Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
Dentons has advised NMC Healthcare Group, one of the UAE’s leading private healthcare providers, and Elegant Medical Center Oman (EMC) on the sale of their Omani businesses to Tawoos Group, a deal that reshapes both sides’ healthcare portfolios.
The deal includes two hospitals and six clinics across Oman. For Tawoos Group, it marks a major step in expanding local healthcare, while for NMC it frees resources to refocus on its UAE operations, where the group runs over 180 entities with 11,000 staff treating five million patients a year.
The divestment was complex, involving creditors, regulators, staff, and patients. Dentons led the legal work across banking, restructuring, litigation, and corporate law, with Deloitte as financial adviser and Dentons & Co Oman Branch as legal counsel.
Sadaf Buchanan, Partner at Dentons, reflected on the outcome:
"It has been our privilege to support NMC in alignment with the Tawoos Group. Working closely with NMC and its advisers, we were able to structure a deal that satisfied the group’s strategic goals while also addressing the interests of creditors, more than 600 employees and thousands of patients. The transaction highlights Dentons' deep sector knowledge and the advantage of having on-the-ground Oman law expertise."
From NMC’s perspective, the sale is about sharpening its focus while ensuring continuity for Omani patients. David Hadley, CEO of NMC Healthcare, said:
"NMC has been proud to serve communities in Oman through our network of hospitals and medical facilities. At a time when we are strategically focusing on our core operations and planned investments in the UAE, we welcome the acquisition of NMC Oman by Tawoos, a leading, trusted, and well-established Omani business with a proven track record of fostering innovation and long-term growth—key drivers of high-quality healthcare delivery."
"We look forward to working closely with Tawoos in the coming months to ensure continuity of care for patients and a smooth transition of ownership."
The deal was also described by Christopher Habib, NMC’s Chief Strategy Officer, as a key milestone:
"The acquisition of NMC Oman by Tawoos Group was a key step in optimising our portfolio to free up investment for the UAE. At the same time, it secures a strong future for our patients and staff in Oman."
"We are grateful to our advisers, including Dentons, for their role in ensuring the process ran smoothly from start to finish."
Dentons team advising NMC was led by Buchanan, together with partners Jamie Gibson and Dali Al Habboub, and Associated Partner Yaqdhan Al-Busaidi. They were supported by Senior Associates Michael Kneebone, Fatma Al Amri, and Fatima Al-Sabahi; Associates Malaak Al Balushi and Abdullah Al Busaidi; and trainee Mohammed Al Farsi.
Tawoos Group is a leading Omani family-owned conglomerate founded in 1982 by HH Sayyid Shabib bin Taimur Al Said. Over the past four decades, it has grown into one of Oman’s largest diversified businesses—spanning sectors such as agriculture, power & telecoms, defence support, hospitality, real estate, and financial services. The Group maintains a forward-looking approach through its ventures in investment and family office, venture capital, and global capital markets. Key leaders include Chairman Samir J. Fancy, Chief Investment Officer Sameer Ul Haque, and Finance Director Nilanjan Gupta.
NMC Healthcare Group is one of the UAE’s largest private healthcare providers, founded in 1975. Today it operates a wide network of hospitals, clinics, and specialty centres, treating millions of patients each year. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the group is known for its focus on high-quality, personalised care and its role in advancing healthcare standards across the Middle East.
Dentons, founded in 2013, is the world’s largest law firm, operating in over 80 countries. With its unique polycentric structure, Dentons offers clients access to top-tier legal talent and deep local insight across key global markets. The firm is recognized for its commitment to innovation, client service, and helping organizations navigate complex legal and business challenges in a rapidly evolving world.
