Penta Hospitals has signed an agreement to acquire SeneCura, a network of elderly care homes. The acquisition includes both the real estate and operational assets of SeneCura, which currently manages 17 facilities offering residential and special care services with a combined capacity of 2,250 beds. The deal, announced in a press release today, is pending approval from the Czech Office for the Protection of Competition (ÚOHS), with the transaction expected to close in the coming months. “This agreement marks a significant milestone in our long-term effort to establish a leading provider of residential social services in the Czech Republic,” said Jan Kocián, Investment Director at Penta Investments. “Our group has seen exceptional growth in recent years, differentiating itself by integrating social services with healthcare from the outset.” SeneCura operates facilities across most regions of the Czech Republic, including locations in Prague (Klamovka, Štěrboholy, and Slivenec), as well as regional cities in Hradec Králové, Olomouc, Pilsen, and Liberec. Additional facilities are located in Kolín, Chrudim, Humpolec, Telč, Chotěboř, Havířov, and the South Bohemian Region. Anton Kellner, CEO of SeneCura, remarked on the transition: “After building an extensive network of elderly care homes and setting new standards of care in the Czech Republic, we are passing our business to Penta Hospitals.” SeneCura began its operations under the Senior Holding brand in 2008 before being owned by Emeis. The company emphasized that the approval process will not affect clients or operations at its facilities. Penta Hospitals CZ is part of Penta Hospitals International, the largest healthcare holding in Central Europe. In the Czech Republic, the group operates 10 hospitals (including facilities in Sokolov, Vrchlabí, and Roudnice nad Labem), 36 Alzheimer Home facilities, three elderly care homes, numerous outpatient services, and home care providers. Employing nearly 5,000 people, the group reported a turnover of nearly CZK 6 billion in 2023. In addition to its healthcare portfolio, Penta Investments also manages Dr.Max pharmacies, banks, and development projects. The group’s net profit grew by CZK 500 million year-on-year to CZK 12.1 billion in 2023. The primary shareholders are entrepreneur Marek Dospiva and the family of Jaroslav Haščák. The Czech Republic faces a rapidly aging population. By 2050, the number of people over 65 is projected to increase from 2.2 million to 3.1 million, with those over 85 doubling to 400,000. In 2023, there were 522 elderly care homes and 404 special-regime facilities catering to dementia patients, providing a total of 61,106 beds for approximately 57,800 seniors—only 3% of the population over 66. Despite growing capacity in recent years, demand continues to outpace supply. A 2035 projection highlights a potential shortfall of 15,000 beds and 16,000 care workers, underscoring the need for continued investment. In response, the Czech government recently announced plans for 20 new elderly care homes with 2,500 beds, to be funded by the Czech Insurance Association. Penta Hospitals’ acquisition of SeneCura positions the group as a key player in addressing this pressing social need while continuing to integrate healthcare and social services. Source: CTK