Aster Volunteers, the global corporate social responsibility arm of Aster DM Healthcare, has expanded its community outreach footprint with the launch of two state-of-the-art Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, and Anekal in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The additions mark the 70th and 71st units in the global fleet of Aster Volunteers Mobile Medical Services and the 48th and 49th units deployed in India.
In Tirupati, the mobile medical unit was launched in collaboration with Aster Narayanadri Hospital and flagged off by Shri D.S. Venkateswar, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate of Tirupati District, in the presence of district officials and healthcare leaders. In Anekal, the unit was introduced in partnership with the Centre for Integral Rural Welfare (CIRW), Jnana Jyothi. The launch ceremony was attended by Rev. Fr. Dionysius Vaz, SJ, Provincial of the Karnataka Jesuit Province; Rev. Fr. Arvin Luis, SJ, PDD, Karnataka Jesuit Province; and Rev. Fr. Shantaraj Thomas, SJ, Superior of Jnanajyothi.
The Aster DM Healthcare leadership team present included Vinod Chandrwal, Head of ESG – CSR and Sustainability; Hari Prasad VK, Head of Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance; and Kuldeep Pathak, Deputy General Manager – Human Resources.
The expansion is aimed at strengthening last-mile healthcare access in underserved communities through preventive screening, early diagnosis, and timely medical intervention delivered directly within local populations. The mobile units are positioned as scalable outreach platforms built on local partnerships and digital integration to address healthcare inequities linked to geography and income barriers.
Both MMUs are fitted with medical-grade interiors and feature clearly demarcated zones for registration, consultation, examination, and pharmacy services. The vehicles are designed to ensure safe and efficient care delivery, incorporating proper ventilation and air conditioning, ramps for elderly and differently-abled patients, reliable power backup, clean water and handwashing facilities, and compliant medical waste disposal systems.
Core safety measures include fire protection systems, emergency medical kits, and GPS-enabled communication for operational readiness.
The units are equipped with basic diagnostic and digital point-of-care devices and will provide free primary consultations, screening for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), maternal and child health services, health education, and referrals for advanced care when required. Operations are supported by integrated digital systems, including electronic medical records (EMR), tablet-based patient registration linked to secure remote servers, structured follow-up tools, and impact reporting dashboards to ensure continuity of care and measurable community outcomes.
The initiative aligns with Aster’s broader strategy of expanding its healthcare network into emerging towns and underserved areas through Aster Volunteers and its medical services platform.
By delivering timely, preventive, and need-based healthcare directly within communities, the organisation aims to bridge persistent access gaps and reinforce its long-term commitment to equitable and inclusive healthcare delivery.
