Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC and CVC Capital Partners Limited are among the suitors that have shown interest in NMC Health Plc (OTCPK:NMMC.F)'s core hospital business, sources told Reuters. NMC has hired advisers for the sale of NMC's healthcare business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, which sources said could generate around $1 billion. ADQ is serious about the transaction, which would make sense for the nascent wealth fund, whose portfolio includes Abu Dhabi Health Services Co (Seha), two sources said.

They declined to be named as the matter is not public. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Company (SASE:4013) has been invited to the process, said one of the two sources and a third source. Mediclinic Middle East is also in the running, one of the sources said.

An NMC spokesman said: "A process to explore the possibilities of a sale was launched last month and, while it is understandably attracting considerable interest, it is at an early stage". ADQ and HMG were unavailable to comment when contacted by Reuters. CVC declined to comment.

Mediclinic said it cannot comment on market speculation. The deal is active and investor talks with management have started, but the candidates have yet to submit non-binding bids and there is no guarantee it will lead to a sale, the sources said.