• As part of a wider initiative, GSK and Aster DM Healthcare will collaborate to promote healthy ageing in the UAE.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Global science-led healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Aster DM Healthcare signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today to promote healthy ageing and reduce the impact of diseases on people’s lives. The agreement is among several other strategic initiatives, led by GSK, which will be rolled out over the course of the next twelve months to promote a healthier life among UAE citizens and residents.

The collaboration with Aster DM Healthcare is in line with the UAE's aspirations to develop a world-class healthcare system and supports the national agenda by helping advance the health and wellbeing of people living in the Emirates[1][A2] .

During the ceremony, Gizem Akalin, PhD, Vice President for GSK Gulf said, “For decades, GSK has worked to improve the health of people around the world by accelerating research and development (R&D) in disease areas with the highest unmet needs combined with cutting edge scientific expertise, but most importantly by establishing strategic partnerships that bring positive impact to the people”.

“We are proud to mark the beginning of an important collaboration with our partner Aster DM Healthcare. Together we will identify unmet needs and jointly address healthcare challenges through education, prevention, and access to healthcare”, she added.

GSK and Aster DM Healthcare will address important public health topics, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the WHO categorised as one of the top ten threats to global public health. The partnership will bring initiatives that educate UAE patients and their families on the appropriate use and disposal of antibiotics.

Speaking on the partnership, Alisha Moopen, Deputy Managing Director at Aster DM Healthcare said, "We at Aster DM Healthcare are determined to enhance our strategies and reach in a way that provides the best possible healthcare solutions and access to our existing and prospective patients. We have been focused on encouraging preventive care, and together with GSK, we are on a mission to provide a sustainable approach to healthcare. A person’s successful healthcare journey, right from education to access to treatment, is of utmost importance to both Aster and GSK. With this partnership, we want to promote a ‘healthy today, healthier tomorrow’ motto for the future of the UAE.”

As part of the partnership’s scope, awareness initiatives and campaigns will be launched about the importance of vaccination and treatment adherence for acute and chronic conditions, such as asthma and other respiratory conditions.

Furthermore, to address challenges revolving around the access to quality medicines, GSK’s collaboration with Aster DM Healthcare will focus on innovative access initiatives as well as improvements in the supply chain.

Dr. Averyan Vasylyev, Medical Director, GSK Gulf, said: “As part of our unwavering commitment towards our patients, we are always looking to introduce initiatives that increase opportunities to prevent and treat diseases. By empowering people, we believe that we can create a sustainable health environment that helps us get ahead of disease, safeguarding the health of people in the UAE”.

The agreement builds on GSK's and Aster DM Healthcare’s long-standing commitments to deliver access to innovative care, medicines, and vaccines while supporting the UAE’s vision of health, prosperity, and sustainable development.  

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About GSK

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company on a mission to research, develop, manufacture and market innovative medicines and vaccines to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. GSK has a 300-year global legacy, and for more than 65 years has been operating, employing and investing in the Gulf Cooperation Council region. For more info, please visit Home | GSK.

About Aster DM Healthcare

Aster DM Healthcare Limited is one of the largest private healthcare service providers operating in GCC and in India. With an inherent emphasis on clinical excellence, we are one of the few entities in the world with a strong presence across primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary healthcare through our 30 hospitals, 121 clinics, 459* pharmacies, 19 labs and 140 patient experience centers in seven countries, including India. We have over 28,400 plus dedicated staff including 3,622 doctors and 8,095 nurses across the geographies that we are present in, delivering a simple yet strong promise to our different stakeholders: “We’ll treat you well.” We reach out to all economic segments in the GCC states through our differentiated healthcare services across the “Aster”, “Medcare” and “Access” brands.

*Including 214 Pharmacies in India operated by Alfaone Retail Pharmacies Private Limited under brand license from Aster. 

Media Enquiries:
Maria Khalil
Communications Manager, GSK Gulf
Maria.E.Khalil@gsk.com
Tala Al Otaibi
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
tala.alotaibi@hkstrategies.com

[1] https://www.vision2021.ae/en/national-agenda-2021/list/world-class-circle
 [A1]Aster logo to be added
 [A2]Please reference