Burjeel Holdings reported strong first-quarter results for 2026, posting a sharp rise in profit as patient demand, network expansion and growth in specialised healthcare services boosted performance despite regional disruptions and seasonal challenges.
The healthcare provider, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, said net profit climbed 44.5 per cent year-on-year to Dh57 million during the first three months of the year. Net profit margins improved to 4.2 per cent compared with 3.1 per cent in the same period last year.
Revenue reached Dh1.34 billion in the quarter, marking a 5.1 per cent increase from a year earlier. The company said growth came despite the earlier timing of Ramadan, adverse weather conditions and temporary disruptions linked to regional tensions in March.
When excluding the impact of the Unified Procurement Program, Burjeel said underlying revenue growth stood at 9.7 per cent year-on-year.
The group’s EBITDA rose 11.2 per cent to Dh201 million, while EBITDA margins improved to 15 per cent from 14.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2025. Burjeel attributed the stronger margins to procurement efficiencies, lower inventory costs and tighter management of operating expenses.
Operating cash flow also improved, rising 13.1 per cent to Dh161 million, with cash conversion reaching 65 per cent.
Patient activity remained strong across the network, with total patient volumes increasing 7.2 per cent year-on-year to 1.8 million during the quarter. Burjeel said demand was supported by specialised and essential care services, stronger market penetration and the gradual ramp-up of newly opened facilities across the UAE.
Outpatient visits increased 7.3 per cent, driven by demand in paediatrics, orthopaedics, internal medicine, IVF services and advanced diagnostics. Inpatient volumes grew 5.9 per cent despite the postponement of some elective procedures during March because of regional developments.
Hospitals continued to account for the largest share of the group’s business, generating Dh1.19 billion in revenue, or 89 per cent of total revenue. Hospital revenue rose 5.5 per cent year-on-year, supported by continued demand for general surgery, cardiology, orthopaedics and gastroenterology services.
The medical centres division also delivered strong gains. Revenue from the segment rose 9.3 per cent to Dh118 million, while outpatient visits across medical centres jumped 21.9 per cent following the opening of more than 16 new centres.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Shamsheer Vayalil said the results reflected the resilience of the company’s operations during a challenging regional period.
Burjeel maintained its growth outlook for the rest of 2026, citing continued expansion plans in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with a focus on specialised healthcare, digital transformation and improving efficiency across its network.
