INDIA'S MEDICAL MOMENTUM: STRATEGIC MERGERS, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

From mega-mergers creating 14,000-bed hospital chains to Al-powered diagnostics reaching remote villages, India's healthcare landscape is being redrawn at breakneck speed. The challenge now is ensuring that advanced care, green infrastructure, and global investment translate into equitable access for every citizen.

- Nehal Gautam

Imagine a busy hospital ward where technology helps doctors work faster, or a small-town clinic reaching more patients through smarter systems.

These are the kinds of changes Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, sees as vital for India's healthcare future. From a single clinic in Dubai in 1987, Dr. Moopen has helped grow Aster into a major network, with over 900 facilities, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and diagnostics, across India and the GCC.

In an exclusive interview with Healthcare Radius, Dr. Moopen shares his insights on the shifts shaping India’s healthcare landscape. He highlights the recent merger of Aster DM Healthcare with Quality Care India Ltd., backed by Blackstone, which could create one of India's top three hospital chains, with over 10,000 beds and plans to expand to 14,190. This isn't just about growth, it's about improving care and reaching more people. He also discusses how tech, like Al and telemedicine, is speeding up diagnoses and connecting remote areas to better care. Aster's efforts, like the Aster Health App and an Al lab with IISc, show this in action.

The conversation also touches on India’s medical tourism market, set to grow from USD 18.2 billion in 2025 to USD 58.2 billion by 2035. Dr. Moopen explains how hospitals can balance global patients with local needs, using programs like Ayushman Bharat. Dr. Moopen's commitment to community shines through Aster Volunteers, which has helped over six million people with free care and disaster relief, and the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, recognizing nurses worldwide.

With accolades like the Padma Shri, his perspective carries weight. This interview lays out a roadmap for India’s healthcare, through technology, partnerships, and a focus on fairness, ensuring care reaches every corner of the country.