Healthcare Visionaries: Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare Dr. Moopen has dedicated nearly five decades to transforming healthcare, led by a vision to serve the world with quality healthcare that is easily accessible.

Under his transformational leadership, Dr. Azad Moopen has been instrumental in advancing the ever-evolving healthcare landscape of the GCC, India, and beyond, setting new benchmarks for innovation.

Dr. Moopen has dedicated nearly five decades to transforming healthcare, led by a vision based on innovation, compassion, and service.

Born in Kerala, India, in 1953, he completed his MD in General Medicine as a Gold Medalist and earned a diploma in Chest Diseases. In 1987, a visit to Dubai revealed the pressing need for accessible and quality healthcare, especially among the expatriate community.

What began as a single clinic in Bur Dubai ultimately transformed into Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers across the GCC and India, making quality care accessible across income groups without compromising medical excellence.

Under his visionary leadership, Aster DM Healthcare has expanded into a global network of more than 963 facilities across seven countries. The organization's comprehensive "circle of care" includes more than 36,600 professionals, including 5,315 doctors and 10,294 nurses, across 34 hospitals, 134 clinics, 536 pharmacies, and 259 labs and patient experience centers.

Beyond infrastructure, Dr. Moopen has consistently emphasized education, research, and training as key drivers of sustainable healthcare delivery.

Committed to social responsibility, Dr. Moopen's legacy extends far beyond business. In 2017, he established the Aster Volunteers initiative, which has evolved into a global force of over 85,000 volunteers, extending healthcare services and relief to underserved populations and disaster-affected regions. As the global CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare, this initiative embodies the spirit of giving back to society and has touched the lives of over 6.9 million people through various programs that include disaster relief efforts, mobile medical services, and more. Dr. Moopen's belief that "profit is a by-product, not the purpose" is deeply ingrained in his corporate ethos.

Through Aster DM Foundation and Dr. Moopen Family Foundation, he has dedicated 20 percent of his personal wealth to philanthropy, supporting projects in healthcare access, education, and community development.

His contributions have been recognized with some of India's and the region's highest honors, including the Padma Shri, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, and recognition among the 100 Most Inspiring Leaders in the Middle East. Recently, he joined India's top five promoter-investors, with his financial growth reflecting the sustainability of purpose-driven enterprise. For over four decades, Dr. Moopen has championed a vision that healthcare is more than a business, it is a noble service dedicated to saving lives, restoring wellness, and uplifting communities.

As Aster DM Healthcare moves into its next growth chapter, Dr. Azad Moopen stands as a true healthcare visionary, proving that with compassion, vision, and unwavering commitment, it is possible to build an enterprise that heals millions while creating lasting social and economic impact.

ABOUT ASTER DM HEALTHCARE

As the GCC rises as a global hub, Aster DM Healthcare is recognized as one of the region's most influential integrated healthcare providers, with a presence spanning the Gulf and India.

Headquartered in Dubai, it operates 15 hospitals, 124 clinics, and 333 pharmacies, serving over 17 million patients across GCC annually. Its diverse portfolio spans primary to quaternary care, alongside diagnostics, retail, wellness, and digital health platforms, delivering accessible, world-class healthcare across all levels.

In the GCC, Aster operates under well-recognized brands such as Aster, Medcare, and Access Clinics. The company completed a landmark restructuring in April 2024, with a Fajr Capital–led consortium acquiring a majority stake in its GCC operations. Despite this shift, Aster's Gulf network continues to thrive with a strong portfolio of hospitals and clinics. The group is also driving significant expansion in Saudi Arabia, with a planned $266.5M (SAR 1BN) investment over the next few years to establish 180 pharmacies, five new hospitals, and 30 medical centers, supported by the rollout of the myAster digital platform. This expansion, aligned with Vision 2030, will integrate telehealth, pharmacy and wellness product delivery, and AI-powered innovations, while creating approximately 4,900 new jobs and reinforcing Aster's focus on accessible, customer-centric healthcare.

Recently, Aster Volunteers launched its 64th and 65th Mobile Medical Units to serve communities in Rwanda and Uganda. The mobile units, equipped with telehealth and other advanced medical facilities, will provide free healthcare services to marginalized communities in these countries. In India, the Group operates 19 hospitals with over 5,197 beds, alongside 10 clinics, 203 pharmacies (operated by Alfaone Retail Pharmacies Private Limited under brand license from Aster), and 259 labs and patient experience centers.

With a workforce of over 22,400 professionals in India alone, Aster has committed to an ambitious expansion plan to increase capacity over 13,600 beds over the coming years. This includes the development of new hospitals in Bengaluru, Kerala, and Hyderabad, as well as entry into smaller cities where demand for quality healthcare is rising. The planned merger with Quality Care India Ltd. (QCIL) is expected to create one of India's top three hospital chains, with over 10,366 beds and a robust pipeline for future growth. From being recognized among the world's best hospitals to shaping the future of healthcare in India, Aster DM continues to expand its impact with a long-term vision of quality, accessibility, and excellence in patient care.