Bahrain group inks 100-bed hospital deal

Bahrain-based Al Namal Group is set to sign a multi-million dinar agreement with an Indian organisation to run a new 100-bed hospital, Middle East Hospital, in Manama, said a report. The 10-year deal will see Calicut-based Baby Memorial Hospital managing the Middle East Hospital in Bahrain, said VKL Holdings Company managing director and Al Namal Group chairman Varghese Kurian. He said Indian expertise in the medical field was being tapped into by other medical groups in Bahrain and the GCC. "The agreement is part of the initiatives we are taking with regard to Kerala," he told the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication. "In the future, we have more initiatives lined up to take advantage of the state's expertise," he added. "Kerala has a lot to offer to Bahrain in terms of other fields like hospitality and tourism as well as the food and restaurant business." Kurian said the hospital is set to open in Segaiya by the end of the year. "The opening of the Middle East Hospital, set up at a cost of BD6.5 million ($16.8 million), will be followed by the opening of a 50-bed BD3 million hospital in Muharraq and a BD2 million medical centre in Hidd," he added. He said all three projects will be managed as part of the new deal with Baby Memorial Hospital. Kurian also revealed the company had signed on with Best Western Premium to manage and operate a BD20 million hotel opening soon in Hidd. The group already owns four hotels as well as two large malls. Kurian said the group also plans to soon open a five-star luxury resort at Hawar Islands. "A deal has already been signed to completely revamp the existing hotel on the islands," he stated. "We are looking at attracting people from all over the world to business and tourism-friendly Bahrain and will develop the resort keeping the needs of diverse cultures in mind," he told the GDN in Kochi. "Bahrain is already a world-class tourist destination and this new resort will enhance that reputation further," he added. TradeArabia News