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BETHESDA,
MD, (October 21, 2004) - Bethesda, Maryland - Chindex International,
Inc. (NASDAQ:CHDX), a leading independent American provider of Western
healthcare products distribution and healthcare services in the People's
Republic of China, announced the opening of Shanghai United Family
Hospital and Clinics ("Shanghai United") Chindex's second hospital
in China and first in Shanghai. Based on the successfully proven model
of the company's flagship Beijing United Family Hospital and Clinics,
Shanghai United is a joint venture between Chindex and Changning Central
District Hospital .
An
official ribbon cutting ceremony was held today at the hospital in
Shanghai and drew the
attendance of many high level officials from China
and the U.S.,
including His Excellency, the Ambassador Clark T. Randt, Shanghai
Vice Mayor Yang Xiao Du, Shanghai Commissioner of Health Dr. Liu Jun,
and Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. of the State of Maryland
, as well as numerous business leaders.
Shanghai
United is located in the Hongqiao area of Shanghai
and will open to provide
medical services during the week following the ribbon cutting ceremony.
With its 50-bed facility, Shanghai United is the first wholly
international standard hospital in Shanghai
that will offer a full range of inpatient and
outpatient services under one roof. The medical staff is comprised
of expatriate physicians, complemented by internationally trained
local specialists. A joint membership program for the United
Family Hospital
network will be introduced, enabling members
to have easier access to both the Shanghai
and Beijing hospitals,
and to receive similar benefits at both locations without the need
to re-register.
Chindex
President and CEO, Roberta Lipson, commented at the opening ceremony,
"The opening of Shanghai United marks the next step in our strategy
to expand our hospital and unique health services network. We
are honored by the guests who have joined us today to celebrate both
the occasion and our aim to provide world-class facilities and services
to Shanghai ."
Governor
Robert Ehrlich of Maryland congratulated Chindex on its achievement,
"The opening of Shanghai United demonstrates how the pioneering
and successful business model of the Beijing United hospital can be
brought to other cities in China. I am very proud of how Chindex
Inc., which is based in Maryland , has leveraged its vast experience
in China to build a nation-wide international
standard health care network."
Andrew
S. Nevin, PhD, President and General Manager of Chindex's United Family
Hospital division commented on the development strategy: "The United
Family Hospital network is based on a national hospital administration
organization and integrated clinical operations in the primary facilities.
Our strategy is for satellite feeder clinics associated with
each facility to expand the geographic reach within each metropolitan
area. This system not only offers international healthcare services
to the expatriate community, but extends this quality of service into
the huge local Chinese market. We believe that the system offers
tremendous growth potential."
After
his tour of the hospital earlier today, Dr. Liu Jun, Shanghai Commissioner
of Health praised the project as a success. " I believe this
project will improve the overall healthcare environment and accelerate
the development of the healthcare sector in Shanghai.
I believe that Shanghai United
Family Hospital
will meet the high expectations of patients,
healthcare professionals and the government. This hospital will
make a positive contribution to the reform of the city and its economy
by improving the healthcare environment."
Similar
to Chindex's Beijing United Family Hospital, Shanghai United will
introduce and offer the complete spectrum of international standard
inpatient and outpatient healthcare services, including 24/7 emergency
services staffed by expatriate physicians; primary care (including
counseling services); and pediatrics, surgery, dentistry, alternative
medicine, gynecology and a Western style birthing center.
About
Chindex International, Inc.
Chindex
is an American company operating in several healthcare sectors of
the Chinese marketplace, including Hong
Kong . It provides
representative and distribution services to a number of major multinational
companies including Siemens AG (ultrasound systems), and Guidant (interventional
cardiology products including stents, balloon catheters and guide
wires). Its distribution channels to the retail pharmacy industry
in China
have been developed through a relationship with a major multinational
cosmetics manufacturer. It also provides healthcare services through
the operations of its private hospital corporation in China
. With twenty-three
years of experience, over 700 employees, and operations in the United
States , China
and Hong
Kong , the Company's
strategy is to expand its cross-cultural reach by providing leading
edge technologies, quality products and services to Greater China's
professional communities. Further company information may be
found at the Company's websites, www.chindex.com
and www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
.
The
statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events
or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining
to the Company's (i) successful marketing and distribution of new
products, (ii) performance goals, including successful conclusion
of efforts to secure government-backed financing, (iii) future events
and earnings, including revenues from the Company's developmental
businesses such as healthcare services, (iv) markets, including growth
in demand in China for the Company's products and services, and (v)
proposed new operations, including expansion of its healthcare services
business. Actual results, events and performance may differ materially.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes
no obligation to release publicly the result of any revisions to these
forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events.
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