Shivinder will always be by my side:Fortis cofounder Malvinder

Malvinder Mohan Singh, one of the two founders of Fortis Healthcare, today said his brother Shivinder, who has announced stepping down as company's executive vice-chairman, will always be by his side.

"He (Shivinder Mohan Singh) is always by my side and will remain so," he said when asked how difficult it would be for him to go ahead with Shivinder stepping down as executive vice-chairman of the company.

Malvinder on September 23 had said that he was delighted that his brother was taking this step.

"It is not always that one gets to commit oneself in the service of the society, and I am delighted that Shivinder is taking this step at this phase of his life," he had said.

The company, on the same day, in a statement had announced the stepping down of Shivinder from his position to join a philosophical and spiritual organisation Radha Soami Satsang Beas headquartered near Amritsar. He will become the Non-Executive Vice-Chairman with effect from January 1, 2016.

Singh founded Fortis Healthcare with his elder brother Malvinder in late 1990s. The brothers sold their stake in Ranbaxy to Japanese drug major Daiichi Sankyo in 2008.

The Fortis Healthcare chain comprises hospitals, diagnostics and day care speciality facilities. Currently, the company operates its healthcare delivery services in India, Dubai, Mauritius and Sri Lanka with 54 healthcare facilities (including projects under development), approximately 10,000 potential beds and 260 diagnostic centres.