In 1983, Dr Edwin Hertzog, who remains Mediclinic Internationals chairman, was commissioned by the then Rembrandt Group (now Remgro Group) to undertake a feasibility study on private hospitals. This led to the founding of Mediclinic in South Africa. Over the past 35 years the company has grown significantly, both organically and through acquisition, to become one of the worlds largest international private healthcare groups. Mediclinics story in the UAE began in 2007 with the acquisition of a controlling interest in Emirates Healthcare Ltd, followed by acquisition of the remaining minority interest in 2012. The combination with Abu Dhabi-based Al Noor Hospitals Group in 2016 led to enrichment of Mediclinics own history as it took over hospitals and clinics which themselves had been long established in the UAE.