The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious tourism projects, has awarded a contract for the provision of medical services during the initial construction phase of the project.
The contract was awarded following a competitive tendering process to medical services provider International SOS to provide all medical services across the development. The agreement ensures that the highest quality medical care and assistance is provided to the site’s estimated 28,000 construction workers as well as the project’s staff and visitors over the next two-and-a-half years.
“As we strive to create a truly special tourist destination for visitors to enjoy, prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees and partners is of paramount importance,” said John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC. “We are going beyond international guidelines and setting new standards for labor management in the region, by making sure that the environment our people work in, is safe and comfortable.”
Through this partnership, a 700-square-meter central medical facility is being created within the specially designed Construction Village to provide a range of services including primary health care, occupational health services and emergency response. The central “hub” medical facility, as well as satellite clinics at construction worksites across the development, are being created, managed, and operated by International SOS, ensuring that all facilities comply with the Saudi Building Code.
Medical services are being delivered through mobile containerized facilities, which can easily be relocated across the development as construction progresses. This approach not only allows TRSDC’s workforce to access facilities as required, but also leaves little to no impact on the environment.
Brian Spraker, executive director of HSE, said: “As well as the safety of our workforce, sustainability is also a key priority for The Red Sea Development Company. We are striving to ensure that our impact on the natural environment is as minimal as possible and adopting these kinds of innovative construction solutions helps us achieve that goal.”
Jörg C. Bünzel, general manager of International SOS, noted how TRSDC’s approach to medical care is innovative for the industry and region: “Typically, contractors are each responsible for the medical care of their own workforce, which can lead to a fragmented system with inefficiencies encountered across a large-scale development. TRSDC is removing the responsibility for medical care from the contractors and centralizing it with a single medical provider.”
“This ensures that all construction workers have uniform access to senior medical personnel and high standards of care. We share the unconditional desire and aspiration to build the right support for the workforce while adhering to the strict sustainability policies in place at the destination.”
