KEF Holdings launches Meitra Care Network
Announces collaboration with Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai
- KEF Healthcare, an integral part of KEF Holdings’ vision for the future, unveiled the Meitra Care Network at Meitra Hospital in Calicut, India, on 13th
- Building on the success of one of the India’s most prestigious hospital, Meitra Hospital, KEF Healthcare has entered its next phase of growth with the launch of the Meitra Care Network.
- KEF Healthcare has also announced a ground-breaking collaboration with Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, which will serve as a Joint Centre of Excellence, providing the full range of heart and vascular care.
- K. Shailaja, Hon’ble Health Minister – Government of Kerala, graced the launch event as Chief Guest in Calicut, Kerala, India, that was attended by senior officials who witnessed the beginning of a new chapter in India’s growing healthcare sector.
Press Release: KEF Holdings, a Dubai-based diversified investment conglomerate, has launched Meitra Care Network, an eco-system that connects patients with healthcare service providers through technology and brings them at the doorsteps of the patients. This is set to disrupt India’s US$193 billion (Rs14.07 trillion/Dh708.31 billion) healthcare sector, by making healthcare truly patient-centric, equitable and sustainable for everyone, everywhere.
MCN was inaugurated on Saturday, the 13th of February by Smt. K K Shailaja, Honourable Minister for Health, Social Justice and Woman and Child Development – Government of Kerala, in the presence of esteemed guests Dr. Beena Philip (Mayor of Calicut) and Shri A Pradeep Kumar (MLA of Calicut (North)) at Meitra Hospital. The ceremony was also broadcast live via Meitra and KEF Holdings’ social media channels.
MCN creates an ever-expanding healthcare eco-system bringing patients, doctors as well as primary, secondary, tertiary and critical care service providers under one integrated system, connected through hard and soft infrastructure – that will reduce downtime, wastage of resources and better utilisation of doctors, laboratories, operation theatres, healthcare facilities – to offer the best healthcare services at an affordable price.
The launch of Meitra Care Network (MCN) takes at a time when Indian healthcare sector is poised to grow 92.74 percent from US$193 billion in 2020 to US$372 billion by 2022, driven by rising income, better health awareness, sedentary lifestyle and better access to medical insurance, according to the India Brand Equity Forum (IBEF).
SOLVING INDUSTRY CHALLENGES WORLDWIDE THROUGH MCN
KEF Healthcare recognizes that there is still a gap in collaboration amongst healthcare organizations and limited technology use, to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. KEF healthcare, through MCN, is set to bring the quality care closer to the homes of the patients by establishing tele-medicine enabled clinics, partnerships with secondary healthcare providers, Tele-ICUs and through state-of-the-art Meitra mobile app.
Faizal E. Kottikollon, Founder Chairman - KEF Holdings and Meitra Hospital, says, “Despite the growth and development in our healthcare services sector, certain things did not change – long queues for consultation, diagnosis, expensive treatment and long waiting list for surgeries – resulting in growing frustration among patients.”
“The Indian healthcare sector specifically and industry in general needs technology intervention to put the patients at the centre of the entire process and the healthcare should evolve around them. Meitra Care Network has re-engineered the healthcare delivery system to achieve this.”
The first Clinic under the MCN universe was launched in Kasaragod today, named as the Meitra Care Clinic in Chemnad, that packs Meitra Hospital’s world-class experience into a 4400 sq. feet facility.
The other facility which is in collaboration with the famous United Medical Center, is called the Meitra United Heart Centre. The centre brings a robust & full-fledged heart & vascular care facility to Kasaragod, set up with an aim to provide comprehensive healthcare for the residents of Kasaragod and the areas around.
Both facilities will play an integral role in uplifting the healthcare scenario of the region, which is the need of the hour.
Meitra Care Clinic boasts of innovations like device-assisted multi-specialty Tele-Consultations and aims to leverage the expertise of Meitra Hospital to bring a range of tertiary healthcare services to the residents of the region. In addition to family physicians, it also has home care services, psychological counselling, a state-of-the-art physiotherapy setup, laboratory, nutrition & wellness, as well as pharmacy.
FROM INDIA TO THE WORLD, STARTING WITH DUBAI
KEF Healthcare has also announced a ground-breaking collaboration with Canadian Specialist Hospital, Dubai, which will serve as a a combined Centre of Excellence, providing the full spectrum of services under heart and vascular care – which the Canadian Specialist Hospital will now be able to offer for the first time as a result of its partnership with MCN.
This collaboration aligns with KEF Healthcare’s goal of assisting in positioning the UAE as a medical tourism hub through the development of specially designed packages, as well as the introduction of highly specialised surgeries in the region at affordable prices, optimisation of clinical manpower costs, and increased capacity utilisation in key specialties, in established hospitals in the UAE.
MCN is poised to bring the disruptive 4th Industrial Revolution to the healthcare system that will completely change the way people seek medical intervention, receive diagnosis reports, treatment, medication and critical care.
Following the launch, MCN will gradually add other healthcare providers under the umbrella and link with the growing number of patients whose health records will also be digitally stored for diagnosis and studying health history.
The hospital industry in India is witnessing a huge investor demand from both global as well as domestic investors, according to Invest India – the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency. The hospital industry is expected to reach US$132 billion by 2023 from US$61.8 billion in 2017; growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16-17 percent.
MORE EXCITING KEF HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES COMING SOON
A host of additional major KEF Healthcare projects are already in the advanced stages of planning and are set to be unveiled in the coming year, including the launch of a state-of-the-art wellness resort, so stay tuned to KEF Holdings across Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for exciting updates and announcements.
About KEF Holdings
KEF Holdings is a privately-owned family company, founded by Faizal E. Kottikollon and headquartered in DIFC, Dubai. A true changemaker, Faizal Kottikollon, a US-educated Indian engineer, started a scrap metal company – Al Ahamadi General Trading Company in the UAE, 25 years ago, in 1995.
In 1997, Faizal set up the first ever integrated foundry in the UAE, for industrial valves and steel castings, Emirates Techno Casting (ETC) in 1997
This world-class integrated facility of 100,000 square metres in Hamriyah Free Zone, was named among the world’s top three most technologically advanced foundries.
In 2012, Tyco, a $20 billion American corporation bought the company for $400 million (Dh1.46 billion). Which led to the formation of KEF Investments and later KEF Infra in 2014, which was the world’s largest integrated offsite manufacturing facility. In 2018, KEF Infra merged with Softbank funded Silicon Valley company, Katerra.
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Aditya Birla Group-led consortium acquires RCB for USD 1.78 billion
Bengaluru (PTI): A consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group (ABG) on Tuesday acquired 100 percent equity stake in IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for a whopping USD 1.78 billion (approximately Rs 16,706 crore) from its current owner the United Spirits Limited.
Other parties involved in the group are -- Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE, a firm of which Viral Patel is the CEO, Bolt Ventures, owned by American investor David Blitzer, and media conglomerate Times of India.
“United Spirits Limited, pursuant to the meeting of its Board of Directors, today announced that it has entered into definitive agreements for the sale of the 100 percent equity stake held in its wholly owned subsidiary Royal Challengers Sports Private Limited (RCSPL) to a consortium,” the USL said in a statement.
“The consortium comprises Aditya Birla Group (ABG), The Times of India Group (Times), Bolt Ventures (Bolt), and Blackstone’s perpetual private equity strategy, BXPE (Blackstone) for a total consideration of INR 166.6 bn in an all cash transaction,” the statement added.
The transaction includes RCB's men’s and women’s (WPL) teams.
“RCSPL owns and operates Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchises that participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“Upon completion of this transaction, the consortium will, through its ownership of RCSPL, acquire the rights to own and operate the IPL and WPL franchise,” said the USL.
The announcement also concluded the strategic review of RCSPL that was initiated by USL on November 5, 2025.
The United Spirits Limited is a subsidiary of UK-Diageo, and they were keen to move away from RCB as the team was not central to their business plans.
Commenting on the transaction, Praveen Someshwar, MD & CEO, USL, said: “This transaction marks an important milestone for USL as we sharpen focus on our core beverage alcohol business to unlock its true potential. RCB has grown into the most prominent and commercially successful franchise in the IPL and WPL.
“We are excited for the future of RCB under the stewardship of the new owner. As Sports enters a new phase of growth in India & globally, we believe this is in the best interest of the franchise and our stakeholders.”
Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, said, “Over the past 2 decades, the IPL has morphed to become a global sporting powerhouse that has changed the face of Indian cricket creating enormous value for India.
“RCB, as one of the most compelling franchises in modern sport, offers the Aditya Birla Group a distinctive platform to extend its legacy of institution-building into the arena of global sport.”
As per the sale agreement, Aryaman Vikram Birla, ABG’s director, will be the chairman of RCB while Satyan Gajwani of Times of India will be his deputy.
Aryaman Birla, said: “It is a privilege to come together in this partnership to shape the next phase of growth for RCB. This partnership brings together a deep understanding of sports, media and consumer businesses.
“Together, we will continue to Play Bold -- on the pitch, in the community, and for the fans who make RCB what it is.”
Gajwani, Chairman, Times Internet Limited, said: “RCB is the reigning champion and the most popular brand in the IPL. We will build RCB into a global sporting institution, while remaining rooted in Bengaluru and Karnataka and its incredible fanbase.”
Blitzer hoped to build on RCB’s recent success.
“RCB has a world-class fanbase, and the IPL is one of the great growth stories in global sport. Having invested in clubs and leagues around the world, I believe the opportunity at RCB stands out.
We look forward to working alongside our partners and the BCCI to build on the franchise’s championship success,” he said.
Patel praised the RCB as one of the strongest sporting brands in the world.
“We are excited to invest in RCB, building on Blackstone’s long-standing commitment to India. RCB stands out as one of the most popular sports franchises in the world with a powerful brand, a loyal fan base, and multiple avenues for growth,” he added.
However, formalities such as ratification from the BCCI, IPL Governing Council, its WPL counterpart and the Competition Commission of India are still pending.
Earlier, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals was acquired by US-based Kal Somani-led consortium for USD 1.63 billion (approx Rs 15,290 crore),
The Somani-led consortium includes Rob Walton from the Walmart family and Hamp family (Ford motor company).
Somani is an Arizona-based tech entrepreneur who has founded IntraEdge (technology services and solutions), Truyo.Ai (data privacy rights and AI governance) and Academian (edtech services).
The other contenders to buy the team, which won the inaugural trophy in 2008, were the Times Internet-led consortium, the Aditya Birla Group and the Mittal family led by ArcelorMittal CEO Aditya Mittal.
