In an interview in the Budapest Business Journal, Hungary’s FirstMed Managing Director, Dennis Diokno describes plans to open in Italy, and is looking at other capital cities in Central and Eastern Europe.
Dennis Diokno estimates that around 75% of his client base are still expats – either posted to Hungary for a specific job or living there and working as local hires – with the remainder Hungarians. While the expat base is fairly stable, it is the local business that is growing.
“It’s driven by growing awareness of us and private healthcare in general; greater disposable income; and the condition of the state healthcare system. And I think that third one is the largest driver.”
There are other spaces where he is happy to compete. “We will be opening in Rome sometime in the next six-to-twelve months. We are also looking at international expansion into other capital cities in Central and Eastern Europe. To start off, the healthcare offer would be very similar to what we first had in Hungary, before the model here became more comprehensive.”
He described this as “urgent care services”, sometimes known as immediate care, dealing with stitches and sprains, coughs and lab work.
“In Hungary we are looking to expand into other cities, and in Budapest to expand our range of services.”
The healthcare sector is attracting a lot of interest he says, and he has received offers to take over the business.
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