Headquartered in Prague and Bratislava, with a single management team for both countries, the AGEL group manages 54 hospitals, including specialist medical facilities, and employs 16,500 people. AGEL’s strategic location of hospitals in clusters with a strong regional footprint in the Eastern Czech Republic (regions of Moravia and Czech Silesia) and Central and Eastern Slovakia, further enhances the ability to specialize individual hospitals and create synergies.
AGEL actively pursues its expansion strategy, growing both organically and through acquisitions to strengthen regional leadership and expand to new areas. The Group’s total revenue reached 1.2bn EUR in 2023, growing over 50% in the last 5 years with EBITDA doubling over this period.
Extract of an interview by AGEL’s Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO Ing. Michal Pišoja (left) and the Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of AGEL Košice-Šaca Cardiac Centre, prof. František Sabol (right), released in SME.sk
What are AGEL’s main objectives and expectations in the cooperation with UEHP? Does AGEL have a vision for development also in the European context?
MP: Our main goal is to continuously improve the quality of healthcare, not only in Slovakia, but also in a broader European context. Participation in UEHP provides us with opportunities to exchange experiences, gain new knowledge and implement best practices from abroad. We expect that cooperation will enable us to better adapt to the dynamic changes in the healthcare sector, not only in terms of technology and digitalisation, but also in terms of legislation and healthcare financing. To be UEHP associate member will give us the opportunity to gain valuable information on how legislation and health policies are evolving in different countries, which will help us to adapt our services also in terms of European standards.
Will AGEL’s membership of the Union of European Private Hospitals also benefit patients and healthcare professionals?
FS: The UEHP environment is primarily based on hospitals collaborating with each other, united by a common philosophy in the delivery of health care. The UEHP professional meetings provide a communication platform where professionals can transfer expertise to each other and continuously improve. At the same time, the exchange of unbiased information from the real practice of the different health systems gives the opportunity to avoid flawed solutions that have already been tried. Ultimately, the equation is “a better hospital plus better quality medical staff equals good news for the patient.”
Can you tell readers what new things AGEL/KCE has in store for 2025?
MP: We have a number of important innovations and projects in the pipeline for 2025 that will focus on improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare. This primarily involves upgrading our facilities and investing in new technologies such as robotic systems and artificial intelligence in diagnostics. In addition, we plan to expand our services to other regions, focusing on increasing the availability of specialised examinations and treatments, as well as improving digital services for patients. Our vision is to build a modern and efficient healthcare network that is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
FS: In the first quarter of this year, we will launch the operation of the photon CT scanner in our Košice Cardiac Centre, and construction work is currently underway on the premises of the future workplace. In the preparation and implementation of the project, we are working closely with CCM from Monaco, which is a world leader in this field. The experience of our colleagues from CCM clearly confirms our assumption that photon CT represents a revolution in the non-invasive diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases. We are unwaveringly convinced that the availability of this specialised diagnostic methodology will be of great benefit not only to patients in our region, but to patients throughout Slovakia. During the first half of 2025, we plan to expand our robotic surgery program to include valvular and congenital heart defects.
Role of privates hospitals in Slovakia
Private Sector Involvement:
- Private hospitals and clinics contribute to specialized and acute care, filling gaps in public sector capacity.
- Operate under the same licensing and quality standards as public hospitals.
Financing:
- Private hospitals are reimbursed by health insurance funds if they meet contractual obligations.
- Direct payments by patients for some services, especially if not covered by insurance.
Service Differentiation: Often positioned for elective or high-demand services, some private hospitals provide faster access and enhanced facilities.
Slovak hospital association (ANS)
- AGEL group is member of ANS
- The purpose of ANS is to associate medical facilities on the territory of the Slovak Republic for the purpose of a joint procedure in solving their problems in the economic, legislative, employer and professional fields
- it currently unites 75 medical facilities
