Media Release
Abu Dhabi, Jul 25: Ministry of Public Health, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and BRS Ventures, UAE on Wednesday, July 25, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to take over two hospitals and establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Kabul, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The MoU was signed in the presence of Ashraf Ghani, the president of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. For enhancement of the public healthcare infrastructure in Kabul, BRS Ventures will operate and manage Sheikh Zayed Hospital (SZ Hospital) and Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital (WAK Hospital) under the public private partnership model. The hospitals will be a part of BRS Ventures healthcare brand called ‘BR Life’. The MoU will be executed in 2 phases. Operations & Management of SZ Hospital in Phase 1 and WAK Hospital in Phase 2.
SZ Hospital is an 82-bed hospital located in the heart of Kabul. WAK Hospital is a 210-bed super specialty hospital catering to over 72,000 patients annually. BRS Ventures will be responsible for the complete refurbishment, rebranding of the hospitals. The activities will commence operations within the next following months. The overhaul of SZ Hospital is an auspicious moment for BRS Ventures marking the company’s homage to the year round centenary celebrations of Sheikh Zayed as the ‘Year of Zayed’ in UAE.
With a mission to serve the community Dr B R Shetty started BR Life in India. BRS Ventures-led BR Life includes hospitals in India and the sub-continent. SUT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram was the first BR Life hospital in India that was established in 2013. Sree Narayana Hospital in Raipur, SSNMC Super Specialty Hospital Bengaluru, Mother & Child Hospital in Udupi, Kalinga Hospital in Bhubaneshwar and The Grande International Hospital in Nepal are the other hospitals under the BR Life umbrella.
Dr B R Shetty, founder and chairman of BRS Ventures shared, “I am thrilled that we have an opportunity to invest in Afghanistan. My motto in life has always been to serve mankind. I am deeply grateful to Ashraf Ghani, the president of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan for trusting us and giving us an opportunity to improve the healthcare facilities in the country. I consider it my good fortune and with Allah’s blessings, I will ensure that we wholeheartedly enhance the public healthcare infrastructure in Kabul.”
Dr Ferozuddin Feroz, ministry of Public Health, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan said, “I am delighted to welcome BRS Ventures into Afghanistan. Dr Shetty and his team have an excellent track record in the healthcare sector through their New Medical Centre (NMC) Hospitals, BR Life Hospitals and Neopharma – pharmaceutical manufacturing company. This is a significant milestone in the healthcare sector in Afghanistan. We will provide all the required support to BRS Ventures to ensure that our citizens’ lives are enhanced immensely.”
Abdul Farid Zikria, Ambassador, Embassy of Afghanistan, Abu Dhabi shared, “It is a matter of great pride that one of the finest business houses of UAE – BRS Ventures will be entering Afghanistan. I know Dr B R Shetty personally and I am an avid advocate of the wonderful work he and his team have done in UAE and across the globe. This is a welcome initiative from the Government of Afghanistan. I am sure we can soon see positive developments in the healthcare sector in my home country.”
About BRS Ventures
BRS Ventures is a holding company belonging to Indian Padma Shri recipient Dr B R Shetty. The company manages a diversified portfolio of businesses through its subsidiary companies and JV partnerships operating in Healthcare, Education, Financial Services, Pharmaceuticals, Hospitality, Environment and other Sectors in UAE, India, Africa and other parts of the world.