Aster celebrates its 15th year in Qatar with an eye to expansion

Aster DM Healthcare, which started its operations in Qatar 15 years ago, plans to expand operations in the country, an official of the group revealed yesterday.“We are planning to add more specialty services and second tier tertiary services to our hospital, in addition to setting up a few more medical centres in the next couple of years,” said Aster DMH Qatar chief executive Dr Sameer Moopen.The objective is to provide the best and affordable medical care for the whole population of the country, he explained.Aster DMH Qatar currently operates a full-fledged 50-bed hospital, six medical centres, seven pharmacies, and one diagnostic centre.At a press conference to mark Aster DM Healthcare’s 15th anniversary in Qatar, the chief executive said: “We started our first medical centre in March 2003 with five doctors and 12 other staff members.“At present, we have more than 100 doctors and more than 700 other staff. We are also engaged in several community events offering free medical services to the needy people in the country.” Medical director and Aster DM Healthcare chief of medical staff Dr Nasser Moopen, and Aster Hospital Doha chief operating officer Dr Kapil Chib also addressed the media.“We treat between 2,000 and 2,200 patients a day at all our facilities. We have also introduced a mobile app for appointment,” Dr Sameer Moopen said. “In less than a minute, people can get appointment with the doctor of their preference at any of the medical centres. We are also accredited with the Qatar Council of Healthcare Professionals to provide medical education for the medical and paramedical staff.”According to the chief executive, Aster DMH Qatar is the only private healthcare organisation in the country to operate a blood bank in co-ordination with Hamad Medical Corporation.“Every Friday, we arrange free medical check-up at the Industrial Area for the low-income group of people. These medical camps have become a permanent feature of the organisation,” he said. “We are also collaborating with Qatar Charity and Baladiya to provide medical services for people at various sections of people.”“All our employees have to put in a minimum of 10 hours of community work monthly,” Dr Sameer Moopen noted. “This occasion serves as a unique opportunity to acknowledge the contribution by people who made us to reach this stage.”“We are grateful to the rulers of the country who have been extending all the support and guidelines,” he added. “We are committed to take quality healthcare delivery to the next level meeting the vision of our founder chairman Dr Azad Moopen.”Aster DM Healthcare is a 30-year-old private healthcare group in the GCC and India.Aster began operations in Musherib, Doha on March 10, 2003 with the first private polyclinic.The recently started hospital is Aster’s first multi-specialty hospital in Qatar with operation theatres, ICU, delivery suit, NICU and MRI with 16 specialty services.