Diaverum has been selected as the preferred supplier to construct and run a new kidney centre close to Auckland (New Zealand), for the Counties Manukau District Health Board.

The new facilities will have capacity to treat 96 end-stage renal disease patients with haemodialysis (HD) and haemodiafiltration (HDF). The new kidney centre, which will be equipped with 30 dialysis stations, is the first under a PPP model. 

Healthcare in New Zealand is run by 20 District Health Boards (DHBs), which are responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services in their district. Disability support services and some health services are funded and purchased nationally by the Ministry of Health.

Boris Zjacic, SVP, Area Director Central East at Diaverum, says that we have shown ourselves as "a sustainable partner and true solutions provider" which made us the preferred provider by the District Health Board. "The Health Board valued our approach of putting the patient in the centre, which they witnessed during their visit to our centres in Australia."

New Zealand operations will be supervised by the Australian country management team. The former Country Managing Director, Karla Salt, who has recently moved to a Corporate role in Germany, explains that the collaborative approach was the key success factor for having won this tender.

"Our proven ability to form and maintain collaborative relationships to provide high quality services to our patients contributed to the positive decision taken by the Countries Manukau District Health Board."

Diaverum CEO Dag Andersson says winning the tender in New Zealand is a "significant milestone", he commented:

"Our global network now spreads to 20 countries. Our partnership approach towards healthcare authorities around the world is clearly appreciated by those who choose to work with us and is helping us realise our vision to become the 'first choice' in renal care. The country will be monitoring very closely the implementation of the services we will be providing, and we believe that this will inspire the other DHBs to adopt this model."

Globally, more than three million people require renal replacement therapy and this number increases by five per cent every year. In New Zealand the prevalence rate of end stage renal disease patients is 557 per million of the population (ANZDATA reports, 2012), compared to a global prevalence of around 400 dialysis patients per million. Of the 2,500 people receiving renal replacement therapy in New Zealand, 50 per cent are being treated at home, with 31 per cent of those on peritoneal dialysis.