JINAN, China, Aug. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DaVita Kidney Care, a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc. (NYSE: DVA) and a leading global provider of kidney care services, today announced it is forming a joint venture kidney care specialty hospital chain in Shandong province China. The agreement establishes DaVita (Shandong) Kidney Disease Hospital Co., Ltd., a first-of-its-kind renal dialysis joint venture between a multinational health care provider and the private sector in China.

"DaVita has the potential to significantly raise the quality of kidney care services available in this region of China," said Dennis Kogod, CEO of DaVita's international operations. "The new hospital chain we are creating is a major step in that direction."

DaVita's partner in the joint venture is Xiaoyi Zhang, president of Shunjing Renal Hospital, the only private hospital approved for dialysis services in Jinan. Zhang comes to the new organization with more than a decade of experience leading large hospital organizations in Jinan, China.

"We will incorporate DaVita's advanced concepts and technologies in health care management with our experience in operating hospitals in the local market," said Xiaoyi Zhang, who will also become the CEO of DaVita (Shandong) Kidney Disease Hospital. "This is a win-win for end stage renal disease patients as we build a Sino-U.S. joint venture flagship hospital starting in Jinan City and eventually across Shandong province."

Recent studies estimate the number of people living with chronic kidney disease in China could be as many as 120 million. Only 12 percent are aware of their condition.

"Chronic kidney disease is a growing health issue in China," said Atul Mathur, president of DaVita in the Asia-Pacific region. "DaVita (Shandong) Kidney Disease Hospital directly addresses this problem. By expanding services available, we'll be helping many patients to live better quality lives."

About DaVita Kidney Care in China

DaVita Kidney Care is a division of DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc., a global company that, through its operating divisions, provides a variety of health care services to patient populations in China and throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. A leading provider of dialysis services in the United States, DaVita Kidney Care treats patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita Kidney Care strives to improve patients' quality of life by innovating clinical care, and by offering integrated treatment plans, personalized care teams and convenient health-management services. As of June 30, 2015, DaVita Kidney Care operated or provided administrative services at 2,306 outpatient dialysis centers worldwide serving approximately 184,000 patients. In China, DaVita Kidney Care provided administrative services at two outpatient dialysis centers serving approximately 90 patients. DaVita Kidney Care supports numerous programs dedicated to creating positive, sustainable change in communities around the world. For more information, please visit DaVita.com/Cn.

Contact Information

Media:

David Tauchen    
+1 (303) 876-2802
David.Tauchen@davita.com

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SOURCE DaVita Kidney Care