Aster DM Healthcare GCC, after its strategic separation from the India business, is setting its sights on becoming a healthcare leader in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Alisha Moopen, the managing director and group CEO, outlined the company’s ambitious goals in an interview with Khaleej Times on Wednesday.
The decision to separate the GCC and India operations is driven by the differing growth dynamics and business strategies in these markets. With its newfound status as a private entity, Aster GCC is now keenly focused on operations across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Jordan. The organization is set to bolster its leadership in the GCC healthcare sector through strategic partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions, with a particular emphasis on flourishing markets like Saudi Arabia. Moopen emphasized that delivering high-quality healthcare services, expanding bed capacity, diversifying revenues, and embracing digital healthcare solutions to adapt to changing patient needs are at the core of Aster GCC’s strategy.
Recently, Fajr Capital acquired a 65% stake in Aster GCC. This partnership is expected to drive significant growth, improve operational efficiency, and support an ambitious expansion strategy across the region, especially in pivotal markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman. Moopen expressed confidence in the growth prospects of the GCC healthcare market, attributing the positive outlook to factors like increasing demand for hospital beds, expansion of healthcare services, and rising investments in the sector. The region’s reliance on insurance-driven markets, focusing on primary and secondary healthcare services, presents further opportunities for growth in tertiary and quaternary care facilities.
Aster’s future plans in the UAE include enhancing healthcare offerings, particularly in tertiary and quaternary care. An example of this expansion is the inauguration of Medcare Royal Hospital, a 126-bed super specialty hospital in Al Qusais, aiming to be a world-class destination for advanced healthcare catering to both local and international patients. Additionally, the company’s expansion into key markets, new wellness-focused business lines (Wellth), the launch of specialized centers, and a focus on digital healthcare solutions like telehealth and the myAster app, are integral to its strategy to meet the evolving healthcare needs in the UAE.
This strategic move marks a new chapter for Aster DM Healthcare GCC, signifying a stronger, more focused approach towards elevating healthcare standards and service offerings across the GCC region. With these ambitious plans in place, Aster GCC is poised to shape the future of healthcare in the region, integrating cutting-edge solutions and expanding its reach to new markets and services.
