NETCARE CONCLUDES CONTRACT WITH UK"S NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

NETCARE CONCLUDES CONTRACT WITH UK"S NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE                    
NETWORK HEALTHCARE HOLDINGS LIMITED                                             
(Co. Reg. No. 1996/004282/06)                                                   
("Netcare")                                                                     
JSE Code : NTC                                                                  
ISIN number : ZAE000011953                                                      
Netcare concludes contract with UK"s National Health Service                    
On 12 September 2003, it was announced that Netcare had been selected as the    
likely Preferred Bidder for two new NHS Treatment Centres (TC) in the United    
Kingdom (UK), both TC"s having a combined value of GBP114 million (estimated at 
that time at R1,4 billion).                                                     
Netcare is pleased to announce that it has successfully concluded and signed the
first of the two TC contracts which will involve approximately 44 000 cataract  
procedures being performed over a period of 5 years using a combination of      
mobile units throughout the UK.                                                 
The contract for the ophthalmic chain (OC) TC"s guarantees patient volumes as   
well as the number of elective procedures - services under this contract will   
commence on 26 January 2004 and these will be implemented using mobile theatre  
units and roving clinical teams that will travel to the respective areas falling
within the scope of the TC.                                                     
Following the established networks and experience already gained through the    
Group"s participation in NHS Waiting List Initiatives, Netcare has developed and
implemented an effective model for operating the TC"s which will have no impact 
on local operations nor impact on healthcare resources in South Africa.         
Furthermore, the TC`s will also fulfil Netcare"s strategic objective of         
retaining doctors and staff in its hospitals and within the South African       
healthcare system, because, by participating in these NHS contracts, Netcare    
affords its staff and doctors the opportunity to work abroad on a short-term    
basis only, without having to emigrate and forfeit their jobs and other benefits
such as medical insurance, pension or provident funds.                          
This contract in isolation is not expected to materially impact Netcare"s       
earnings for fiscal 2004, but is anticipated to provide an anchor for the       
Group"s UK presence, its second TC contract presently being finalised, as well  
as the Group"s strategic expansion plans going forward.                         
Further announcements on these matters will be made from time to time, including
the status of the second TC contract requiring approximately 45 000 surgical    
procedures (orthopaedic, general, and ear, nose and throat) to be performed at  
the Greater Manchester Surgical Centre (GMSC) in the city of Manchester.        
Sandton                                                                         
13 January 2004                                                                 
Sponsor                                                                         
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Limited                                        
Date: 13/01/2004 05:31:02 PM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department