DUBAI, June 12 (Reuters) - United Arab Emirates hospital

group NMC Healthcare (NMCH) has appointed Rothschild as a

financial adviser to help it consider strategic options

including an initial public offering (IPO), it said on

Wednesday.

NMC will appoint a second financial adviser "in due course",

it said in a statement, adding strategic alternatives include a

listing as well as a sale of the business and other options.

The move follows a restructuring completed in 2022.

The company, which was founded by Indian businessman BR

Shetty in the mid-1970s, ran into difficulties after

short-seller Muddy Waters questioned its financial reporting and

doubts emerged over the size of stakes owned by its biggest

shareholders.

The hospital group also disclosed more than $4 billion in

hidden debt, which led to London-listed NMC Health being placed

in administration in April 2020.

NMC Healthcare is comprised of 85 hospitals, specialty

clinics and medical facilities under several brands serving more

than 5.5 million patients annually.