KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 1): PRG Holdings Bhd has appointed Professor Datuk Seri Dr Satiadass Vethanayagam as chief operating officer (COO) of its healthcare division.

Satiadass has more than 28 years of experience in hospital start-up, commissioning, turnaround, financial improvement, design and planning, project management, administration and operations and quality.

“We are all very pleased that Professor Datuk Seri Dr Satiadass has joined the company. His leadership positions and vast experience in hospital administration, management, and operations will further enhance the company’s expertise as well as push our foray into the healthcare sector," PRG group managing director Datuk Lua Choon said in a statement.

Prior to joining PRG, Satiadass was the chief executive officer at three hospitals: Bareen International Hospital (Abu Dhabi, UAE), the Kinta Medical Centre, and the Perak Community Specialist Hospital, both in Ipoh.

He was also the general manager for Kemuning Medical Centre (Klang, Malaysia), and Medical Centre Administrator for Normah Medical Specialist Centre (Kuching, Malaysia).

Satiadass holds a double PhD in Healthcare Administration from University of Houston, USA, and University of Madras, India, as well as a Masters of Business Administration from University of Leicester, UK.

PRG edged up half a sen or 0.66% to finish at 76.5 sen today, valuing the group at RM237.01 million.