Empowering lives through
compassionate leadership

Dr. Azad Moopen

Committed To Shaping The Future Of Healthcare

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, is a visionary leader with a proven track record of translating innovative concepts into successful ventures.

His strong conviction that healthcare is a service rather than a business, has established Aster DM Healthcare as a pioneering force in the industry. His leadership has shaped the organization’s core values, driving both sustainable growth and a strong commitment to social responsibility.

Dr. Azad Moopen strongly believes in the power of education and has invested in many medical institutions to plug the critical need-gap of availability of medical professionals. He is also deeply committed to shaping the future of healthcare and continuing to make it accessible to larger a population across the world.

Where it all began

Born in 1953 in a provincial town in Kalpakancheri near Calicut in the South Indian State of Kerala, Dr. Moopen, graduated MBBS with a gold medal and holds an MD in General Medicine and a diploma in Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases. He was a lecturer at Calicut Medical College till 1987.

1987

In 1987, Dr. Moopen came to the United Arab Emirates to raise charity as a part of a philanthropic initiative to build a mosque in his hometown. Here he was exposed to the need for proper healthcare services for expatriates in the region and even when he returned back to India, he felt there was something pulling him back to UAE. A dear friend of Dr. Moopen’s encouraged him to start his own clinic.

So in December 1987, Dr. Moopen started the first clinic called the Al Rafa Polyclinic. Dr. Moopen could quickly spot the bigger picture and emerging trends in Dubai’s health sector and decided to explore untapped opportunities. What started as a single doctor clinic in Dubai, quickly formulated into a long-term vision. His entrepreneurial skills, the uncanny ability to see and do things differently and his belief in one’s social responsibility paid off.

Under his visionary leadership, the organisation has grown from a single clinic in 1987 in Dubai to a conglomerate consisting of hospitals, clinics, lab & diagnostic centers, pharmacies, and retail across 7 countries. Through the brands Aster, Medcare, the organisation caters to the healthcare requirement of all segments of the society.

Powered by Humanity

Dr. Azad Moopen started Aster Volunteers with a singular vision: To unite people from all walks of life in helping make the world a little better.

With a two-fold approach, Aster Volunteers encourages its members to personally take part in as many charitable projects as possible. On the other hand, the institution is also working to build a combined volunteer force consisting of Aster employees and members of the public, who are willing to utilise their time and energy to make a meaningful impact on society.

Aster Volunteers initiatives seek to contribute to the advancement of underserved sections of society through both medical and non-medical assistance.

Achievements & Accolades

2009

Conferred the ‘Best Doctor Award’ by the Government of Kerala.

2010

Honored with the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Samman’ by the Government of India.

2010

‘ARAB HEALTH AWARD’ for Outstanding Contribution of an Individual to the Middle East Healthcare Industry.

2010

‘Arabian Business Achievement Award’ from the ITP Publishing Group.

2011

Recipient of the ‘Padma Shri’ Award,the 4th highest civilian award by the Government of India.

2015

Awarded the ‘Healthcare CEO of the Year’ at the CEO Middle East Awards.

2017

Listed No. 6 in the ‘Top 100 Indian Business Leaders in UAE’ by Forbes.

2018

Honored with the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at 10th edition of The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce (FICCI) Healthcare Excellence Awards.

2018

Honored with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Gulf Indian Leadership Summit.

2018

Recognized as one of the ‘100 Most Inspiring Leaders in the Middle

East’ by Arabian Business Magazine.

2019

Awarded with Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), UK, for his significant contribution to the medical and healthcare profession.

2019

Honored with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the 9th Entrepreneur India Awards.

2019

Received the ‘Visionary CEO of the Year Award’ in recognition of his contribution at the CEO Middle East Awards by ITP Group.

Building Success, Nurturing Community

Receiving “Pravasi Bharatiya Samman” Award in 2009 from Smt. Pratibha Patil, the then President of India.

Dr, Moopen has earmarked 20% of his personal wealth for philanthropic activities, especially for meeting the needs of those who cannot afford healthcare.

Dr. Azad Moopen with the former President of India, Late Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the launch of Aster Volunteers at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Aster DM Healthcare was listed in India in February 2018.

Child Healthcare Initiatives – From ensuring treatment to thousands of children suffering from life threatening diseases and whose parents don’t have the means to afford healthcare to awareness and development programmes, Dr. Azad has endeavoured to positively impact the lives of our future in every way possible.

Empowering the disabled community, creating a more inclusive society. Dr. Azad has been working on the integration and inclusion of persons with physical and intellectual disabilities in all aspects of life.