing top-of-the-line, modern healthcare to Mauritius. “We are introducing the latest technologies so that the people of Mauritius can benefit from them and receive the quality care they deserve. Our cutting-edge technology will also assist doctors in making accurate diagnoses and providing effective treatments quickly,” he explains.
Echoing this sentiment, Mr Asmed Eydatoula, Head of Technical, believes that Artemis Curepipe Hospital will be an asset to the people of Mauritius, providing high-quality healthcare services that are not currently offered by other organisations.
Mrs Raginee Aggarwal, Head of Hospitality, expresses pride in bringing innovative technology and affordable treatments to the country.
Our commitment is to ensure that everyone in Mauritius has access to the best healthcare with compassionate care…
Raginee Aggarwal | Head of Hospitality | Artemis Curepipe
“Our commitment is to ensure that everyone in Mauritius has access to the best healthcare with compassionate care. We want patients to experience world-class hospitality. At Artemis Curepipe Hospital, our main objective is patient care, which will be reflected in all our processes as they will be centred around the patient’s experience, making every process easy and administratively hassle-free,” says the Head of Hospitality.
Mrs Babita Prasad, Head of Quality, emphasises the importance of advanced technology and treatments at accessible costs.
“People tend to place great emphasis on the outcome when selecting a hospital, and I think Artemis Curepipe Hospital, with its state-of-the-art technology and treatments, is one of the finest in its category, providing a sense of assurance to patients,” she says.
Ravind Gaya, former President of the Pharmaceutical Association and current Head of Pharmacy at Artemis Curepipe Hospital, brings extensive experience in the pharmaceuticals industry in Mauritius. Having worked closely with the public sector on specific regulations and served nine years as President of the Pharmacy Association, he says, “I am in a prime position to ensure that all prescribed medications are obtained and administered to patients at a world-class level, knowing very well that quite a lot of drugs are not available in Mauritius”.