DUBAI- February 20, 2014: Dr. Azad Moopen, Chairman & Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, the leading healthcare conglomerate in the Middle East and India, has been honored with a special Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) award at the Indian CEO Awards 2014 organized by ITP, the leading publishing and corporate events group in Dubai.

The Indian CEO Awards 2014 recognises business and social responsibility efforts of outstanding Indian entrepreneurs based in the MENA region.

The coveted award has been conferred upon Dr. Moopen in recognition of his active involvement in numerous philanthropic activities across the Gulf countries, the Indian subcontinent, the Philippines, Afghanistan and the African continent. He drives his charitable and CSR activities through Dr. Moopen's Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of Aster DM Healthcare. Karam Awad, Managing Director of ITP Executive, presented the special CSR to Dr. Moopen at the ceremony.

Focusing on healthcare charities, education and social philanthropy, Dr. Moopen's Foundation has undertaken various community good health programmes. The Foundation supports the society by hosting several health awareness campaigns and philanthropic activities in line with the 'Healing Touch' initiative, routed through the 'Care Beyond Boundaries' programme.

Dr. Moopen's Foundation rolled out several CSR programmes including Free and Subsidized surgical care like Adult & Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Programmes; establishment of a network of standalone Community Dialysis Centres; Early Detection and Cancer Screening Centres; Standalone Radiation Oncology Centres; Mobile Clinics; Subsidies for Advanced Surgical Treatments for Underprivileged People; Village Adoptions & Local Empowerment Programme for Women & Children, etc. The Foundation has also ventured into creating a network of health clinics in India under the banner of 'Healing Touch' program, identifying the acute shortage of facilities in backward regions.

With commitments to support the society through its "Giving Back Initiative (GBI)" initiative, The Foundation regularly runs medical camps, health and safety awareness programmes. A touring clinic titled "Dr Aster Mobile", under the Foundation, is spreading awareness on health and safety issues among the public in Dubai, in addition to providing free primary medical care, wherever required.

Dr. Moopen was ranked among the top 10 in the recent Arabian Business - GCC Indian Rich List for 2014, with an estimated wealth of 1,130 million US Dollars. He was positioned at 9th among the richest Indians in the GCC, and 3rd among the Keralite entrepreneurs in the region.

Dr. Moopen owns around 57 per cent of stake in the healthcare business in the Middle East and India. The enterprise valuation of his business at the current stage is expected to be in the range of 1.6 to 1.8 billion US Dollars.

He also owns around 90 per cent stake in the educational institutions under his leadership in India. The enterprise valuation of this segment at the current stage is expected to be in the range of 190 to 210 million US Dollars. Dr. Moopen's personal immovable assets and other investments are likely to have a valuation of around 50 million US Dollars.

Dr. Moopen has built the largest network of healthcare facilities with over 175 establishments under Aster DM Healthcare providing a wide spectrum of healthcare services, from primary to quaternary care, through its neighbourhood facilities across Middle East and India. The healthcare major touches the lives of over 8 million patients a year, providing care of the highest international quality standards in the geographies it operates in.

The Aster DM Healthcare network consists of Hospitals, Medical Centres, Diagnostic & Speciality Centres, Pharmacies, Medical College, Healthcare Consultancy and a CSR Activities arm - consolidated under the brands ASTER, MEDCARE, ACCESS, MIMS, ASTER-MEDCITY and DM-WIMS.

About Dr. Azad Moopen
Dr. Azad Moopen is Chairman & Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, the leading healthcare provider network in Middle East and India. The doctor-turned-entrepreneur and devoted philanthropist, well balances his profession and commitment on giving back to the society. Being one of the top ranking-business icons in the Middle East and India, Dr. Moopen is a living example of incorporating the humanitarian element in his business model by undertaking several social and philanthropic initiatives across boundaries.

A compassionate humanitarian, Dr. Moopen's entrepreneurial achievements have been catalytic to his philanthropic ventures. Deeply concerned with humanitarian causes, Dr. Moopen has actively invested in causes that have gone a long way in touching the lives of people. He earmarked 20 per cent of his personal wealth and valuable time for philanthropic activities aimed at fuelling the social changes and uplifting the society.

Dr. Moopen started his career as a Medical Lecturer three decades back in 1982, at the Government Medical College in Calicut, India, before relocating to Dubai (in 1987), where he went on to establish a successful medical practice. This humble start paved the beginning of a healthcare network that is now more than 175 units strong offering a diverse and comprehensive set of healthcare services. 

About Aster DM Healthcare
Aster DM Healthcare, founded in 1987 by Dr. Azad Moopen- a doctor turned entrepreneur- is today one of the largest of its kind private sector healthcare provider in the Middle East and India. The Dubai-headquartered healthcare conglomerate operates a network of more than 175 network entities covering an array of healthcare verticals -- from hospitals, medical centers, pharmacies, diagnostics and specialty centers, healthcare consultancy service, academics & research to a medical college and an advanced medical city.

Having operations in 5 GCC countries and several locations across India, Aster DM Healthcare has its footprint across boundaries of regions and nations, offering a diverse and comprehensive set of healthcare services. Consolidated under the brands ACCESS, ASTER, MEDCARE, DM WIMS, ASTER MedCity and MIMS Hospital, the multitude of health facilities including 11 hospitals offers primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary care.

The healthcare provider touches the lives of around 8 million patients a year in the geographies it operates in, ensuring the highest quality care to the patients. Aster DM Healthcare is now preparing to position itself as a global integrated healthcare provider with a strong presence across the world.

© Press Release 2014