The dedicated 159-bed Aster Women & Children facility will feature specialised maternity care from the preconception stage to the birth of the baby. The facility also will offer a range of services such as water birthing, advanced laparoscopic gynaecology services, a child development centre, foetal medicine and surgery unit, a level 3A NICU, fertility centre, neonatal & pediatric surgical services and a pediatric intensive care unit as well as high dependency unit (HDU).

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder & Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, said, “As demand for high-quality maternal and pediatric care grows, it is essential to scale both capacity and capabilities. At Aster, we remain focused on expanding centres of excellence that deliver compassionate, world-class care. The expansion of our Women & Children facility at Whitefield reflects our commitment to advanced infrastructure and specialised expertise, ensuring comprehensive, end-to-end care for mothers and children under one roof, while setting new benchmarks in the region.”

Shri Dinesh Gundu Rao, Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, said, “The need for focused maternal and child healthcare facilities is growing rapidly in urban centres such as Bengaluru, where the demand for specialised and accessible healthcare continues to increase. Dedicated institutions like Aster Women and Children Hospital play an important role in strengthening healthcare delivery by bringing comprehensive obstetric and pediatric services under one roof. Such initiatives not only enhance access to quality care for mothers and children but also contribute significantly to improving maternal and child health outcomes. Strengthening specialised healthcare infrastructure through such efforts supports the broader goal of building a healthier and more resilient society”.

The expansion at Aster Whitefield, together with the upcoming 500-bed Yeshwantpur hospital and the 430-bed Sarjapur facility, builds on Aster’s commitment to advancing healthcare in Bengaluru. In addition to its current portfolio, this will increase Aster’s total capacity in Karnataka to 2,573 beds, significantly strengthening its regional footprint and elevating its standing among the top three private healthcare providers in the state.

The Centre of Excellence, located at Aster CMI Hospital Bengaluru, will integrate highly trained specialists, cutting-edge neurodiagnostic tools, and evidence-based clinical protocols to ensure faster evaluation and more effective treatment for patients. As of now, four of Aster’s Hospitals – Aster CMI, Aster RV, Aster Ramesh, Guntur and Aster MIMS Calicut are jointly involved in this state-of-the-art centre of excellence.

The initiative aims to address the rising need for focused epilepsy care, particularly for those who do not respond adequately to medications. Globally, nearly 30% of epilepsy patients live with drug-resistant epilepsy, where surgery and advanced interventions can significantly improve outcomes. In India, an estimated 10–12 million people live with epilepsy and up to 90% in rural areas remain untreated due to stigma and lack of access, highlighting the urgent need for dedicated Epilepsy centres that can offer early diagnosis and structured, life-changing treatment pathways.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ramesh Kumar S, Chief Operating Officer – Aster DM Healthcare India, said: “The establishment of Aster Global Institute for Advanced Epilepsy Care marks a significant step forward in our mission to strengthen specialised neurological care across India. At Aster, we are focused on building integrated, patient-centric systems that combine clinical expertise, advanced diagnostics, and innovation. This Centre not only enhances our ability to treat complex epilepsy cases but also reinforces our commitment to ensuring that every patient has access to timely, high-quality care, regardless of where they live.”

Speaking on this, Dr. Ravi Gopal Varma, Director – Aster Global Institute of Neurosciences & Lead Consultant – Neurosurgery, Aster CMI Hospital said: “Epilepsy surgery offers hope to patients who live with the daily uncertainty of seizures. At Aster, we are committed to providing comprehensive evaluation and advanced surgical care so patients can reclaim their lives with confidence and dignity. The launch of this dedicated centre reinforces our mission to make world-class epilepsy treatment accessible to all.”

Aster Hospitals has already established itself as a leading destination for epilepsy care, having performed 266 epilepsy-related surgical procedures, a milestone that showcases the hospital’s expertise in managing complex cases. These surgeries are supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, neurophysiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, anaesthetists, and rehabilitation experts.

The Centre of Excellence was inaugurated during EPISURG 2025, the annual international conference on epilepsy surgery organized by the Aster Global Centre for Excellence in Neurosciences, Bengaluru. The theme for the year, “Precision, Personalisation and Progress,” reflected the organisation’s commitment to advancing the science, technology, and multidisciplinary approaches reshaping epilepsy care worldwide. Over the three-day event, participants experienced a rich scientific program featuring distinguished neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, neurophysiologists, researchers, and allied health experts specialising in epilepsy management from India and abroad.

The newly launched initiatives aim to revolutionize cancer care by offering personalized, data-driven, and research-based treatments, emphasizing genomic approaches to improve patient outcomes. These programs represent a leap forward in ensuring accessible, cutting-edge cancer therapies while fostering collaborative research and streamlining patient data collection.

The Precision Oncology Clinics will focus on cancer care aligned with the genomic profile of the patient. Such treatment approaches are a departure from the commonly used treatment approaches in which cancer patients are treated uniformly based on the disease condition. Here the patient’s cancer therapy is customized,based upon the genomic mutations in the tumour usingprecise oncological approaches which in a way reduce the detrimental effects of treatment while enhancing efficiency.

The Aster Cancer Gridwill enable collaborative research, and multi-center clinical trials and standardize cancer care. In addition, it will aggregate data from all Aster Hospitals. The Aster Cancer Grid will actively seek partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and research institutions to advance cancer research and development. The network’scollaboration with international research centres will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices on a global scale and lead the way for joint funding applications, grant opportunities and funded research initiatives in cancer.

TheOnco Collect Software by Dr. Ramesh Nimmegadda Cancer Foundationwaslaunched at all Aster Hospitals in Bangalore andpromises to revolutionize oncology data management. It is a platform that standardizes practice management by placing all patient data in one location, creating a uniform databaseand providing outcome analysis thus ensuring evidence-based treatment by clinicians.

Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder & Chairman, Aster DM Healthcare, expressed, “By collaborating with world-renowned oncologists, researchers, research institutions, and leading pharma and biotech companies, we are accelerating the development and implementation of innovative therapies and interventions in cancer care. This collective effort aims to establish India as a global leader in cancer research and treatment through cutting-edge innovation and strategic partnerships. At the heart of this initiative is the Aster International Institute of Oncology, a state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary facility that meets international standards for cancer care. Aster has always been a first adopter of advanced technologies, consistently leading the way in integrating the latest medical advancements for the benefit of patients. The institute will play a pivotal role in operationalizing new technologies and methodologies, including the recently introduced Intra-Operative Electron Radiation Therapy at Aster Whitefield, Bangalore. Together, these advancements will offer comprehensive, world-class cancer care. Our vision is clear: to position India as a premier destination for effective and transformative cancer treatment.”

Dr. Somashekhar S. P, Global Director- Aster International Institute of Oncology, Chairman – Medical Advisor Board, Aster DM Healthcare, explained, “By integrating genetic profiling into cancer treatment, we are able to offer therapies that are both more effective and less toxic for patients. This is a crucial step forward in providing personalized care that truly addresses the unique nature of each patient’s cancer. The city and the country are in urgent need of this methodology. At the Aster International Institute of Oncology, we are able to treat the entire spectrum of cancer and offer a widerange of oncology-related services including radiation and electron therapy under the same roof. Also, robotic surgery at the Institute greatly intensifies accuracy and precision in cancer treatment. Aster offers a great opportunity for patients to seek advanced cancer treatment in the country itself”.

Dr. Zeba Moopen, Non-Executive Director, Aster DM Healthcare, commented, “The Aster Cancer Grid will optimize resource utilization, enhance patient recruitment for clinical trials, and promote seamless collaboration among oncologists across our network. With cancer cases rising at an alarming rate in India, the need for effective and timely interventions has never been more critical. This initiative will revolutionize cancer research and treatment by enabling data-driven insights, and using AI, we can analyse vast amounts of patient data to uncover patterns and predict outcomes more accurately. At Aster, we have always prioritized patient care, and through continuous innovation, we are leveraging AI and data collection to improve treatment precision, accelerate solutions, and ultimately deliver better outcomes, improving the quality of life for every patient we serve.”

Dr. C N Patil, HOD and Lead Consultant – Medical Oncology & Haemato-Oncology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, added,”Onco Collect is an advanced system that we will use to ensure precision treatment of patients by tracking their treatment outcomes in real time and modifying their treatment plans whenever necessary. India’s prowess is software and it is the ideal setting to drive health and cancer care in particular through software driven data analysis that would ensure greater automation and hence accuracy in understanding cancer dynamics. Software ensures reliability that may escape human intervention at times although a combination of both is the perfect strategy to guarantee against errors in treatment methodologies. The right balance will surely generate a successful outcome.”

The launches at the Aster Cancer Conclave 2024 mark a paradigm shift for cancer care in India. These initiatives—relating to precision medicine, collaborative research, and data-based treatment—have the potential to transform the oncology care landscape. With new patient-centred treatment models, increased cooperation on research and improved data reporting across the network, Aster aims to create new realities in which cancer treatment becomes not only more efficient, but also more available for the population of India.

Aster Whitefield will be Aster’s 3d multi-specialty hospital in Bengaluru and overall 19th hospital in India.The hospital was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Shri. Dinesh Gundu Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Healthand Family Welfare and Guest of Honour Shri U. T. Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly; Shri. Sharan prakash R Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education Government of Karnataka in the presence of Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare.

Other prominent dignitaries present on the occasion included:; Shri P. C. Mohan, Member of the LokSabha; Smt. Manjula Limbavali, Wife of Arvind Limbavali, Member of Legislative Assembly along with representatives from Aster DM Healthcare that is: Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster DM Healthcare India;Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman – Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare – GCC & India,Global Director – Aster International Institute of Oncology – GCC & India, Lead Consultant – Surgical &Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist; and Mr. Ramesh Kumar, aCEO, Aster Hospitals, Bengaluru cluster.

The Aster Whitefield Multispecialty Hospital will be India’s first centre to offer Intra Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) for precision treatment of Cancer. Other advanced technologies the hospital will offer include Hybrid Biplane Cath lab, 3D Mammogram, Digital PET CT, advanced LINAC,HIPEC/PIPEC Procedures, Full Room Digital Radiography and a Scalp Cooling System to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. The hospital will also feature the 4th generation Da Vinci Robot for advanced surgeries in Oncology and Urology along with a state-of-the-art OT complex with 16Operating Theatres equipped with high-end medical equipments.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Aster Whitefield Hospital, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “We are proud to announce our 3rd state-of-theart hospital in Bengaluru and 19th hospital in India. The new hospital is in line with the group’s missionand commitment to our India business and growth plans to deliver seamless care by making health care accessible and affordable for our patients in India. Aster Whitefield exemplifies our dedication to delivering exceptional healthcare services to the burgeoning population of Whitefield.

Our focus on specialties such as oncology, neurosciences and women & childcare reflects our dedication to addressing critical healthcare needs in the region. The 506-bed hospital will bring advanced medical at echnologies and expert care to the residents of Whitefield, addressing their diverse healthcare needs under one roof. With the Aster Whitefield launch, we reaffirm our commitment to India and will continue to deliver quality healthcare to our patients in India.”

Dr. Nitish Shetty, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aster DM Healthcare, India, added, “Aster Whitefield sets new benchmarks in healthcare excellence. We are dedicated to offering unparalleled services,integrating expertise with empathy, and ensuring our patients receive the best possible care. Driven by the increasing demand for high-tech healthcare services Aster Whitefield aims to provide world class medical care, making it the go-to destination for patients in need of specialized treatments. At Aster, we shall also work hard to stay ahead of the times to be among the firsts in the world to bring new, evidence-based, approved therapies and technology to our patients.”

Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman – Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare – GCC & India,Global Director – Aster International Institute of Oncology – GCC & India, Lead Consultant – Surgical& Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist said, “Today, as we unveil Aster Whitefield, we’re ushering in a new era of healthcare excellence. To provide the best of care for our Cancer patients, our multidisciplinary team at the Aster Institute of Oncology will integrate all clinical services including Surgical oncology, Medical oncology, Radiation oncology.

Nuclear medicine therapy and Palliative oncology as part of the Disease Management Group (DMG) providing comprehensive prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative end-of-lifecare services under one roof. With advanced medical technologies like Intra Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) and the 4th Generation Da Vinci Robot, we are well-equipped to deliver precise and effective treatments. Our aim is to provide high quality international standard treatment at affordable cost with compassion and humane touch and be a one-stop solution to both diagnostics and therapeutic treatment – all under one roof.”

Beyond medical excellence, Aster Whitefield also offers a range of facilities for patients and their families, ensuring their comfort and well-being. As a tertiary multi-specialty hospital, Aster White fieldwill provide a holistic healthcare experience to patients as well as their caregivers.