JV signed to service healthcare sector

Banglore-based Manipal Group and Bahrain's YK Almoayyed and Sons, has signed a joint venture to launch a new facilities management company.

Innovative Facility Management (iFM), has already launched in Bahrain and plans to extend its services to Dubai with an office recently opened in the Emirate.

"iFM provides viable solutions in order to enable clients to reduce operating expenses without compromising on quality," said Venkatesh Kumar, CEO, Manipal Group.

The two companies have been working together for the past two years before agreeing the JV. iFM intends to extend its reach to its target markets in the GCC, with a focus on Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The range of services iFM offers includes: engineering maintenance, housekeeping, environmental management and waste management.

"The company will provide cost effective, high quality services mainly for the healthcare sector. The scope of facilities management services in other sectors includes commercial buildings, shopping malls, residential complex, villas and office buildings," he added.

In hospitals, easy operation is vital. "Every asset in a facility is critical and lack of an effective maintenance solution could turn on its head. In a hospital, it is not a choice but a necessity. It could mean the difference between life and death," Kumar explained.

iFM is currently providing FM services for Bahrain's MOH (Ministry of Health) health centres.