Aster DM Healthcare has announced that it will provide financial support for 10 years to families of employees who succumbed fighting Covid-19. On Wednesday, the UAE healthcare group said five of its employees had been Covid-19 casualties till date.

Overall, 2,880 doctors, 6,280 nurses and 11,000 support staff from the healthcare group are working on the frontlines fighting the pandemic in seven countries. Since start of the pandemic, over 5,150 employees have been infected with the virus.

Dr Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director of Aster DM Healthcare, said, “Our dedicated staff have been the real heroes in this battle against Covid-19. They put the needs of the patients ahead of their own lives.” 

“While most of the infected staff are back to work to continue the battle, a few of them have succumbed to the virus. They have sadly left behind young families with wives, children and ageing parents. We thought that we should provide the families some support as many of those who died were the sole breadwinners for their families,” he added.

According to the new policy, families of Aster employees who lost their lives to Covid-19 will be supported financially. The employees’ dependents will continue to receive the monthly basic salary for the next 10 years. This will be applicable to all Aster DM Healthcare employees working in India and GCC. 

“These 'Asterians' are irreplaceable, and they will always remain close to our hearts. We would always remain grateful for their contribution to Aster and the society. This is the least we can do to support their families who have been dealt with the hardest blow of their lives. We truly hope that this provides them with some support and solace in these difficult times,” added Dr Moopen. 

Aster DM Healthcare has served 28,000 Covid-19 patients and screened more than 1.6 million people across seven countries in the Middle East and India.