Aster group announces Rs25M aid to Kerala

dubai — In an effort to support the Indian state of Kerala in managing the Covid-19 pandemic, UAE-based Aster DM Healthcare has announced a donation of Rs25 million to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Dr Azad Moopen, founder chairman and managing director of Aster DM Healthcare, said the donation, which will behanded over to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is among many proactive measures taken by the group in the eight countries where it has operations.

“The group has already started telehealth centres for providing out-patient consultation for patients in panic or people seeking medical consultation on Covid-19. This can be accessed through the website and call centres of all Aster units in India and GCC,” he said.

Aster hospitals in Kerala’s Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kottakal and Wayanad shall dedicate 750 beds for accepting patients referred by the government authorities for expert management.

Dr Moopen said: “Aster shall explore with the government to organise cluster of isolation/observation rooms for suspected and positive Covid-19 cases around the Aster hospitals in Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur by seeking the cooperation of hotel and apartment owners. The doctors and nurses of Aster shall provide medical support in these facilities.

“Aster MIMS, Kozhikode, is one of the two labs in the private sector recognised in Kerala to perform the Covid PCR test. This shall be made available to public as directed by the government. We are also seeking permission to perform the Covid Rapid Test in all the five Aster hospitals in Kerala to help the people who are worried and want to get tested. This would increase the number of people being tested for identification, quarantine and treatment,” he added.

These efforts are in addition to the other measures that Aster DM Healthcare has announced in all the markets where the group has operations.