Fortis announces Trehan exit; cardiologist denies

Differences between promoters of Fortis Healthcare, the owner of Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre (EHIRC) and Naresh Trehan erupted today with the management announcing Trehan's exit, but the renowned cardiologist denied any such move.

"What nonsense, I am not going to quit, I have my patients to attend to," Trehan told PTI.

Asked about the reason Fortis attributed his resignation -- purportedly for pursuing his interest in Medicity, he retorted: "You ask them. As far as I am concerned. I have not quit."

A statement issued by Fortis Healthcare said Trehan, who holds 10% stake in institute, "relinquishes the post of executive director EHIRC to concentrate on his Medicity Project."

Over the past 18 months, Trehan has been increasingly focussing on his personally promoted project, the ambitious and challenging  Rs 1,000 crore Medicity at Gurgaon, the statement said.

"He now leaves EHIRC to concentrate on this venture. He continues to be a 10% shareholder in EHIRC," it added.

"We wish him well, recognising his role in nurturing EHIRC to a level where its clinical programmes continue to function independently, carrying on and building up on the legacy of the past years," Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre and Fortis Healthcare managing director Shivinder Mohan Singh said.