China-based international conglomerate Swire Pacific has acquired a controlling stake in healthcare provider DeltaHealth China, becoming its major shareholder.

The acquisition is Swire Pacific’s first major investment in the healthcare sector and is part of its strategy to be a long-term owner and operator of healthcare services.

Swire Pacific originally invested in DeltaHealth in 2021 and subsequently signed definitive agreements to increase its stake in March this year.

DeltaHealth operates the cardiovascular-focused Shanghai DeltaHealth Hospital and DeltaWest Clinic, an outpatient facility, both located in Shanghai.

The healthcare provider has established strong core capabilities in cardiovascular care, with the Shanghai DeltaHealth Hospital ranking first among private hospitals and among the top ten of all hospitals in Shanghai for cardiovascular surgery volume last year.

In addition to cardiovascular care, DeltaHealth has recently expanded its services to include thoracic surgery and oncology.

Swire Pacific chairman Guy Bradley said: “We are very excited to be investing further into DeltaHealth and taking a controlling position.

“Demand for high-quality healthcare is growing rapidly as income and living standards rise, and we anticipate demand for the treatment of cardiovascular disease to increase in line with these developments.”

Healthcare is one of Swire Pacific's more recent target growth areas, with the company's core divisions being property, beverages and aviation.

The company aims to deliver sustainable growth in shareholder value through sound returns on equity over the long term, while returning value to shareholders through sustainable growth in ordinary dividends.

Its healthcare portfolio includes associate investments in Columbia China Healthcare and HEAL Medical Group, as well as the privately owned Shenzhen New Frontier United Family Hospital.

Swire Pacific recently extended its healthcare interests to South-East Asia by making an associate investment in Indonesia Healthcare Corporation, representing the company’s first healthcare investment in the region.