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New Zealand has been recognised internationally throughout the pandemic for efforts in fighting COVID19, and in particular, it has been recognised for its’ impressive leadership from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
The PM has notably put the health and safety of New Zealand citizens first and foremost. She has communicated transparently and effectively with the people and has built trust and gained their confidence through her actions.
Jacinda Ardern’s leadership style, focused on empathy, isn’t just resonating with her people; it has put the country on track for success against the coronavirus.
The country has a population of around 5 million people, yet New Zealand only recorded 1,219 infections and 22 deaths so far during the pandemic. These are dramatically lower than many other countries that are still grappling with thousands of deaths.
Being Proactive – Taking Precautionary Measures Early in a Pandemic
New Zealand government also took decisive action right away, planning for a possible outbreak began intensively on January 24, 2 days after the WHO reported evidence of human-to-human transmission in Wuhan.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Health established an incident management team and advised the public that while the risk to New Zealand was assessed as low, the Ministry was taking the outbreak very seriously.
New Zealand imposed a national lockdown much earlier in its outbreak than other countries did in theirs, and banned travellers from China in early February, before New Zealand had registered a single case of the virus. It closed its borders to all non-residents in mid-March, when it had only a handful of cases.
Swift Lockdown Action after 102 days without local infection
Just yesterday New Zealand put its largest city back into lockdown after recording four new Covid-19 cases, ending a 102-day streak without a local infection.
A three-day lockdown was swiftly imposed in Auckland after the cases were confirmed. The four new cases are all members of a single family. None had travelled recently.
The restrictions will came into effect on Wednesday, as authorities track and trace contacts of the family. Auckland residents will be asked to stay at home, large gatherings will be banned, non-essential businesses will be shut, and some social-distancing restrictions will be reintroduced in the rest of the country.
The importance of open communication between government and citizen in crisis management
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s response to the pandemic back on March 21 was bold and garnered public support.
That day, Ardern delivered a televised statement to the nation announcing a four-level Covid-19 alert system.
Modelled on fire risk systems already in use in New Zealand, this familiar approach set clear guidelines for how the government would step up its response — and what would be asked of citizens as infection rates grew.
Prime Minister Ardern’s communication has been clear, honest, and compassionate. It has acknowledged the daily sacrifices to come and inspired people to forge ahead bringing them together.
She has spent a lot of time reassuring people during the lockdown with daily briefings and a message that resonates: “Go hard and go early.”
Pandemic demands transformative, collective action from Government and its people
Prime Minister Ardern has established a shared sense of purpose amongst the government and citizens.
Key leadership practices which are leading to New Zealand’s success is the government’s willingness to let themselves be led by expertise, its efforts to mobilise the population, and to enable coping, all of which leads to increased trust in leadership which is needed for transformative, collective action such as the pandemic demands.


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The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has released Ethical Guidelines for Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Biomedical Research. These guidelines apply to AI-based tools for all biomedical and health research and applications involving human participants and/or their biological data.
The recognised applications of AI in healthcare include diagnosis and screening, therapeutics, preventive treatments, clinical decision-making, public health surveillance, complex data analysis, predicting disease outcomes, and health management systems.
To ensure the responsible development and use of AI in healthcare, it is crucial to establish an ethical policy framework that guides decision-making. The ICMR guiding document stated that as AI technologies evolve and are increasingly applied in the healthcare sector, there must be processes that discuss accountability in case of errors.
The document outlined ten ethical principles based on the well-being of patients that must be considered when applying AI technology. These principles include accountability and liability for decisions made, respecting patient autonomy, ensuring data privacy, promoting collaboration, minimising risk, and ensuring safety, striving for accessibility and equity, optimising data quality, preventing discrimination and promoting fairness, and ensuring validity and trustworthiness of AI applications.
The principle of autonomy emphasises the importance of obtaining informed consent from patients, who should also be fully informed of the potential physical, psychological, and social risks associated with AI applications. On the other hand, the principle of safety and risk minimisation aims to prevent any unintended or intentional misuse of AI technology.
The body is responsible for assessing the scientific rigor and ethical aspects of all health research. It will ensure that the proposal is scientifically sound and weigh all potential risks and benefits for the population where the research is being carried out. Informed consent and governance of AI tools in the health sector are other critical areas highlighted in the guidelines. The latter is still in the preliminary stages, even in developed countries.
India has made significant strides in increasing the use of AI and other technologies in healthcare. Emerging technologies are being used to track citizens’ health statuses as well as to monitor health outcomes and identify areas for improvement. Last August, the National Health Authority (NHA) issued hardware guidelines for state and union territory hospitals, clinics, and wellness centres. The aim was to promote digitsation in healthcare institutions. The guidelines briefly describe the required infrastructure for the efficient implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), with a particular focus on quality patient care and the adoption of digital initiatives.
As OpenGov Asia reported, the guidelines provide a basic framework for the planning, assessment, and procurement of the IT hardware (including IT specifications of various hardware equipment) based on the size of the healthcare facility. It enables healthcare providers to operate applications compliant with the ABDM. The document includes guidelines for desktops and laptops; printers; QR code readers; QR code printers; fingerprint scanners; uninterrupted power supply (UPS); and web cameras.
ABDM is a national-level digital health ecosystem that intends to support universal health coverage (UHC) in an accessible, inclusive, and affordable manner, through the provision of big data and infrastructure services, and by leveraging open, interoperable, standards-based digital systems. At the same time, the government is keen on ensuring the security, confidentiality, and privacy of health-related personal information.
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The Transport Minister, Michael Wood, launched the country’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging strategy, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. The strategy is titled Charging Our Future. According to Wood, the government’s vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, convenient, and reliable.
The strategy aims to offer journey charging hubs every 150-200 kilometres on main highways, a public charger for every 20-40 EVs in urban areas, and public charging at community facilities for all settlements with 2,000 or more people. Meeting the targets would see tens of thousands more EV chargers across the country, Wood said.
Emissions from the light vehicle fleet are the single largest source of transport emissions in New Zealand, partially due to having some of the most fuel-inefficient and emissions-intensive vehicles in the OECD. This is expensive and damaging to people’s health and the environment. “Switching to EVs would be like buying petrol for 40c/litre, which would make a big difference for household budgets,” he explained.
Last May, the government released Aotearoa New Zealand’s first emissions reduction plan. The plan explored how the country would meet the first emissions budget for 2022–25 and put it on track to meet future emissions budgets. As per the strategy, transport is one of New Zealand’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions and is responsible for 17% of national gross emissions and 39% of total domestic carbon dioxide emissions.
The Emissions Reduction Plan includes the action to rapidly adopt low-emissions vehicles including by improving EV-charging infrastructure across Aotearoa to ensure that citizens have adequate access to charging facilities. Although EVs are not a solution, they are a crucial part of a decarbonised transport system, complementing increased opportunities for adults and children to safely walk, cycle, and use high-quality public transport, the strategy wrote. The country needs an EV charging plan to provide certainty to all parties about the role government will play in supporting EV charging infrastructure.
These new targets will facilitate infrastructure to support different trips and journeys that EV drivers make as well as ensure that rural and provincial New Zealand locations are accessible for residents and visitors with EVs. Wood noted that the success of the government’s clean car policies means there are more than 69,000 EVs on roads, over 80% more than at the end of 2021. This strategy will ensure New Zealand can sustain the uptake of EVs as it is witnessing more people make the switch.
The Ministry will work with local government and industry across transport, energy, and other sectors to deliver on these initiatives. “We also want to make sure we’re working alongside the public. I hope everyone will take the opportunity to feed into the draft strategy and the discussion document,” Wood stated.
The country’s capital, Wellington, previously announced it aims to replace all fossil-fuel-powered passenger vehicles with electric alternatives by 2030. Last year, the Wellington City Council added 24 electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet. As OpenGov Asia reported, by mid-August, there were 40 EVs for staff to use for daily operations.
A study by the New Zealand Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) about Kiwi behaviour showed that on average, people don’t travel more than 20 to 50 kilometres a day. Introducing electric vehicles that are capable of a 250-300 kilometres range in one full charge will be the right match for most Council operations. As Wellington city is compact, there are many opportunities for people to change the way they travel throughout the city and have an impact on carbon emissions. More recently, the capital approved trialling a public e-bike share scheme, allowing residents and visitors to hire e-bikes to get around the city.
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CUHK researchers, led by Professors Zhang Li, Philip Chiu Wai-yan, and Tony Chan Kai-fung, have developed wirelessly powered electronic stents for a non-invasive electrical stimulation therapy to treat gastric acid reflux. The research was published in Science Advances and will be featured in Nature Reviews Bioengineering’s April 2023 issue.
GERD is a persistent gastrointestinal disorder with widespread prevalence. Medication is necessary for about 8% of patients, but it can harm their physical and mental health. Surgical interventions such as Nissen fundoplication and magnetic augmentation are available but require laparoscopic surgery. Electrical stimulation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) offers a promising solution but requires invasive surgery, which is risky.
Implantable electrical stimulation systems for GERD have significant surgical burdens and potential risks, making them difficult to implement. As GERD patients become more prevalent worldwide, there is a strong need for a less invasive electrical stimulation system that can reduce surgical risks and increase patient acceptance.
The research team has developed a wirelessly powered electronic stent (E-Stent) that provides a less invasive strategy for diagnosis and treatment in the gastrointestinal tract. The E-Stent uses a super elastic clinical oesophageal stent as the mechanical skeleton, a liquid metal antenna, and an intrinsically stretchable pulse generator. The liquid metal has a low melting temperature and high electrical conductivity, making it compliant with deformations in the oesophagus. With a wearable power transfer system, the elastic antenna can harvest sufficient energy for electrical stimulation therapy, even under compression of the oesophagus.
To improve design flexibility and speed up production, the research team utilised a laser engrafting machine for the batch fabrication of stretchable circuits. The circuit’s intrinsic stretchability and excellent mechanical properties enable it to provide stable biphasic current stimulation under various extreme deformations. The E-Stent not only overcomes the power bottleneck of bioelectronic implants but also has the potential for other non-invasive biomedical applications in organs with a natural orifice.
The Director of the Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, CU Medicine stated that the team’s bioelectronic platform can regulate GERD by electrical stimulation. The researchers demonstrated the concept in pig models, showing that continuous electrical stimulation can increase the pressure on the lower oesophageal sphincter, which could potentially prevent gastric acid in a less invasive way. The team’s next step is to optimise and transform the prototypes into clinical products. They will continue their interdisciplinary collaboration to move forward with the work and help more people.
Professor Zhang Li from the Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering collaborated with CU Medicine to develop the E-Stent platform and a transoral delivery strategy to overcome several challenges in mucosa-interfacing bioelectronics.
The team worked to address issues such as wirelessly powering bioelectronics inside the body, especially for high-power applications like electrical stimulation, and designing microneedle electrodes to safely and efficiently deliver electrical stimulation across the mucosa, which acts as a natural barrier protecting the GI tract.
Research Assistant Professor Tony Chan Kai-fung of the Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine expressed that digital medicine could have a transformative impact and demonstrates the clinical potential to integrate other functions. He suggested that pressure sensors and other bio-sensors could be integrated with the E-Stent for physiological assessment.
The data collected could be used for real-time optimisation of electrical stimulation and personalised treatment. Professor Chan also noted that the applications of the E-Stent platform are not limited to GERD but can be extended to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract and organs with natural orifices.
Currently, the research team is collaborating to add new features to the E-Stent for other applications in the gastrointestinal tract and conducting further preclinical and clinical evaluations. The team aims to develop a non-invasive platform that provides efficient and safe options for personalised treatments and physiological assessments with various functions of high clinical value. The team envisions that the E-Stent will have a promising future as a highly useful technology.
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A prominent company in the medical imaging industry launched its new production facility in Hong Kong, situated at the MARS Centre within Tai Po INNOPARK. This marks the first time a significant medical equipment production facility has been established in Hong Kong, and it is now the largest MRI production base in Southeast Asia and the Greater Bay Area. The facility’s primary focus is on research and development, as well as the production of highly valuable neonatal and breast screening superconductor MRI systems.
The new facility occupies an area of 30,000 square feet at the MARS Centre, boasting advanced technologies, seamless logistics support, and a highly integrated manufacturing environment. In 2021, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) repositioned the three industrial estates located in Tai Po, Yuen Long, and Tseung Kwan O as INNOPARKS, aiming to drive innovation, technology opportunities, and long-term economic development in Hong Kong through Innofacturing.
This new production facility is expected to significantly enhance the productivity of the company’s cutting-edge neonatal and breast screening MRI systems and aligns with Hong Kong’s Innovation & Technology Development Blueprint’s mission for New Industrialisation and high-value manufacturing.
During the opening ceremony of the new production facility, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry said that Hong Kong possesses distinct life sciences advantages and robust scientific research capabilities. The recent budget release by the Financial Secretary highlights the city’s strength in research and development while fully supporting the establishment of the second Advanced Manufacturing Centre (AMC) operated by HKSTP.
The government is actively promoting the interactive development of upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors to establish a robust foundation for New Industrialisation in Hong Kong. Time Medical’s one-stop shop, which includes R&D, design, production, and sales of high-value medical equipment in Hong Kong, provides significant support to the city’s industrial development.
The company’s Founder and CEO expressed gratitude towards the Innovation, Technology, and Industry Bureau, as well as the HKSTP for their unwavering support. He stated that the opening ceremony marks the company’s significant growth in Hong Kong. The first batch of pediatric MRI systems manufactured in Hong Kong will be used in leading hospitals across the globe. These innovative pediatric products will soon emerge as a premium ‘Hong Kong Brands’ and will be exported to various regions, including Asia, Europe, and the US, he predicted.
The Chairman of HKSTP expressed that the organisation has been actively promoting the “R&D to Innofacturing” concept to cultivate a new generation of high-end manufacturing in Hong Kong. This approach is expected to boost the Hong Kong brand and create more employment opportunities for young people.
He added that he anticipates more innovative I&T companies will make significant contributions in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond, showcasing their R&D achievements and unleashing numerous possibilities for Hong Kong Innofacturing.
The new production facility in Hong Kong will be used to manufacture the dedicated superconductor MRI system, Neona, designed to serve neonates optimally. The neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is a patented product of the company, using original revolutionary technology. It has officially obtained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has also been honoured with the Geneva International Invention Award. Neona is lightweight, compact in size, safe, and reliable, making it suitable for adoption by around 8,000 different neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) worldwide. It offers dedicated and radiation-free diagnoses for infants.
Developed by the company’s engineering team based at Hong Kong Science Park, Neona is the first high-end medical device “Innovated, Designed, and Made in Hong Kong.” It is slated to be exported to the US, Europe, and mainland China, bolstering the Hong Kong brand in the global medical market.
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Stuart Nash, New Zealand’s Minister for Economic Development, has unveiled an initiative to expand and modernise the country’s high-tech manufacturing industry rapidly. One of eight Industry Transformation Plans (ITPs) designed to boost productivity and performance in vital economic sectors is the Advanced Manufacturing ITP.
The plans lay out the steps that may be taken to increase innovation and productivity across the country, which in turn will lead to higher incomes and living standards without causing inflation. Every one of New Zealand benefits from the Plan, not only the areas that have been hit particularly hard by recent natural disasters.
About 10% of New Zealand GDP, 10% of the country’s employment, and 73.5% of its exports are all tied to the advanced manufacturing sector. Around half of these positions are outside of New Zealand’s major cities.
There is a lot of unrealised potential in the advanced manufacturing industry that might boost productivity, create high-paying employment, and aid in the shift towards a more environmentally friendly and competitive economy. “This plan lays out the steps necessary to get there,” Stuart Nash explained at the Plan’s launch in Auckland.
There is also widespread agreement that immediate action is needed to boost capital investment in innovative manufacturing and to train and recruit a diversified pool of workers capable of producing high-quality goods for high wages.
To get started on some of the Plan’s urgent recommendations, the government has allocated $30 million (about US$18.61 million). Included in this is $2.9 million (US$1,8 million) for company-specific support to achieve circular low-emissions manufacturing, $4 million (US$2.48 million) to upskill manufacturing workers in digital skills, and $3.65 million (US$2,26 million) for advice on adopting advanced technologies and processes.
Co-Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing ITP Steering Committee and CEO of the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Brett O’Riley, emphasised the need for a solid collaboration approach to the strategy.
He claims that with continued cooperation, New Zealand companies can develop innovative manufacturing capabilities on par with international leaders, increasing output and boosting earnings. Rachel Mackintosh, Vice President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, Assistant National Secretary of E T, and Co-Chair of the Advanced Manufacturing ITP Steering Committee, agreed.
According to her, the ITP will pave the way for more individuals to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing. New Zealand has the potential to tap into the innovative potential of its varied manufacturing workforce to create a prosperous and long-lasting manufacturing sector.
The manufacturing industry has recently seen a rise in the prevalence of “advance manufacture” initiatives. For example, at Batu Kawan, Penang, Malaysia, an EMS provider has declared intentions to build a Smart “Lights-Out” Factory 4.0. The plant will manufacture new 5G Advanced High-Speed Optical Signal Transmitter and Receiver Optical Modules. The plant will use photonics and semiconductor technologies via a technology transfer with its US-based client.
As part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a unique approach to employing machine learning to detect defects in metal components produced by additive manufacturing. Due to its potential for early flaw identification and defect prediction in 3D printed materials, the innovative technology has the potential to impact the additive manufacturing sector significantly.
Users can save time during inspection since the new technology can inform where pore flaws might be within the part, even if the building process isn’t halted. The team hopes to look at more sensors that can detect additive manufacturing mistakes in the future. Therefore, they need to build a system that can immediately identify and address production issues, educate end users on the nature of the problem and provide guidance on how to repair it.
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A significant partnership between a leading Victorian university and a top global hospital is poised to elevate MedTech breakthroughs and contribute to the enhancement of healthcare. The Minister for Industry and Innovation, Ben Carroll, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Monash University and Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, Israel. The MoU aims to foster research and development of more inclusive healthcare systems and MedTech manufacturing prospects in Victoria.
The Australian government will provide approximately AU$ 200,000 to Monash University’s Victorian Heart Institute in support of the MoU. The funding will facilitate access to cutting-edge technology, accelerate the adoption of new treatments for cardiovascular diseases, and help combat one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide.
The largest university in Australia, Monash University earned the title of the world’s best in Pharmacy and Pharmacology in 2022, becoming the first Australian institution to achieve this distinction. Meanwhile, Sheba Medical Centre acknowledged as one of the top hospitals globally has gained expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), robotic surgery, digital imaging and telemedicine. These capabilities were established through its in-house innovation hub.
This partnership is anticipated to improve the delivery of healthcare in Victoria and create opportunities for local companies to generate employment in MedTech research, manufacturing, and export.
Australia has extended support to various significant MedTech initiatives, including the Australian Medtech Manufacturing Centre (AU$20 million), mRNA Victoria, and MedTech startups through LaunchVic and the Breakthrough Victoria Fund. Victoria’s MedTech sector contributes AU$ 21.4 billion in revenue, AU$ 3.5 billion in exports and sustains around 31,400 jobs.
The Minister for Industry and Innovation expressed his approval of the partnership between Monash University and Sheba Medical Center, citing its potential to attract more investment to Victoria’s MedTech sector and enhance healthcare for Victorians.
The Minister for Health remarked that partnering with a global leader in digital health innovation such as Sheba Medical Center presents an excellent opportunity for Victoria.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Monash University highlighted the institution’s history of translating research into practical applications, underscoring that the partnership is another step towards improving health outcomes through the integration of research and translation.
The Director-General of Sheba Medical Centre stated that that the partnership aims to advance healthcare and promote economic growth while shifting the future of medicine towards prevention.
The Medical Technology market is expected to generate revenue of approximately US$579.40 billion by 2023. The largest segment of the market is Medical Devices, which is projected to reach a market volume of US$470.60 billion in 2023. Despite a regression in revenues in 2020 due to decreased routine medical treatments apart from COVID-19 treatments, the market has bounced back strongly in 2021. The market is expected to exhibit an annual growth rate of 4.91% between 2023-2027, resulting in a market volume of US$701.90 billion by 2027.
The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the emphasis on early diagnosis and treatment by healthcare agencies are among the factors driving growth in the medical technology market. The Medical Technology market is essential to the healthcare sector, with a focus on diagnosing and treating health problems, conducting genetic research and improving physical mobility. Its multifunctional usage and health improvement attributes make it a key player in the industry with steady growth.
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My Health Record has powered the Australian Digital Health Agency’s initial consumer mobile application, known as “my health,” which was launched.
Due to a 292% rise in consumer interest in My Health Record during the previous financial year, the my health app provides Australians with a more convenient way to access crucial health information stored in My Health Record, securely and instantly from their mobile devices.
The app is designed with a user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and access important health information quickly and easily. The app provides direct visibility of key health information, such as allergies, medications, medical conditions, and test results, which are readily available whenever and wherever they are needed.
Users can take greater control of their health journey and be more involved in their everyday health management. By having access to their health information at their fingertips, users can monitor their health more closely, make informed decisions, and communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals.
The app is designed to be an easy-to-use digital health tool that promotes greater autonomy and participation in health management. Users can track their personal health goals, manage appointments, and set reminders for medications and tests. This feature helps users to stay on top of their health and adhere to treatment plans, resulting in better health outcomes.
From the home screen of the my health app, users can quickly:
- Access their medicines information history
- Check pathology results, including COVID-19 and respiratory test results
- View their vaccination history and upcoming immunisations for themselves and their authorised family members
- Keep track of their allergies and reactions information
- View their hospital discharge summaries
- Manage and keep track of their advance care planning documents
- Share their health documents with others
- View multiple health records, including records for children under 14 and any other records with authorised access.
The CEO of the Australian Digital Health Agency stated that enabling consumers to play an active role in their healthcare by providing them with easy access to reliable health information from birth to end-of-life care through quality apps and devices is one of the defining characteristics of a modern healthcare system.
It has been learned from the surge in the use of My Health Record that approximately 75% of interactions between the system and users occurred on mobile devices. As a result, the app was developed using a co-design approach with a focus on user needs. This approach has ensured that the app caters to the needs of all Australians and will continue to evolve over time to meet the changing needs of users.
The app will continue to grow and improve, with users being empowered to take an active role in their healthcare journey. By prioritising user-centred design and development, it is expected that the app will foster trust and confidence among Australians, leading them to participate actively in their healthcare management.
The consumer-facing app enhances accessibility to health information, providing a simplified way for users to store, see, and share documents. With information at their fingertips, users can take an active role in their health management, facilitating greater engagement and support throughout their wellness journey.
Research has found that almost two-thirds of Australians regularly use their mobile phones to manage, access, and share their health information. The release of a consumer-facing app is a direct response to consumer demand for health information access when and where they need it, making it not only a logical technical development but also an essential advancement.
To ensure the app offers the most user-friendly and accessible experience, a range of measures were undertaken by The Agency. This includes conducting interviews, surveys, accessibility and usability testing with a diverse group of users, including medical professionals and consumers of different ages, locations, cultural backgrounds, and varying levels of health complexity.
Robust data protection mechanisms have been implemented to secure consumer health information within my health, protecting against external interference. The app is fully integrated with end-to-end encryption on the My Health Record platform, ensuring maximum security for users. A seamless connection between the platform and the app is achieved by leveraging the new Health API Gateway.
As soon as new health data is available on My Health Record, it is automatically downloaded onto the app’s interface, providing users with up-to-date information at all times.