Zawya - Press Releases: Aster DM Healthcare announces pioneering projects that will redefine the future of healthcare for the people of the United Arab Emirates.
- The company revealed plans to launch the first private organ transplant center in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, an advanced robotic rehabilitation center in Dubai, the Thrive platform via the MyAster app, and an advanced system for health information systems, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Dubai, UAE - In line with Dubai’s economic agenda ( D33 ), Aster DM Healthcare has unveiled pioneering projects under development, with investments of AED 1 billion, aimed at providing world-class healthcare locally in the UAE, and redefining the future of healthcare for the country’s residents.
Aster DM Healthcare is one of the largest and fastest-growing integrated healthcare providers in the GCC. Its integrated model currently includes 15 hospitals, 126 clinics, and 338 pharmacies across the Middle East, serving all segments of society with a focus on delivering high-quality care. Powered by myAster , the region’s leading omnichannel healthcare app, the group is expanding its reach to 75 million people annually over the next five years, compared to 17.6 million currently. In addition to the UAE, the company is expanding its operations in Saudi Arabia with a committed investment of US$250 million in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and digital health.
Commenting on Aster’s ambitious plans, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder and Chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, said: “For nearly four decades, Aster has been guided by a single goal: to provide high-quality healthcare to every community we serve. Today’s announcement reflects our unwavering commitment to the UAE, a nation that has always championed innovation, excellence, and putting the patient at the heart of healthcare. Through these projects, we are building local capacity, bringing advanced treatments closer to patients, and contributing to the UAE’s long-term vision of becoming a global healthcare hub. We would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners, such as Fajr Capital and the group of investors who believed in our vision and supported us on our journey across the region.”
Speaking at World Health 2026, Ms. Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and CEO of Aster DM Healthcare, said: “The future of healthcare will be defined by advanced medical capabilities and smart digital integration, and the UAE is leading this transformation. Our AED 1 billion project is not just about adding beds or infrastructure; it aims to enable world-class care pathways locally, supported by technology, specialist expertise, and a seamless patient experience. The new hospitals, three new robotic surgery platforms being added to the existing network, a state-of-the-art robotic rehabilitation center with 18 highly specialized robots, and Sharjah’s first dedicated multi-organ transplant center are just a few examples of the projects that will help us stay ahead of the curve in meeting the ever-changing needs of patients and improving outcomes, as we continue to work with the government and partners to redefine industry standards.”
Major expansion in the UAE: Two new hospitals and expansion of Aster Al Qusais Hospital
Aster DM Healthcare has announced plans to open two new multi-specialty hospitals in Dubai, one in Studio City and the other in Discovery Gardens, adding more than 250 beds to the group’s existing capacity in the UAE, which stands at approximately 920 beds. These new facilities are expected to serve more than 560,000 additional patients annually and create more than 675 new jobs in the healthcare sector.
In addition, there are plans to expand Aster Hospital in Al Qusais with a new annex. This expansion will add 122 operational beds, further strengthening Aster's Center of Excellence in Oncology and other high-demand specialties. The project is expected to cost AED 300 million, with the expanded facility becoming operational by the end of 2028.
Medcare Organ Transplant Center - The first private organ transplant center in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates
The company has received approval to establish its first multi-organ transplant center in the UAE. The center, to be operated by Medcare Hospital in Sharjah, will bring together a select group of international experts, multidisciplinary medical teams, and world-class infrastructure to provide advanced organ transplant care, marking a significant step towards enhancing the UAE's capacity to provide specialized and complex treatment locally.
Advanced Robotic Rehabilitation Center in Dubai
Following the success of its advanced robotic rehabilitation center in Muscat, Aster is launching this center in the UAE. With its established international expertise in helping people with severe neurological and motor disorders regain their mobility, the center will feature 18 robotic devices, including FDA-approved technologies such as robotic exoskeletons, brain-computer interfaces, neuromodulation therapies, and advanced solutions for gait and upper limb rehabilitation. The center will support neuroplasticity-based recovery for neurological, spinal, stroke-related, and mobility-affecting conditions. Patients in the UAE will be able to easily access advanced treatment locally without having to travel abroad.
The center will also house a state-of-the-art pediatric neurorehabilitation center , the first of its kind, dedicated to supporting children with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Based on internationally proven rehabilitation models, the center will offer a future-proof system combining AI-powered cognitive mapping, interactive virtual reality learning, digital brain training platforms, FDA-approved neuromodulation techniques, and structured developmental therapies.
Advanced treatment, robotic surgery, and medical excellence
Medcare Hospital became the first hospital in the world to treat an international patient using Itvisma , a revolutionary gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. The group also announced an enhancement of its robotic surgery capabilities. While robotic surgery platforms like da Vinci have already been deployed across the network, the company is now offering the latest model to enable minimally invasive and precise surgical procedures.
Aster's centers of excellence in specialties such as cardiology, gastroenterology, urology, orthopedics and spine surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and neonatal intensive care continue to be recognized for their outstanding clinical outcomes, world-class facilities, and advanced medical innovations, delivered by leading physicians known for setting new standards in patient care.
Thrive app from myAster - Advanced analysis of 100 vital signs for preventative health
The MyAster app offers a comprehensive preventative health assessment, supported by a 100-signal test, designed to elevate healthcare from routine checkups to a proactive and personalized approach to wellness. By analyzing biomarkers in blood health, heart function, metabolism, hormones, inflammation, and nutrition as a holistic system, the Thrive app helps identify early indicators and potential imbalances before symptoms appear. Results are reviewed by qualified physicians and delivered via the MyAster digital platform, empowering individuals to better understand their health and take informed preventative measures for long-term wellness.
Artificial intelligence, technology, and digital transformation
Aster prioritizes advanced AI-powered diagnostics to equip its physicians and medical staff with the best tools to deliver superior patient care. Medcare's CardoExplorer and AirDoc devices are two examples of advanced diagnostics implemented to help patients detect disease biomarkers early and take appropriate preventative measures. Similarly, the company is exploring the implementation of a unified health information system to provide a seamless patient experience across all its facilities in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.
Highlights of our participation in the World Health Exhibition 2026
This year, at World Health 2026, Aster Pharmacies showcased 38 brands from 15 countries, alongside key business units including Medcare, Aster Hospitals & Clinics, Aster Optics, and the MyAster app. A highlight of Aster Pharmacies' participation was the launch of seven new brands in the UAE. Among these was NDL , a leading sports nutrition brand backed by Rafael Nadal, marking the brand's first expansion from Spain into the UAE market. This follows the opening of Aster's new wellness destination at The Pointe in Marina, where visitors can shop, consult, and try their health products before purchasing. These achievements reflect Aster's ongoing commitment to bringing the latest global innovations in health, wellness, and lifestyle to the UAE, empowering consumers with choice and promoting healthy living.
Through continuous expansion, digital integration, and a strong focus on wellness and preventative care, Aster DM Healthcare continues to build a cutting-edge, future-proof healthcare ecosystem for the GCC. Aster DM Healthcare is the second-largest healthcare provider in the UAE, according to the Healthcare Business International ( HBI ), while in India, following its merger with the Blackstone-led Qualitycare Group, Aster DM Healthcare has emerged as the third-largest healthcare provider in India.
About Aster DM Healthcare – Free Zone LLC.
Founded in 1987 by Dr. Azad Moopen, Aster DM Healthcare is a leading provider of integrated healthcare services with a strong presence in six countries across the region. Aster is committed to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare, from primary to quaternary care, with the promise, "We'll take good care of you." Through a robust integrated healthcare model encompassing 15 hospitals, 126 clinics, and 338 pharmacies in the GCC, Aster serves all segments of society through its three distinct brands: Aster, Medcare , and Access . The business continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of patients and deliver high-quality healthcare through traditional and digital channels, including the launch of the region's first hyper-app in the healthcare sector, myAster .
Source: Aetos Wire
For more information about us, please contact:
Rajitha Nair/Wissam Khalid
Watermelon Communications
Dubai, UAE
rajitha@watermelonme.com / wissam@watermelonme.com
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