Latest news with #AlishaMoopen
Mid East Info
07-07-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Aster Clinics Launches Smyl AI, the UAE's First AI-Powered Dental Screening Tool, Pioneering a New Era of Accessible Dental Care
In a major leap toward accessible and technology-driven oral healthcare, Aster Clinics, a leading integrated healthcare provider under Aster DM Healthcare in the GCC, has officially launched Smyl AI – the UAE's first AI-powered Dental Bot, designed to redefine how dental care is delivered and experienced. Smyl AI offers free, instant dental screenings via WhatsApp, making oral health assessments easier, faster, and more accessible than ever before. The launch of Smyl AI marks the beginning of Aster Clinics' Smarter Smiles initiative in the UAE – dedicated to enhancing awareness, enabling early detection, and promoting proactive dental care across the country. Developed in collaboration with India-based an expert in AI health technology, Smyl AI is the first solution of its kind to be introduced in the UAE dental landscape. The innovative AI-enabled tool empowers users to complete a dental screening in under 2 minutes by answering a few simple questions and uploading three images of their teeth (upper, lower, and front). The AI tool then generates a free dental health report, highlighting potential concerns such as cavities, gum disease, plaque, and stains. Users can then easily schedule a consultation with a dental specialist at their nearest Aster Clinic for further evaluation and care. Speaking about this initiative, Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare, said 'Technology holds immense potential to transform healthcare, and Smyl AI is a perfect example of how innovation can bridge the gap between awareness and access. Through this initiative, we aim to encourage early diagnosis and preventive care in oral health, an area that often gets neglected until symptoms become severe. At Aster, we are committed to putting powerful tools into the hands of our patients—literally—so they can take charge of their health with confidence and ease.' A recent survey conducted on UAE residents revealed that 80% of participants suffer from dental caries, with 50% visiting a dentist only when in pain, and just 20% making annual dental visits. These alarming statistics highlight the pressing need for regular dental screening and education about oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene, sugary diets, and low awareness continue to be key contributors. Other prevalent oral health issues include gum and periodontal diseases, plaque and tartar deposits, stains, and mouth sores, as indicated by the survey.[1] Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, CEO of Aster Hospitals and Clinics – UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, commented 'Oral health is a window to overall well-being. Yet, many residents delay dental visits due to fear, cost, or inconvenience. With Smyl AI, we've created an experience that's quick, non-intrusive, and empowering. Our goal is to integrate technology and care—making dental assessments not only more accurate but also more approachable for families, working professionals, and communities across the UAE.' Smyl AI is accessible via WhatsApp by visiting and starting a chat with 'Hi Aster UAE.' From there, users can select their preferred language, input personal details, upload photos, and receive a comprehensive screening report—entirely free of cost. The tool instantly connects users with Aster Clinic's network of 30+ expert dental specialists for personalized treatment and trusted care. The tool ensures data privacy by complying with UAE healthcare information protection regulations and using secure, encrypted transmission protocols. All patient data is handled with utmost confidentiality and stored only with user consent. With a strong legacy of healthcare excellence, Aster's dental team offers professional advice, compassionate care, and reliable treatment outcomes you can trust. With a growing footprint of 110 Aster Clinics across the UAE, this first-of-its-kind initiative positions Aster Clinics as a pioneer in integrating AI into mainstream dental care. While currently in pilot phase at Aster Clinic Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), the Smyl AI dental screening tool will soon be rolled out across Aster Clinics throughout the UAE. In line with the UAE's vision for improving healthcare access and awareness, Aster Clinics is committed to using innovative solutions like Smyl AI to drive positive changes in the oral health landscape.
Mint
04-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Aster DM sets sights on pan-India expansion after merger with Quality Care
Aster DM Healthcare's merger with Blackstone-backed Quality Care India Ltd (QCIL) was an inflection point for the hospital chain as it embarks on an ambitious expansion plan, deputy managing director and promoter Alisha Moopen told Mint in an interview. The Bengaluru-based hospital group aims to expand its footprint across the country and become a pan-India healthcare leader in the next ten years, said Moopen. However, even as the company explores further inorganic opportunities, it is treading cautiously. 'It has to make business sense…transactions are hard to execute because Indian markets have become so hot," said Moopen. 'But if there's a great asset at the right price…of course, we'll look at it," she added. Read more: Apollo Hospitals: Simplifying corporate structure could lead to rerating The merged entity Aster DM Quality Care Ltd, jointly controlled by Aster's promoters and Blackstone, is in the fray for the acquisition of Canada's Ontario Teachers Pension Plan (OTPP)-owned Sahyadri Hospitals, according to media reports citing sources. The Pune-based hospital has also reportedly received bids from Manipal Hospitals, Sweden-based investment firm EQT, and Malaysia-based IHH Healthcare. While Moopen declined to comment on the Sahyadri bid, she said that Aster would focus on the brand, reputation, trust and valuation of an asset when evaluating an acquisition. '…for us, we are all about sustainable growth," she said. Aster DM announced in late November 2024 that it was merging with QCIL in a deal that will value the combined entity at $5.08 billion ( ₹43,000 crore). The merger is expected to conclude in the next six months. The deal catapulted the merged entity among the top three hospital chains in India by bed size. The combined entity will have 10,301 beds, doubling from Aster DM's current bed capacity of 5,159. It also opens up new markets for Aster, which already has a strong footprint in Kerala and Karnataka, in new states like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu. 'The transaction is an inflection point for the organization, and it's something which we believe will really set us up to become the gold standard for healthcare here," said Moopen, adding that the hospital chain, which has its roots in Dubai, is 'probably one of the youngest [healthcare] brands in this country". 'We were spending a lot of time just setting up the core and setting the foundation. But now hopefully with this merger, we can really sort of have that exponential growth," said Moopen. Expansion plans The merged entity has plans to grow organically through greenfield and brownfield projects in south and central India where Aster DM and Quality Care have strongholds. The total planned bed addition is over 3,300 beds over the next three years. However, growing pan-India and entering new markets is more challenging, said Moopen. 'It takes a good five to ten years to understand a new market," she said, adding that it's all about understanding regional nuances. However, making inroads through an already established player, via an acquisition or a merger, offers up an opportunity to meaningfully scale up in new markets, she added. 'When the merger was happening, that was one of the biggest advantages we saw. Because it opens up three, four new states for us," said Moopen. '...we said, this is great. We don't have to go in from scratch." Read more: Inside Cipla's battle with 'superbugs' as antibiotic resistance rises in India The company plans to grow organically for the next three to four years in its core markets through strategic bed capacity addition, with a total capex outlay of ₹1,878 crore. However, the company is already eyeing the North India market and hopes to start making inroads in the next two to three years. 'Whether we plan that organically or inorganically will depend on what happens in the next couple of years in terms of the opportunities that come up…we are evaluating all aspects," said Moopen. The company plans to fund its organic growth through internal accruals, and will explore raising debt for its inorganic plans, said Moopen. India's private healthcare space is seeing a spree of expansions and consolidation, with major competitors like Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare and Narayana Health announcing large expansion plans for the next four to five years. According to a 2024 report by HSBC Global Research, seven listed hospitals will add 14,000 beds over the course of 3-5 years. Read more: Will Torrent Pharma's big bet on JB Chemicals pay off?
Web Release
03-06-2025
- Health
- Web Release
Aster Clinics and DYU Healthcare Launch Integrated Child Development Centre in Dubai
Aster Clinics, a leading integrated healthcare provider under Aster DM Healthcare GCC, in collaboration with DYU Healthcare, a prominent leader in child development services, has announced the opening of a new Integrated Child Development Centre in Bur Dubai, Dubai. This innovative centre offers a holistic approach to child development, providing a comprehensive range of interdisciplinary therapy services tailored to the unique needs of children of all abilities. An extension of Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai (AJMC), the centre offers screening, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention services designed to enhance key developmental areas such as mobility, strength, coordination, cognition, communication, social skills, and emotional growth. By nurturing these abilities, the centre empowers children to navigate the world with greater confidence and independence. The centre follows a unique interdisciplinary model, bringing together medical doctors and rehabilitation professionals to develop individualized care plans tailored to each child's specific needs. Services include screening and diagnosis of developmental delays, neurodevelopmental, communication, and motor disorders, as well as behavioral assessments. Evaluations cover speech and language skills, sensory integration, IQ testing, and special education needs, addressing conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, and speech-language disorders. As part of its comprehensive diagnostic framework, the centre offers Psycho-Educational Analysis to integrate insights across disciplines and create personalized intervention plans. Equipped with internationally recognized assessment tools, it ensures evidence-based care across all stages—from screening to therapy—for children aged 0–16 years. What sets this centre apart is its seamless collaboration between medical and rehabilitation teams, combining hospital and clinic-based care under one roof. DYU Healthcare's proven Standard Operating Procedures, developed over a decade of experience in India, guide the centre's operations. This includes care for children discharged from the NICU and those requiring ongoing support in early childhood. DYU's team-based approach has consistently delivered impactful outcomes for children with a wide range of developmental challenges. In this collaboration, DYU Healthcare is responsible for the day-to-day operations and the implementation of its proven models of care, while Aster Clinics provides strategic leadership and guidance, to ensure the integration of these services within the UAE healthcare landscape. This partnership brings together Aster's established healthcare infrastructure and DYU's specialized expertise in child development. Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director & Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, expressed her enthusiasm for the centre's opening, saying, 'The Integrated Child Development Centre is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to children and families in the UAE. Our partnership with DYU Healthcare enables us to offer a truly holistic and integrated approach to child development. This is only the beginning, and we are excited to expand these services across the Aster Network in the UAE.' Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, CEO of Aster Hospitals & Clinics in the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman, emphasized the importance of addressing the growing demand for specialized care in the UAE. 'With the increasing number of parents concerned about their children's development or behavior due to disorders like ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, this centre will provide proper assessment, counseling and integrated, specialized care for children if required. Our goal is to deliver early, impactful interventions that will make a lasting difference to children's lives.' Dr. Prashanth Gowda, Co-Founder of DYU Healthcare Consultancy and Founder of DYU Healthcare India, shared his excitement about the new partnership, stating, ' We are excited to launch this first-of-its-kind Child Development Centre in Bur Dubai, offering medical, paramedical, and remedial services under one roof to save parents time and resources. Our expert team, trained in top allied health institutions in India, uses the latest international tools for evidence-based, tailored interventions. We look forward to expanding Aster DYU Centres across the UAE to serve more children.' Operating daily from 9 AM to 7 PM, the centre will deliver over 20,000 therapy sessions annually, serving around 350 children and conducting assessments for approximately 500. With a skilled team, advanced equipment, and an interdisciplinary approach, it ensures comprehensive, evidence-based care. Over the next two years, the centre plans to expand to 10 locations across the UAE. It will also launch cultural activities, competitions, and community outreach, including partnerships with local nurseries, primary, and middle schools to extend services within school premises. This collaboration between Aster Clinics and DYU Healthcare marks a major step forward in child development care in the UAE, promising lasting impact for children and their families.
Mid East Info
02-06-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Aster Clinics and DYU Healthcare Launch Integrated Child Development Centre in Dubai - Middle East Business News and Information
Aster Clinics, a leading integrated healthcare provider under Aster DM Healthcare GCC, in collaboration with DYU Healthcare, a prominent leader in child development services, has announced the opening of a new Integrated Child Development Centre in Bur Dubai, Dubai. This innovative centre offers a holistic approach to child development, providing a comprehensive range of interdisciplinary therapy services tailored to the unique needs of children of all abilities. An extension of Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai (AJMC), the centre offers screening, assessment, diagnosis, and intervention services designed to enhance key developmental areas such as mobility, strength, coordination, cognition, communication, social skills, and emotional growth. By nurturing these abilities, the centre empowers children to navigate the world with greater confidence and independence. The centre follows a unique interdisciplinary model, bringing together medical doctors and rehabilitation professionals to develop individualized care plans tailored to each child's specific needs. Services include screening and diagnosis of developmental delays, neurodevelopmental, communication, and motor disorders, as well as behavioral assessments. Evaluations cover speech and language skills, sensory integration, IQ testing, and special education needs, addressing conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Down Syndrome, learning disabilities, and speech-language disorders. As part of its comprehensive diagnostic framework, the centre offers Psycho-Educational Analysis to integrate insights across disciplines and create personalized intervention plans. Equipped with internationally recognized assessment tools, it ensures evidence-based care across all stages—from screening to therapy—for children aged 0–16 years. What sets this centre apart is its seamless collaboration between medical and rehabilitation teams, combining hospital and clinic-based care under one roof. DYU Healthcare's proven Standard Operating Procedures, developed over a decade of experience in India, guide the centre's operations. This includes care for children discharged from the NICU and those requiring ongoing support in early childhood. DYU's team-based approach has consistently delivered impactful outcomes for children with a wide range of developmental challenges. In this collaboration, DYU Healthcare is responsible for the day-to-day operations and the implementation of its proven models of care, while Aster Clinics provides strategic leadership and guidance, to ensure the integration of these services within the UAE healthcare landscape. This partnership brings together Aster's established healthcare infrastructure and DYU's specialized expertise in child development. Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director & Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, expressed her enthusiasm for the centre's opening, saying, 'The Integrated Child Development Centre is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to children and families in the UAE. Our partnership with DYU Healthcare enables us to offer a truly holistic and integrated approach to child development. This is only the beginning, and we are excited to expand these services across the Aster Network in the UAE.' Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, CEO of Aster Hospitals & Clinics in the UAE, Bahrain, and Oman, emphasized the importance of addressing the growing demand for specialized care in the UAE. 'With the increasing number of parents concerned about their children's development or behavior due to disorders like ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, this centre will provide proper assessment, counseling and integrated, specialized care for children if required. Our goal is to deliver early, impactful interventions that will make a lasting difference to children's lives.' Dr. Prashanth Gowda, Co-Founder of DYU Healthcare Consultancy and Founder of DYU Healthcare India, shared his excitement about the new partnership, stating, ' We are excited to launch this first-of-its-kind Child Development Centre in Bur Dubai, offering medical, paramedical, and remedial services under one roof to save parents time and resources. Our expert team, trained in top allied health institutions in India, uses the latest international tools for evidence-based, tailored interventions. We look forward to expanding Aster DYU Centres across the UAE to serve more children.' Operating daily from 9 AM to 7 PM, the centre will deliver over 20,000 therapy sessions annually, serving around 350 children and conducting assessments for approximately 500. With a skilled team, advanced equipment, and an interdisciplinary approach, it ensures comprehensive, evidence-based care. Over the next two years, the centre plans to expand to 10 locations across the UAE. It will also launch cultural activities, competitions, and community outreach, including partnerships with local nurseries, primary, and middle schools to extend services within school premises. This collaboration between Aster Clinics and DYU Healthcare marks a major step forward in child development care in the UAE, promising lasting impact for children and their families.
Al Bawaba
21-05-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Aster DM Healthcare Recognized as Great Place To Work™ in Saudi Arabia, GCC
Aster DM Healthcare, one of the largest integrated healthcare providers in the GCC, has been certified as a Great Place to Work® in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Qatar. This recognition reflects Aster's commitment to cultivating a workplace culture where employees feel valued, empowered, and proud to contribute to the organization's mission. Guided by its core values – Passion, Compassion, Integrity, Excellence, Unity, and Respect, Aster DM Healthcare places its people at the heart of its success. Aster's commitment to its brand promise, 'We'll Treat You Well,' goes beyond patients to include its employees as well. By recognizing their achievements, investing in skill development opportunities, and fostering open communication, Aster has cultivated an inclusive and supportive environment where employees thrive. The organization's culture of listening allows feedback from frontline staff to shape policies and enhance the work environment continuously. With these initiatives, Aster remains steadfast in its dedication to nurturing a workplace that empowers its people to deliver the best care. Commenting on the recognition, Alisha Moopen, Managing Director & Group CEO, Aster DM Healthcare said, 'Our people are our greatest strength, and this recognition affirms the culture we have built over the years and try to nourish every day. At Aster, we are committed to creating a workplace that values, inspires, and supports every individual, ensuring their growth aligns with the larger mission of the organization.' Mohamed Alshamari, Chief Executive Officer, Aster Hospitals & Clinics – KSA, commented on the achievement, "At Aster, we believe that a thriving workplace culture translates into exceptional patient care. This recognition in Saudi Arabia is a testament to our commitment to fostering an environment where our employees feel seen and have opportunities to grow. As we continue to expand in the Kingdom, we remain dedicated to investing in our people, enhancing career opportunities for Saudi Nationals, and building a strong, inclusive team that drives our mission forward." Aster has an employee base of 15,000+ across the GCC, one of the largest in the region here. A total of 76% of Aster's workforce rated the organization as a great place to work. This statistic highlights the strong sense of community and the inclusive, nurturing environment that has been built over the last 38 years. In KSA, the organization's network includes Aster Sanad Hospital in Riyadh, along with 16 pharmacies supported by its digital health platform, myAster. Jacob Jacob, Group Chief Human Resources Officer added, 'Our people will always be our competitive advantage. This certification is a testament to the strong sense of community we've built within Aster. Our efforts to create an environment of trust, respect, and growth have enabled our employees to feel deeply connected to our mission and values. This is just the beginning as we remain committed to nurturing their well-being and empowering their professional journeys.' "Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is the sole official recognition earned by the real-time feedback of employees regarding their company culture. 'By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that Aster DM Healthcare stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees." With a workforce of over 1,000+ in Saudi Arabia alone, Aster DM Healthcare is united by individuals who embody its mission of providing accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare. The company plans to expand its workforce in the Kingdom, along with expanding career opportunities for Saudi Nationals, implementing leadership development initiatives, and supporting local health campaigns aligned with the Kingdom's vision for a healthier future.
