Bengaluru is one of the high-growth healthcare markets: Dr Azad Moopen

Aster DM Healthcare recently announced two new hospitals – a 430-bed hospital in Sarjapur and a 500-bed hospital in Yeswanthpur, Bengaluru. It will also expand Aster CMI Hospital by 350 beds and 159 beds at Aster Whitefield.

Bengaluru: Bengaluru, stands out as one of the high-growth markets in India’s healthcare ecosystem, Dr Azad Moopen, Founder & Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, told DH.

The hospital chain recently announced two new hospitals – a 430-bed hospital in Sarjapur and a 500-bed hospital in Yeswanthpur, Bengaluru. It will also expand Aster CMI Hospital by 350 beds and 159 beds at Aster Whitefield.

“We are seeing a rise in demand driven by rapid urbanisation, expanding IT corridors, and heightened patient awareness of quality tertiary care,” Moopen elaborated. The merger of Aster DM Healthcare and Quality Care India Ltd, backed by Blackstone, has created one of the country’s top three hospital chains with 10,366 (Aster’s 5,197 & QCIL’s 5,169) beds. 

“Aster has laid out a well-defined and ambitious expansion strategy to capitalise on the fast-evolving Indian healthcare landscape. As part of this plan, the company intends to add over 2,600 beds across the country over the next few years. A total capital outlay of approximately Rs 2500 crore has been committed to this growth initiative, of which Rs 350-400 crore is already invested in critical projects as of Q1FY26,” the chairman informed.

Of the 2,600+ planned beds, over 490 will be added in FY26, 1,050+ in FY27, and the remaining 1080+ beyond FY27. “This expansion includes 1,439 beds in Bengaluru, 818 in Kerala, and additional capacity across other key regions,” he added.

KPMG and the Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI) recently in a report said that the country’s medical tourism market will surge from $18.2 billion in 2025 to $58.2 billion by 2035. When asked about it, Dr Moopen said that they are closely working with insurance companies across the geographies that operate in for MVT (medical value travel). That has also been yielding results in terms of revenue and patient volumes. “We have also identified CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) countries as a potential avenue for growth and will be working closely with embassies and governments to serve more international patients,” he added.

India is facing a serious shortage of family physicians, which is becoming increasingly urgent as the healthcare system shifts toward more community-based and preventive care, he said. A recent national survey highlighted the need to train around 15,000 new family doctors each year by 2030, especially to serve rural and underserved areas.

Talking about AI in healthcare, Dr Moopen said by utilising data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI), they are optimising hospital operations and personalising patient care across all its facilities.

“We have seen a noticeable improvement in diagnostic accuracy through AI tools, leading to better clinical outcomes. Telemedicine services have expanded access to remote areas, reducing consultation costs and bringing specialised care closer to underserved communities,” the founder & chairman of Aster DM Healthcare said.

On the digital front, it recently launched the ‘Aster Health’ App, which provides easy access to essential services, with plans to expand its scope in a phased manner to include pharmacy, labs, and home care.

“Our vision is to redefine healthcare delivery by combining advanced technologies with compassionate care,” he added.