By Jiang Jingjing (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-01 13:42

Taiwan health management firm MJ Group will open 30 medical centers on the mainland in the next three years as it tries to become one of the largest commercial health organizations there.

The group plans to open directly managed outlets in key cities like Beijing, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu and the Yangtze River Delta region and to develop franchises in second-tier cities, said CK Tsao, chairman and founder of MJ Group.

Under current regulations, MJ Group's directly managed outlets must be opened as joint ventures, with the Taiwan holding not exceeding 70 percent.

The network is expected to cover more than 10 million patients, said Tsao.

With seven outlets in Taiwan, Beijing, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur, the 20-year-old firm has more than 900,000 members and treated over 1.1 million patients last year.

Its Beijing subsidiary, Beijing MJ Health Screening Center Co Ltd, established in 2003, has 30,000 members, including individuals and corporate clients such as BOE, China Mobile and Sohu.com.

Tsao told China Daily that each outlet will involve an investment of 40 to 50 million yuan (US$5.38-6.68 million), and will have a business area of 4,000 square meters.

Tsao said MJ Group plans to bring a new concept of health management to the mainland market that includes health checks, tailor-made solutions and dietary and nutrition advice.

The health sector has huge potential on the mainland as incomes rise, Tsao said.

MJ Group's outlets will offer its health check of 100 items, which Tsao said gives accurate results within four hours.

MJ Group positions itself as a medium to high-end medical services provider, charging around 1,500 yuan for a consultation. Membership fees are 3,000 to 6,000 yuan, while the annual fee is around 500 yuan. Members get discounted medical checks and services like health advice and information.