According to Alpen Capital, the healthcare market in the UAE is projected to grow 12.7% CAGR to reach $19.5 billion in 2020. Keeping this in mind, Summertown Interiors has launched a dedicated healthcare division. Led by business development manager, Sarah Flowerday, the new division will service the growing need for specialist fit-out contractors to support the UAE’s high growth healthcare sector.

While there is a demand for both new build projects as well as upgrades to existing healthcare facilities, the industry is also facing unsustainable challenges. Supply chain issues, increasing healthcare insurance costs and the looming introduction of value-added tax are impacting the viability of existing healthcare operations. This has prompted several healthcare providers to consolidate their brands and focus on ways to create efficiencies across their facilities.

“The challenges the industry is currently facing are very similar to those we experienced in 2009 when the lack of knowledge, expertise, standards and good products held back the growth of the ‘green’ movement in the UAE. Today, our sustainability credentials give us an edge over other contractors in the market as we continue to leverage our existing strategic partnerships and implement our core values.” said Sarah Flowerday.

Marcos Bish, managing director of Summertown Interiors said: “We are delighted to welcome Sarah to our team to lead our new Healthcare Division. We have built our reputation on delivering high quality projects, with transparency and by implementing sustainable best practices. We look forward to delivering fit out solutions to the healthcare sector and to play our part in the sustainable development of the UAE.”