Sime Darby Berhad (KLSE:SIME) and its partner Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX:RHC)'s plan to sell off their equally controlled joint venture, Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care Sdn Bhd is understood to have generated interest among major healthcare players in Asia, sources say. They include Columbia Pacific Healthcare Sdn Bhd (Columbia Asia), Sunway Healthcare Holdings Sdn Bhd, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (SET:BDMS), Bumrungrad Hospital Public Company Limited (SET:BH) and possibly even Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) and an Indonesian player, informed sources say. In an email response to The Edge, Sime Darby, which has 50% equity interest in Ramsay Health Care, says: Sime Darby, with our partner Ramsay Health Care, is currently exploring the sale of our 50:50 joint venture Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care.

There has been significant interest from various industry players and the assessment process is ongoing. Hence, it would be premature to elaborate on any specific details at this juncture.