International SOS enters B'lore with IT/BPO focus

International SOS, an international healthcare, medical assistance and security services company, today announced the opening of it’s third office in India, in Bangalore with an eye on business from IT/BPO sectors. It already has two facilities in the country, in Delhi and Mumbai.

International SOS hopes that Bangalore will become its gateway for providing high quality medical and security services to the IT and financial sectors in South India. “We are looking to expand our business in South India in a major way,” said Tanguy de Grenier de Lassagne, GM, India, International SOS.

He added, “IT and BPO firms in Bangalore see a lot of their employees travelling, within and outside the country, which makes the sector our major target for business.”

While travel risk mitigation is among the major services SOS provides in Bangalore, medical solutions is another major vertical today. In Bangalore, the company is providing customised medical solutions on campuses of IT and BPO firms.

It provides medical consulting, advising the company staff on occupational health, for instance. The company counts Wipro and another major company in Bangalore among its city-based clients.

The medical services they provide include onsite services, many a time in remote areas. The individual needing the service needs to call the alarm centre of the International SOS, and they will deliver the best possible aid.

“In case of lack of such a service, many people may just quit after going through any trying incident. Hence, it can be a retention strategy for many companies,” said Lassagne. The company has a presence in 77 countries, and now sees India as a key growth market.

The company sources said the services of International SOS is particularly useful for those visiting the US where medical costs can be prohibitive when one attempts to secure medical help on their own, or some other emergency very difficult to manage alone.

With many an Indian company setting up shop in Africa or expanding their business there, International SOS provides help in giving advise on various aspects on the geography.