Singapore has one of the most effective healthcare systems in the world in terms of financial efficiency and overall community well-being according to international consulting firm Towers Watson. The national system is set up to guarantee that everyone gets timely, affordable and seamless access to all levels of healthcare. 

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is committed to providing everyone with accessible, high-quality basic healthcare. Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS) is the HealthTech agency created to pursue an integrated approach in IT implementation of public healthcare systems. 

IHiS uses technology to serve the MoH’s goals and is currently focused on giving Singaporeans the knowledge and resources they need to better manage their health and be ready for the future. 

National healthcare requirements should be a top priority because, when combined with its low birth rates and increasing life expectancy, Singapore’s elderly population is expected to grow to 900,000 people by 2030. 

Against this backdrop, the responsibility of elder care will become a key issue. To mitigate down-line challenges, tech-enabled preventative and holistic care is advised at earlier life stages. Smart initiatives have been put in place to enhance healthcare. 

The transition from a paper-based to an electronic medical records system was just the beginning of healthcare’s modernisation process. Interventions that were previously impractical have been made possible by advancements in cloud computing, automation, wearable technology, mobility and network connectivity. 

The challenge for healthcare IT teams is to design a smooth user experience for hospital workers so that these vital care teams may concentrate on treating patients rather than fixing technology. 

Most experts concur that modern technology has increased healthcare expenditures. Consumer financial obstacles are removed by health insurance, which increases demand for technology and forces providers to offer a more expensive mix of services. 

The industry anticipates a variety of crucial digital health treatments with more sophisticated potential, including better chronic disease management, enhanced patient involvement in care, improved independent living outcomes for older persons and proactive population health monitoring. 

Security is still a key area of focus and high-impact threats are notoriously difficult to anticipate. Healthcare systems need to be especially concerned about cybersecurity.  

Cyberattacks may explicitly target highly sensitive and valuable personal health data. An interruption in care from malicious attacks may result in patient injury and unfavourable medical outcomes. 

What does technology hold for healthcare in the future? 

Transform patient care efficiently: Interoperability 

IT bandages are no longer sufficient to support healthcare. To continuously provide the services that are needed, constant digital transformation is required. The healthcare industry relies on the ability to exchange data and information between different systems and organisations.  

Scalable technology enables pay per use 

Budgets for healthcare IT nowadays are extremely limited. A significant advantage goes to service providers who offer the pay-as-you-go option. Providers can stretch their money and scale on demand by only paying for what they use. 

Virtualisation is essential for remote care 

The success of remote care during the pandemic was largely due to the development of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). By growing VDI or building a virtual environment from scratch, telehealth programmes are both possible and effective. Such infrastructure allows for a quick remote care service to be made available from healthcare organisations. 

Enable secure remote access and regulatory compliance 

To gather, report, and analyse data from any location, care teams need dependable and secure access to electronic patient records. In order to facilitate remote work during urgent situations, partner collaboration must be improved in terms of data sharing, networking, and cybersecurity. In addition, the healthcare sector is highly regulated, and senior-level strategic experts are in charge of making sure that the organisation complies with all applicable compliance regulations. 

OpenGov Asia is pleased to invite you to an exclusive OpenGov Event that aims to provide the latest information on the main factors that will recalibrate digital transformation strategies for healthcare advancement. This is a closed-door, invitation-only, interactive session with top healthcare technology leaders from Singapore.