International SOS Acquires International Health Solutions From Europ Assistance

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates and PARIS, Jan. 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Europ Assistance has sold its International Health Solutions (IHS) affiliate to International SOS. International SOS is acquiring the African medical onsite service business of Europ Assistance, with a presence in countries such as Angola, Chad and Niger.

IHS services include medical staffing & medical supply services, as well as clinics at high standards of medical care which complement those of International SOS.

IHS clients will be serviced by International SOS in future and benefit from its expertise and scale, the world's leading medical & security services company operating from over 1,000 sites in 92 countries and receive 24 hour access to 27 International SOS Assistance Centres.

Over one hundred professionals will transition with the acquisition who we warmly welcome into the International SOS family. An integration team is in place and the process for a seamless integration is now starting. The transferring business will adopt the International SOS brand in due course.

Philippe Arnaud, President & CEO – Eastern-Europe, Central Asia, Middle-East & Africa at International SOS said: "We are delighted to welcome over one hundred professionals of International Health Solutions (IHS) to the International SOS family. Together we will work hard at providing a seamless integration for clients and employees alike. This acquisition will reinforce International SOS leading position as a provider of medical services to corporations and governments in the region and across the world."

Dr. Laurent Arnulf, Group Medical Director at International SOS for Europe, Middle East & Africa added: "Whilst transferring IHS services, from medical staffing services to clinics, we will make a point to keep the high standards of medical care which is equally the core added value of International SOS."

Emmanuel Légeron, Group EVP - Corporate Global Business Line at Europ Assistance said: "International SOS will give our IHS business new opportunities. It will enable them to access an unparalleled global reach and infrastructure of highest medical standards. The decision to sell onsite Medical Services in Africa is fully aligned with our "2020 We Connect Strategy", in particular in the redirection of our corporate service solutions towards corporate travel assistance and insurance offers. We are divesting from the medical onsite services business and entering in a close partnership with International SOS for the provision of site medical services to our clients in particular in Africa".

About Europ Assistance

About Europ Assistance - A pioneer in assistance with more than 50 years' experience behind it, Europ Assistance gives shape to its Care Services every day. Europ Assistance, founded in 1963, protects more than 350 million people around the world annually. More than 8,000 employees within 44 local companies are available 24/7 to respond to assistance requests from our clients. They are supported by a close-knit network of 750,000 providers to ensure an instant answer adapted to each situation and to the client's need.

About International SOS

International SOS is the world's leading medical and travel security risk services company. We care for clients across the globe, from more than 1,000 locations in 90 countries. Our expertise is unique: More than 11,000 employees are led by 1,400 doctors and 200 security specialists. Teams work night and day to protect our members. We pioneer a range of preventive programmes strengthened by our in-country expertise. We deliver unrivalled emergency assistance during critical illness, accident or civil unrest. We are passionate about helping clients put Duty of Care into practice. With us, multinational corporate clients, governments and NGOs can mitigate risks for their people working remotely or overseas.

SOURCE International SOS