Aster DM Healthcare’s story begins with a firm belief – healthcare is not a privilege but a fundamental right. This conviction drove Dr. Azad Moopen, a physician and philanthropist, to tackle the stark inequities in healthcare access across underserved regions. Recognising the gaps in medical access, Dr. Moopen committed himself to a mission: to bring affordable, high-quality healthcare within reach of every individual, no matter their circumstances or geography.
This singular moment of commitment sparked a journey that would grow beyond imagination, evolving into a mission to transform healthcare on a global scale. This promise, made decades ago by Dr. Azad Moopen, founder and chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, laid the foundation for what would become a global healthcare force driven by bold vision and compassion.
In 2012, Alisha Moopen joined the organisation, bringing fresh perspectives and a drive to further her father’s mission. Since then, she has been instrumental in propelling Aster to extraordinary heights, blending vision, pragmatism, and compassion. Over the past decade, Aster has grown from a trusted regional name into a global healthcare force, impacting millions of lives across geographies and redefining the meaning of accessible healthcare.
“When I joined Aster, it was already a respected brand built on years of dedication by Dr. Azad Moopen, our founder and chairman,” Moopen explains. “The potential was enormous, and the goal was clear: expand access to high-quality, affordable healthcare while staying true to our mission. Everything we’ve done since has been about delivering on that vision.”
One of her proudest achievements has been redefining Aster’s growth story by strategically segmenting its operations across the GCC and India. “It was a turning point,” she says. “We created two distinct entities that could focus on their specific markets while aligning with our overarching goal of accessible healthcare.”
In the GCC, Aster partnered with Fajr Capital, a private equity firm, and set its sights on Saudi Arabia, committing $250m to expand its healthcare network. “We’re not just building hospitals and clinics; we’re creating jobs, supporting local economies, and making healthcare more accessible,” she adds. “Saudi Arabia is a critical market for us, and our investments there are about laying the foundation for a sustainable healthcare ecosystem,” Moopen emphasises. The investment also supports the creation of thousands of local jobs, ensuring Aster’s contribution to economic growth aligns with its healthcare goals.
In India, Aster merged with Quality Care India Limited, backed by Blackstone and TPG, forming one of the country’s top three hospital chains. “This dual transformation,” she says, “has unlocked incredible potential for both regions, allowing us to scale while staying deeply connected to the needs of our patients.” “India’s healthcare sector is unique,” Moopen explains. “It’s about addressing both ends of the spectrum – cutting-edge medical technology and accessible care for underserved populations.” The merger not only expanded Aster’s reach but also reinforced its commitment to bridging the gap between advanced healthcare and underserved communities.
Her Women in Leadership programme exemplifies the organisation’s focus on fostering talent. “We have so many incredible women in our organisation,” she says. “Sixty per cent of our workforce is female, and we’ve seen women rise through the ranks to take on C-suite roles. But there’s still so much more to do.” She highlights one story of a nurse who joined Aster’s leadership programme and is now overseeing multiple clinics. “It’s these individual stories that inspire me,” she says. “When we give people opportunities, they exceed every expectation.” These stories are evidence of Aster’s culture of empowerment, which prioritises not just growth but meaningful advancement.
“We’re working to create pathways for women to thrive, and that’s not just about mentorship or training programmes. It’s about changing mindsets and creating opportunities. My advice to aspiring female leaders? Embrace growth, build your networks, and stay resilient.” She also stresses the importance of organisations providing a support system. “Workplaces need to meet women halfway – whether it’s through flexible policies or leadership pipelines,” she adds. Creating a supportive environment where women feel empowered to balance their professional and personal lives is essential to driving progress in gender diversity.
Mental health, another of Moopen’s focus areas, remains a global challenge. “The pandemic was a wake-up call,” she reflects. “Our frontline workers faced extraordinary stress, and we had to respond. We implemented buddy systems, remote counselling, and other support structures. But as a society, we’re still not where we need to be.” “There’s still a stigma around seeking help,” she explains. “We need better insurance coverage, more skilled professionals, and a cultural shift towards openness.” Aster has initiated partnerships with local organisations to provide affordable mental health services to underserved communities.
“At Aster DM Healthcare, we are committed to fostering a culture where mental health is prioritised, openly discussed, and supported through various initiatives. However, we still have a long way to go as an organisation, as a community, and as a region,” Moopen explains.
She adds, “There are structural issues to address, such as insurance coverage for people who want to seek help, and limited resource availability, such as skilled professionals who can provide the needed help. It is a challenge that we have to collectively address through close collaboration with the government, insurance companies, industry bodies, and the private sector. While substantial progress has been made, there is still a lot that remains to be done.”
Looking ahead, Moopen highlights innovation as a critical driver of healthcare transformation. “Our digital platform, myAster, is a game-changer,” she explains. “It’s not just about booking appointments or teleconsultations. It’s about creating a seamless, patient-centric ecosystem that integrates technology and care.” The platform has become an essential tool for patients, offering a unified experience for managing appointments, accessing health records, and consulting doctors remotely. “This isn’t about tech for tech’s sake,” Moopen insists. “It’s about using innovation to solve real problems – faster diagnoses, better surgical precision, and a more personalised approach to care.” “Patients aren’t just numbers,” she says. “They’re people with stories, and our job is to honour that.”
Moopen’s philosophy, “Healthiness is Happiness,” symbolises Aster’s shift towards wellness-focused care. “Healthcare has traditionally been about treating illness,” she explains. “At Aster, we want to shift that focus to wellness – empowering people to take charge of their health before problems arise.” She adds, “Prevention is not just better than cure; it’s smarter, more sustainable, and ultimately more humane.” This philosophy drives Aster’s focus on primary care and preventive health measures, ensuring patients receive timely interventions.
“We’re trying to simplify health,” she says. “It’s about making the right choices easier and more accessible for everyone.” From community health drives to high-tech wellness tracking through the myAster app, the goal is clear: empower people to live healthier lives. “We want to be partners in our patients’ wellness journeys, not just their moments of crisis,” she adds. This comprehensive approach aims to redefine healthcare as an ongoing partnership rather than a reaction to emergencies.
As for her legacy, Moopen remains focused. “Aster reaches 20 million patients a year. That’s incredible, but it’s just the beginning. My dream is to scale that impact to hundreds of millions, to create a world where high-quality healthcare is not a privilege but a right. If we can do that, I’ll consider my work a success.”
Moopen’s journey with Aster DM Healthcare is far from over. With every milestone reached and every new initiative launched, she’s not just building a company – she’s shaping the future of healthcare. And if her track record is anything to go by, that future looks brighter than ever.