His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Head of the Executive Council of Dubai, has affirmed that the private sector is a key partner in building and developing a high-efficiency and reliable healthcare system. This collaboration between the private and public sectors plays a vital role in providing distinguished services that meet the community’s needs for medicines and medical supplies.
Inspection of Astra Distribution Centre
This affirmation came during His Highness’s recent visit to the distribution centre of Astra Pharmacies in Dubai. His visit underscores his commitment to overseeing the progress and efficiency of various vital sectors in the emirate, ensuring they align with Dubai’s ethos of achieving the highest standards of service excellence and supporting the overall strategic goals, which include providing guarantees for optimal health levels for all community members.
Support for the Business Sector
In a post on the social media platform X, His Highness noted, “As part of my ongoing oversight of the growth of the business sector in Dubai, I visited the Astra distribution centre in Dubai Industrial City today, where I learned about their advanced system that enhances the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of drug storage and distribution.”
Operational Insights and Impressive Metrics
His Highness highlighted that the centre supports approximately 75,000 transactions daily and services a network consisting of 485 pharmacies and healthcare facilities. He described the private sector as a primary partner in Dubai’s development journey. “In Dubai, we measure the standards of excellence and innovation by their ability to save time, improve service quality, and make a positive impact on people’s lives,” he stated.
Advanced Infrastructure and Innovation
During his visit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the operational mechanisms of the distribution centre, which spans around 145,000 square feet. It is considered one of the largest facilities of its kind in the region. He received insights from Dr. Azad Moopen, the founder and Chairman of Astra DM Healthcare Group, and Alicia Moopen, the group’s Managing Director and CEO, regarding the supportive operations that cater to the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, affirming its role as a key player in the region’s healthcare and pharmaceutical services.
Future Aspirations
Impressed by the innovative operational methodologies that enhance service efficiency and drug distribution speed and accuracy, His Highness expressed his hopes for the group’s continued growth and expansion through the adoption of innovative solutions that elevate performance levels. He believes this will further enhance the healthcare system’s excellence in the UAE.
Accompanying Delegates
Accompanying His Highness during the visit were Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications; Hala Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; and Malek Al Malek, Chairman of the Tecom Group.
It is noteworthy that Astra’s distribution centre in Dubai manages around 75,000 transactions daily, servicing a network that includes 350 pharmacies, 120 medical clinics, and 15 hospitals, along with an automated distribution centre. This advanced model significantly boosts the efficiency of drug storage and distribution across its network in the UAE.