International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, ADM Capital, one of the largest private equity investors in the region and PGGM, a leading Dutch pension fund administrator and asset manager have made a combined equity investment of US$140 million in Universal Hospitals Group in April 2011.

”Universal Hospitals Group has been a pioneer in the development of private healthcare industry since its opening in 1976,” states Mr. Azmi Ofluoglu, the Chairman of Universal.  “This new investment provides a broad financial base for our rapid expansion in order to meet the increasing needs of our communities.  We have established a new management team led by Mahir Turan, MD, an experienced hospital executive. I am also pleased to announce the appointment to the board of Mr. Curtis Schroeder, a recognized expert in international hospital management who brings world class healthcare innovation to Universal.”

The intention is to support the expansion of the Group’s operations across the country, including non-major cities and provinces, and thus improve access to high quality healthcare to underserved areas. With new hospital openings planned for this year, the Group will operate 18 hospitals in 12 cities in the Central Anatolia, Aegean, Southern and Eastern regions in addition to Istanbul, and will have one of the widest coverage among the private healthcare networks in the country.

Following the restructuring that is realized with the share transfer of 26 % to the investors, the shareholders appointed new members to the Board of Directors. The Board, which comprises six members include four members that are appointed by the new investors.

About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. IFC creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. IFC does so by providing financing to help businesses employ more people and supply essential services, by mobilizing capital from others, and by delivering advisory services to ensure sustainable development. In a time of global economic uncertainty, our new investments climbed to a record $18 billion in fiscal 2010. For more information, www.ifc.org.

About ADM Capital
ADM Capital manages approximately $1.6 billion invested in 16 countries in emerging markets. The firm operates through 7 offices worldwide and was one of the first foreign firms to establish a presence after the 2001 crisis by opening an office in Istanbul in 2006. ADM Capital invested approximately USD 400mm in Turkey todate; making the firm one of the largest and most active private equity investors in the region. For more information, www.admcap.com.