Aster DM's Medcare to add 10 medical centres in Dubai, Sharjah

Dubai: The Aster DM Healthcare Group will have a further 10 ‘Medcare Medical Centres’ in Dubai and Sharjah within 2 years, with the UAE’s medical services sector all set to usher in a new round of investments and capacity.  

Under the Medcare brand, there are already five multi-speciality hospitals and the number of its medical centres will be 25 at the end of this year.

Last year, the investment firm Fajr Capital took a majority stake in Aster DM Healthcare. But a top official said the decision on new Medcare Medical Centres in Dubai and Sharjah preempts Fajr Capital’s entry.

“These projects were in the pipeline already, but we are right now planning to extend into the other GCC markets too,” said Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group CEO of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centers. (Getting into new GCC markets was part of the roadmap that Aster DM had drawn up for the deal with Fajr Capital.)

The additional medical centres – seen as an upgrade on the clinic concept -  will obviously lead to new hires. Currently, the Medcare Medcial Centers have a workforce of 700 and will rise to 850 once the new ones open.

The Medcare Group overall has a 2,824 strong workforce, which includes 531 doctors and 2,293 other ancillary service professionals.

“With an investment of Dh60 million, Medcare Medical Centres is set to have the largest network of clinics in the premium sector,” said Shanila. “The expansion is fueled by growth in annual footfall of 28%, which indicates a shift in preference for quality premium healthcare that is easily accessible.”

With universal medical insurance cover, the UAE healthcare sector needs more investments for an expanding population base. In Dubai and Sharjah, that means new facilities that can offer easy reach for newly emergent residential or mixed-use hubs.

“The resident mix of these cities too have changed as new, more affluent residents relocate to the UAE,” said a healthcare consultant. “It means space for more premium offerings.”

The new Medcare facilities will be Palm Jumeirah, Tilal Al Ghaf, Damac Hills and Al Furjan in Dubai, and Al Zahia in Sharjah.

“The introduction of the new medical centres in emerging family-centric neighbourhoods of Dubai and Sharjah, aligns with Medcare's aim to make premium healthcare services easily accessible for families," said Alisha Moopen, Managing Director and Group CEO of Aster DM Healthcare.