We first reported on it in September but selling Universal Health Services to doctors seems to have been harder than selling ice to polar bears - and after months of protracted negotiations, it's over: Universal is now owned by Belize Health Care Partners.
A release issued today says that, "Belize Health Care Partners, a U.S. consortium has entered into an agreement with Universal and their banker to acquire 100% of the assets of UHS." 100% of the assets - but what about the liabilities, like the $45 million that government - meaning taxpayers - are on the hook for? Well we don't know and we could not reach Dr. Venny the principal of Health Care Partners to elaborate. The release also does not say how much they paid for those assets. But the release does say that his group will be introducing oncology service - for cancer treatment, litho-tripsy for kidney stones and increased nehphrology services, which is dialysis and renal treatment.
Government has not issued any statement. Universal employees we spoke with today also did not know about the acquisition.
