OREANDA-NEWS. Following Bupa's acquisition of 56.38% of Cruz Blanca Salud S.A. (now known as Bupa Chile) in February 2014 Bupa today announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase an additional 17.35% shareholding in Bupa Chile for 568 Chilean Pesos (54p) per share. This equates to a purchase price of approximately ?60 million.

On Wednesday 9 December, Bupa will make a Mandatory Tender Offer for the remaining 26.27% of the shares in the company. This process is expected to complete in January 2016.

Taking full ownership of Bupa Chile will help Bupa to pursue its development plans in Latin America. This transaction further demonstrates Bupa's commitment to be a healthcare partner to millions of people in Chile, a key growth market for Bupa. 

Bupa Chile is one of the main health groups in Chile, with 2.4 million customers and more than 7,500 employees. Part of the global health and care company, Bupa - present in 190 countries - Bupa Chile offers private health insurance, hospitals and outpatient clinics. It is also Chile's leading provider of private outpatient services, with 27 clinics and three hospitals (a fourth is currently being built in Santiago). Bupa Chile also has a small outpatient and diagnostic business in Peru.