From a Single Clinic to a Nationwide Healthcare Leader: The Aster India Growth Story
Aster India – a huge name for speciality healthcare in South India. But, do you know it made its humble beginnings from a small clinic? Well, going back in time and exploring the journey of Aster India into what it stands today is indeed a unique experience in itself.
In this blog, we will explore how Aster India became a reliable name in healthcare from its humble beginnings.
A Vision that Transformed Healthcare
It all began in 1987. Dr Azad Moopen arrived in Dubai with an aim of raising funds for renovating a mosque in his native village, Kalpakanchery, Kerala. But destiny had other plans. The simple fundraising turned into the most remarkable healthcare success stories in the Middle East and India.
On December 11, 1987, Dr Moopen opened Al Rafa Poly Clinic in Bur Dubai. It marked the humble beginnings of becoming Aster DM Healthcare.
Today, Aster India is the fourth-largest healthcare service provider in India, operating 19 hospitals with 5,159 beds, 10 clinics, 203 pharmacies, and 254 labs and patient experience centres across five states. This transformation from a single-doctor clinic to a healthcare conglomerate is a big achievement. It also talks about a commitment to patient care and the power of accessible, quality healthcare.
The Genesis: One Doctor, One Clinic, One Dream
Dr Azad Moopen is a gold medalist in MBBS and a postgraduate in General Medicine from the Government Medical College, Kozhikode. When he arrived in the UAE in February 1987, he needed Rs. 1 million (approximately Dh250,000 at the time) for the mosque renovation project. Dr Moopen leased a two-bedroom apartment in Bur Dubai and started Al Rafa Poly Clinic to generate funds.
Of course, there were a few early challenges. These included operating in a foreign land, establishing credibility, and building a patient base, which required immense dedication and perseverance. However, his commitment, compassionate care and excellence made him have a loyal following.
The philosophy of treating patients well became Aster’s global brand promise – “We’ll Treat You Well”
Building the Foundation: The Expansion Era (1996–2001)
The success achieved through the Al Rafa Poly Clinic led to a series of expansions through the 1990s. Dr Moopen realised the growing need for healthcare services across the emerging emirate and established additional clinics and diagnostic centres across Dubai.
1995 saw the launch of his first speciality medical centre in Dubai. This was the first step in the evolution of the franchise from basic primary care to specialised medical services.
The next step was the launch of Union Pharmacy in Bur Dubai. This expanded the reach from the healthcare ecosystem beyond clinical services to include pharmaceutical accessibility. The Al Rafa Clinic was later rebranded as Aster Jubilee Medical Complex.
The 1990s led to the next stage of Aster’s growth. It began following an integrated approach that included clinics, diagnostic centres, and pharmacies.
Aster Crosses Borders: The First Steps into India
The year 2001 marked another massive launch in the history of Aster. Aster launched the first clinic in India with the launch of MIMS (Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences) Hospital in Kozhikode, Kerala. This 600-bed multi-speciality hospital was inaugurated in partnership with local stakeholders. It introduced world-class healthcare services to Kerala at affordable prices. It also launched the Aster hospitals in India.
Soon, it became first multi-speciality hospital to receive NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers) accreditation in 2007. The MIMS Charitable Trust was established in 2002 to take up social initiatives. This trust launched dialysis centres, early detection and cancer screening programs. This established Aster as the clear leader in quality healthcare accessible to all sections of society.
Strengthening the Brand: 2002–2007
The period between 2002 and 2007 was marked by the consolidation of its presence in the UAE through strategic partnerships. Dr Moopen’s Healthcare Management Services LLC was established in Dubai. It was followed by Dr Moopen’s Polyclinic and Dr Moopen’s Al Quoz Medical Centre.
In 2005, Al Rafa Hospital for Maternity and Surgery commenced operations. In the following year, Medcare Hospital opened its doors in Dubai. This introduced the Medcare brand to UAE.
It was during this period that Aster transitioned from the local healthcare service provider to a regional healthcare group. The group diversified into different brands – Aster, Medcare, and later Access. It also marked the transformation of the brand into an organisation to cater to different patient segments and economic demographics, reinforcing the vision of making healthcare accessible to all.
Recognition and Growth: 2008–2011
The next step was to attain the status of corporate growth. In 2008, DM Healthcare Private Limited was established on January 18, 2008, in Kochi, Kerala. Later on, it was rebranded as Aster DM Healthcare Private Limited to align with the well-established Aster brand. That was the turning point in Aster DM Healthcare’s journey.
The same year, Aster received institutional investment. India Value Fund III A acquired 28.20% equity stake in the company. In 2009, the group established Al Raffah Hospital in Muscat, Oman. It marked the entry of Aster into the Sultanate. Another facility was established in Sohar in 2010. This led the group to develop into several GCC countries.
The moment of pride came in 2011. Dr Azad Moopen was awarded Padma Shri by the government of India. He received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2010. These accolades brought national recognition to Dr Moopen’s pioneering work.
2011 saw the expansion of Aster from Kerala into Maharashtra. Aster inaugurated MIMS Hospital in Kottakkal and Aster Aadhar Hospital in Kolhapur in 2011. It was also during this period that all the operations of the group were consolidated into Aster brand. This helped the brand to create a unified brand identity.
Aster also came up with a unique initiative in 2011 in UAE with its Aster Mobile Clinic. This helped bring the healthcare services to the doorsteps of the public.
Pioneering a New Phase: 2012–2016
The period between 2012 and 2016 marked the launch of flagship hospitals. The two major launches in 2012 were Aster Medcity in Kochi and Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru.
Aster Medcity is set on a scenic 40-acre waterfront campus. It has a 670-bed quaternary care facility. It provided world-class healthcare to the people of Kerala. JCI, NABH, and NABL accredit the facility. Aster Medcity established nine Centres of Excellence covering cardiac sciences, neurosciences, orthopaedics, oncology, gastroenterology, nephrology, women’s health, paediatrics, and multi-organ transplantation.
Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru is a state-of-the-art facility. It has nearly 500 beds. JCI and NABH accredit the facility. Aster CMI established itself among Bangalore’s top multi-speciality hospitals, offering advanced centres of excellence in cardiac sciences, oncology, neurosciences, and organ transplantation.
The group launched a host of facilities during this period. This included the launch of MILES (Moopen’s Institute of Local Empowerment), a village adoption and women empowerment initiative. It also acquired majority stakes in Dr Ramesh Hospital and DM WINS (Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences).
Going Public: Aster’s Major Leap (2018–2019)
In February 2018, the brand went public with its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Indian stock exchanges. The IPO proceeds were used for repayment of debt, purchase of medical equipment, and general corporate purposes.
The IPO further strengthened its strategic acquisitions. It acquired majority stakes in Sanghamitra Hospitals and Prime Hospitals in Hyderabad. Prime Hospitals, operating facilities in Ameerpet and Kukatpally with 250 beds, was acquired for approximately ₹75 crore.
More hospitals came up in Kannur, Kerala, and Bengaluru. Aster Labs was launched in 2018, marking the entry of the brand into the diagnostics market. Aster Labs brought advanced diagnostic capabilities, including pathology, radiology, cytogenetics, histopathology, and molecular diagnostics, to complement the hospital network.
Aster expanded during this period into Jordan and Kuwait. This established its presence across the GCC countries.
Healthcare for All: Affordable and Accessible Care
Aster has always focused on bringing healthcare closer to people. Access Clinics were launched in the UAE as budget-friendly facilities. Five Access Clinics were established by 2013, offering essential healthcare services at affordable rates.
The diversification continued through the launch of Aster Optical and Aster IVF Clinics in Dubai. In India, the focus was on tier 2 and tier 3 cities. The brand established branches in Kozhikode, Kannur, Kottakkal, Guntur, Vijayawada, and Kolhapur.
Innovation and Technology: The Aster Advantage
Aster DM Hospitals are known for the early adoption of cutting-edge medical technologies. The brand established digital healthcare systems and telemedicine platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aster Medcity pioneered robotic-assisted surgeries through the Aster Minimal Access Robotic Surgery (MARS) Program. In fact, it was the first facility to launch Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for critically ill patients.
Aster Labs evolved into India’s fastest-growing diagnostic chains with a focus on automation and AI. It offers over 2,500 tests across specialities. These include cytogenetics, histopathology, molecular biology, and therapeutic drug monitoring.
The Aster Health App was launched to integrate the entire healthcare ecosystem.
Resilience and Expansion: 2021–2023
The period between 2021 and 2023 was marked by a significant expansion. Aster launched dedicated Women & Children Hospitals in Whitefield, Bengaluru (2021), and Women & Children wings at MIMS Kottakkal, Kerala.
2022 saw a significant milestone with the launch of 200th Aster Pharmacy in Trivandrum, Kerala. The brand became one of the fastest-growing pharmacy chains in the country. By February 2023, the network expanded to over 250 pharmacies across Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
New hospitals were launched in Sharjah and International City, UAE, during this period. Aster announced plans to establish Innovation and Research Centres in both GCC and India.
2024 and Beyond: Redefining Healthcare Boundaries
The growth is still continuing for Aster in 2024 and even beyond. In March 2024, the brand announced the separation of its operations in the GCC countries and India. Fajr Capital-led consortium acquired a 65% stake in Aster GCC. The Moopen family retained 35% along with operational control.
In India, Aster launched two new hospitals. Aster Whitefield Hospital, a 506-bed multi-speciality facility in Bangalore, opened in October 2023 with advanced centres of excellence. Aster PMF (Padmavati Medical Foundation) Hospital in Kollam commenced operations in 2023. The hospital offers 16 specialities, including cardiac sciences, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, and nephrology.
Apart from the healthcare services, Aster also has its operations spread across green initiatives. It established an 8.5 MW solar park in Kasargod, Kerala. The solar park currently powers Aster’s Calicut and Kannur hospitals, with plans to expand to 36 MW across Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra clusters.
The Brand Promise: “We’ll Treat You Well”
The success of Aster lies in its brand promise – “We’ll Treat You Well”. The statement focuses on the organisation’s commitment to compassionate care, clinical excellence, and patient-centricity. The brand promise is not merely a marketing slogan but a cultural embodiment of care, compassion, and trust that permeates every Aster facility.
From the front desk to the operating theatre, from diagnostic labs to pharmacies, every touchpoint reflects this commitment to treating people well.
Aster’s Core Values: The Pillars of Success
Aster DM Healthcare focuses on six core pillars for its success.
- Excellence: The brand focuses on continuous improvement. In 2023, Aster achieved an 88% rating in patient satisfaction surveys and secured JCI accreditation for multiple facilities.
- Respect: Aster respects its patients and its workforce. It is regarded as the best place to work.
- Compassion: Compassionate care is what makes it a powerful healthcare brand. Since 2022, Aster has conducted free medical camps serving over 10,000 individuals in underprivileged areas.
- Passion: The team has a complete sense of belongingness towards the stakeholders.
- Integrity: Aster believes in doing its work without compromises.
- Unity: Aster believes in collaborative power to achieve success.
The Chairman’s Vision: Message from Dr Azad Moopen
We have been consistent in our mission to provide quality healthcare at an affordable cost. Our team believes there is no finishing line in the race for excellence, and accessibility to healthcare services is a priority. Therefore, we provide services closer to our customers through the extensive network of Hospitals, Clinics, Diagnostic labs and Pharmacies.
I firmly believe that the ‘recipe’ for success has always been the blessings of the Almighty, the support of the visionary leaders and people of the countries we operate and the hard work of the united and passionate team of Asterian.
Empowering Communities: CSR and Beyond
Aster Volunteers was launched in 2016 as the CSR arm of Aster DM Healthcare. It brings together volunteers in community development, medical and wellness camps, disaster recovery, child health, and differently-abled community empowerment.
The MIMS Charitable Trust, incorporated in 2002, extends treatment at subsidised costs to the underprivileged. Initiatives include dialysis centres, early cancer detection centres in Alappuzha, Kannur, and Kasargod, free heart surgeries, village adoption programs, and medical diagnostic centres in underserved areas.
Building a Future-Ready Healthcare Ecosystem
Aster is committed to research and development in the healthcare industry. The Aster Innovation and Research Centre focuses on bridging science and service through clinical research, medical education, and technology innovation.
The group also has strategic partnerships with global medical institutions. The integration of artificial intelligence in diagnostics, robotic surgery systems, telemedicine platforms, and electronic health records creates a connected, efficient healthcare ecosystem.
Aster is also involved in medical education through DM WINS (Wayanad Institute of Medical Sciences). The institution provides comprehensive medical education while serving the healthcare needs of the Wayanad region.
Aster India’s Impact on the Healthcare Landscape
Over the last two decades, Aster DM Healthcare has transformed healthcare industry. They have created thousands of jobs in the healthcare sector. This includes doctors and nurses, technicians, administrators, and support staff.
Aster has pushed competitors and new entrants to improve their standards. The accreditations, such as NABH, JCI, NABL and many others, are a testament to their focus on quality healthcare. This has been instrumental in raising the benchmark in healthcare.
Aster has played a crucial role in nurturing Indian medical talent for global excellence. Many doctors trained and employed at Aster facilities have gained international recognition for their clinical expertise and research contributions.
Lessons from the Journey: The Aster Success Model
The successful journey of Aster has several lessons to learn. The visionary leadership of Dr Moopen has made healthcare affordable to the last mile. The approach focused on the patients and their well-being is another lesson that competitors can learn.
Another achievement that Aster has been able to achieve lies in its adaptability to challenging conditions. The integrated ecosystem of hospitals, clinics, labs, and pharmacies creates multiple touch points and revenue streams.
You can also learn from their focus on social responsibility initiatives. Early investment in digital health, telemedicine, robotic surgery, and AI-powered diagnostics positions Aster as an innovation leader.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
The Aster India growth story is unique. Aster has grown from a single clinic in 1987 to a trusted healthcare powerhouse operating across multiple countries. This is a result of the power of vision, dedication, and compassionate care. Aster continues to expand its reach while maintaining its commitment to quality.
Aster’s Vision 2030 aims to transform the organisation into a global healthcare ecosystem that seamlessly integrates physical infrastructure, digital platforms, research capabilities, and educational institutions.
The promise remains unchanged: “We’ll Treat You Well”.
