Latest news with #AsterHospitalsandClinics
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Smarter health, shared vision: Inside Dubai's AI Healthcare boom
Smarter health, shared vision: Inside Dubai's AI Healthcare boom In Dubai, healthcare no longer begins with a doctor's appointment. Increasingly, it starts with a message - on WhatsApp, no less. As artificial intelligence (AI) moves from hospitals to homes, the city is rapidly emerging as a testing ground for preventive care powered by cross-border collaboration. From legacy providers to health tech startups, several players are finding common ground with Dubai's digital ambitions. Earlier this month, Aster Clinics introduced Smyl AI, the UAE's first AI-powered dental screening tool. The Dubai-based healthcare giant's idea was simple - a user sends a photo of their teeth through WhatsApp and receives a dental health assessment in under two minutes According to Dr. Sherbaz Bichu, CEO of Aster Hospitals and Clinics – UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, 'Smyl AI directly supports Dubai's ambition by introducing an accessible, preventive health tool that moves care out of clinics and into people's hands—literally. He explained that Dubai's healthcare vision aligns with such tools, especially those that remove friction from routine care. Smyl AI uses everyday platforms and offers zero-cost screening, removing common deterrents to preventive dental visits. Dr Bichu also highlighted the supportive role of local infrastructure and regulation, 'Dubai's healthcare regulators are proactive in facilitating safe innovation. With Smyl AI, for example, we integrated seamlessly with secure, encrypted communication platforms like WhatsApp— which we deliberately chose to reduce barriers and reach Dubai's diverse population — all while ensuring compliance with UAE health data privacy laws. ' This forward-looking approach underscores Dubai's commitment to innovation-led healthcare and its openness to scaling private solutions responsibly. While Aster focuses on preventive dental care, Dubai-based Prognica Labs is advancing AI-driven diagnostics in critical areas like oncology. Prognica has deployed AI-driven diagnostic tools across several clinics in the emirate. The company's breast cancer screening model is being used to assist radiologists in detecting anomalies more efficiently. Dr Bichu added that the Dubai State of AI Report 2025 emphasises the integration of AI across various sectors, highlighting its importance in the transformation narrative of the city. In Dubai, healthcare no longer begins with a doctor's appointment. Increasingly, it starts with a message - on WhatsApp, no less. As artificial intelligence (AI) moves from hospitals to homes, the city is rapidly emerging as a testing ground for preventive care powered by cross-border collaboration. From legacy providers to health tech startups, several players are finding common ground with Dubai's digital ambitions. Earlier this month, Aster Clinics introduced Smyl AI, the UAE's first AI-powered dental screening tool. The Dubai-based healthcare giant's idea was simple - a user sends a photo of their teeth through WhatsApp and receives a dental health assessment in under two minutes. According to Dr Sherbaz Bichu, CEO of Aster Hospitals and Clinics – UAE, Oman, and Bahrain, 'Smyl AI directly supports Dubai's ambition by introducing an accessible, preventive health tool that moves care out of clinics and into people's hands—literally.' He explained that Dubai's healthcare vision aligns with such tools, especially those that remove friction from routine care. Smyl AI uses everyday platforms and offers zero-cost screening, removing common deterrents to preventive dental visits. Dr Bichu also highlighted the supportive role of local infrastructure and regulation, 'Dubai's healthcare regulators are proactive in facilitating safe innovation. With Smyl AI, for example, we integrated seamlessly with secure, encrypted communication platforms like WhatsApp— which we deliberately chose to reduce barriers and reach Dubai's diverse population — all while ensuring compliance with UAE health data privacy laws. ' This forward-looking approach underscores Dubai's commitment to innovation-led healthcare and its openness to scaling private solutions responsibly. While Aster focuses on preventive dental care, Dubai-based Prognica Labs is advancing AI-driven diagnostics in critical areas like oncology. Prognica has deployed AI-driven diagnostic tools across several clinics in the emirate. The company's breast cancer screening model is being used to assist radiologists in detecting anomalies more efficiently. Dr Bichu added that the Dubai State of AI Report 2025 emphasises the integration of AI across various sectors, highlighting its importance in the transformation narrative of the city. Click this link for more on Business in Dubai. Disclaimer - This article is a part of a featured content series on Business in Dubai. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Campaign ME
09-04-2025
- Health
- Campaign ME
Doping tests ‘accidentally' save lives: Aster, TCS turn checks into cancer screenings
Aster Hospitals and Clinics in partnership with the Testicular Cancer Society and FP7 McCann has launched a campaign aimed at rewriting the playbook on men's health with the Amateur Anti-Doping Test, an initiative that transforms routine checks — previously only accessible to professional athletes — into life-saving cancer screenings. The campaign was brought to life in partnership with creative agencies FP7 McCann Dubai and McCann WordGroup, in collaboration with McCann Health Dubai, Craft and Markettiers. It is running across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and other social platforms — but more importantly, it's being carried by culture. The Amateur Anti-Doping Test kits themselves have become media, received through direct mail and sparking conversations in places that have historically avoided them. In an exclusive conversation with Campaign Middle East, Federico Fanti, Regional Chief Creative Officer at FP7 McCann, said, 'Thanks to our partnership with Aster Hospitals & Clinics, the campaign also lives physically within their clinics across the UAE — bringing the message into real-world spaces where real action can happen. This is not just media distribution. It's presence, relevance, and reach, embedded directly into amateur athletes' everyday lives.' The campaign is part of Aster's ongoing objective to shift the conversation from illness-driven care to preventative care. Encouraging early detection is a core component that can go a long way in empowering amateur athletes and men in general to take proactive measures. 'Testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers detected in men and also curable if detected early, however more awareness is needed for people to be self-aware and take appropriate measures as needed,' Fanti explained. The Amateur Anti-Doping Test kit The kit includes: A step-by-step manual on how to perform a testicular self-examination A certified blood test tube that may help in detecting in cancer markers The kit acts as a dual-purpose tool that potentially detects testicular cancer and is designed to complement self-examination. The process is simple: Registration: Amateur sports group representatives sign up on to have their athletes participate in the Amateur Anti-Doping programme. The kits are funded voluntarily by the amateur athletes themselves through their league registration fees. Distribution: Upon approval, amateur sports group representatives receive the kits and distribute them to the athletes who have volunteered to participate in the program. Sample collection: Participating athletes can take the sample kit to any Aster Hospitals & Clinics location, and provide their blood sample for analysis. While awaiting results: Amateur athletes should use this time to review and master the testicular self-exam guide included with their kit. Follow-up care: If blood test results are positive for testicular cancer markers, or if anything unusual is noticed during self-examinations, athletes are encouraged to immediately consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation and guidance. Ongoing prevention: Stay proactive – making monthly testicular self-exams a regular habit can detect problems early and potentially save lives, regardless of blood test results. The Amateur Anti-Doping Test Kit is not a replacement for regular self-examinations, but acts as an additional layer of awareness and detection. Ideation and rollout of the Amateur Anti-Doping Test Kit campaign FP7 McCann originated the idea and built the campaign from scratch. The creative agency developed the insight, the content and the physical test kit itself — except for the blood test tubes inside, which are provided courtesy of Aster Hospitals and Clinics — end to end, with next to no budget. Fanti said, 'This work is the result of a strong creative partnership with the Testicular Cancer Society, whose amazing founder, Mike Craycraft, survived testicular cancer himself. After the success of last year's Highlight Your Balls sports-related campaign, we wanted to go even deeper. We knew we had to embed the message to check even more seamlessly into men's lives. The result is the Amateur Anti-Doping Test — a behaviour-first idea that makes cancer checks feel like an aspirational part of the game, not a medical intrusion.' He added, 'We're incredibly proud to partner with Aster Hospitals & Clinics, whose medical support, belief in the idea, and commitment to accessible care made this project not only possible, but incredibly powerful. This is creativity with a purpose — and a platform.' Measuring the success of the campaign Creative agency FP7 McCann is tracking engagement, participation, and behaviour. It is measuring how many athletes register, how many visit clinics, and — crucially — how many begin incorporating self-exams into their routines. In a statement shared with Campaign Middle East, the Aster Hospitals and Clinics team stated that what they aimed to achieve was a cultural shift: when men start talking about their health the same way they talk about sport. They added that the ultimate success of the campaign was meant to be human, not just numerical. If even one amateur athlete detects testicular cancer early because of this kit — or even by hearing about it — then the campaign has achieved its most important goal, the Aster team indicated in its statement, concluding, 'that's the kind of impact you can't measure in impressions, but it's the one that truly matters: saving lives.' CREDITS: Client: Testicular Cancer Society Founder Mike Craycraft Testicular Cancer Society Client: Aster Hospitals and Clinics Dr. Sherbaz Bichu CEO, Aster Hospitals & Clinics, UAE, Oman & Bahrain Rahul Kadavakolu Group Chief Marketing Officer Deepesh KV Head of Marketing, Aster Hospitals & Clinics Kanwaljeet Thakur Deputy Manager, Marketing, Aster Hospital Lavanya Mandal Head of PR and Internal Communications Udhayan S Nair Manager, PR Dr. Ramanathan V Group Medical Director Aster Hospitals and Clinics UAE Dr. Aby Madan Consultant Urologist, Aster Hospital Mankhool Dr. Shaji Hydrose Associate Medical Director, Aster & Access Clinics, UAE Dr. Sam Thampan Specialist Urologist, Aster Hospital Qusais Creative Agency: FP7McCann Dubai Regional Chief Creative Officer Federico Fanti Executive Creative Director Nayaab Rais Senior Creative Director & Head of Art Paulo Engler Creative Director Jonathan Cruz Creative Director Ivan Bormaister Associate Creative Director Art Bruno Montouro Associate Creative Director Copy Liam Galt Associate Creative Director Copy Rob Hall Senior Copywriter Diego Fernandez-Cid Senior Art Director Roy Sebastian PR Manager Roksar Kamal Creative Excellence: Global CCO Javier Campopiano McCann Worldgroup Global ECD & CCO Europe, Adrian Botan McCann Worldgroup Global Product Excellence Director Carmen Bistrian McCann Worldgroup Creative Excellence Senior Manager Lara De Souza MCN Production: Motion Designer Kaue Akimoto FP7 McCann Dubai Video Editor Murilo DePaula FP7 McCann Dubai Motion Designer Aashim Kadayikkal FP7 McCann Dubai Videographer Marcos Cardoso Craft Retoucher Amit Borawake FP7 McCann Dubai PR Chief Communications Officer – Lizzie Dewhurst – MCN Client Director – Charlotte Joseph – Markettiers Client Service Managing Director Tarek Ali Ahmad FP7 McCann Dubai Senior Account Manager Ingrid Bechara FP7 McCann Dubai Regional Managing Director Karen Kamel McCannHealth Dubai General Manager Nael Basily McCannHealth Dubai Company Credits Entrant FP7 McCann Dubai PR Marketiers
