With an aim of expanding its dialysis care network, world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services Fresenius Medical Care has acquired a 70% share of Guangzhou KangNiDaiSi Medical Investment Co., Ltd, which focuses on dialysis and related chronic disease services.

KangNiDaiSi has three independent hemodialysis centres under construction in the cities of Guangzhou and Zhaoqing in Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong in southeast China. A proposed fourth center in Guangzhou awaits government approval.

Fresenius Medical Care also acquired 55% stakes in Henan Aishen Hospital Management Co. Ltd (Henan Aishen) and Aishen Beijing Hospital Management Co., Ltd (Aishen Beijing). Henan Aishen and Aishen Beijing are building 13 dialysis centres and a grade I renal hospital to complement the dialysis care network that will cover Henan, Shandong, Guangdong and Hainan provinces. There are further plans to expand into new locations in the future.

In addition, the company has taken a 60% share of Daqing Kangda Dialysis Center Co., Ltd in Heilongjiang province.

The acquisitions follow the purchase of Yunnan Kunming Wuhua Healthcare Hospital in April 2017, and the acquisition of a 70% share of Sichuan Hejiang Kangcheng Renal Hospital in June 2018 as well as the acquisition of a 70% share of Sichuan Ziyang Zhongxin Hospital, both located in the Sichuan province.

Rice Powell, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care, said: “Fresenius Medical Care is committed to improving access to world-leading dialysis technology and chronic disease management services for the more than 120 million people in China who are living with chronic kidney disease. These acquisitions mark an important strategic step in our business development in China. As the second largest product market, China is already today an important business growth driver for Fresenius Medical Care. We have been continuously investing in enhancing our product range within the local market. We have also started to enter the provider business to introduce advanced dialysis services and operations management in China.”

Harry de Wit, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care Asia-Pacific said, “As a leading provider of dialysis products and services in China, we are eager to work with other companies that are dedicated to elevating the treatment of kidney disease in this huge country. In particular, we focus on increasing access to treatment in rural areas, where there have traditionally been fewer options for patients.”

“We strive to introduce our world-leading chronic disease management system and high-quality dialysis treatment services throughout the country. And we will continue to search for opportunities to partner with institutions from the public and private sectors and invest in new dialysis centres and renal hospitals”, he added.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China is 10.8% of the adult population, which equates to more than 120 million people. According to research conducted by the Chinese Society of Nephrology, there currently are one million ESRD patients registered in China, but only around 500,000 receive dialysis treatment.