The digital health industry has rapidly emerged as a vital component of the global healthcare landscape, driven by the global ageing demographic and demand for more efficient, accessible, and cost-effective healthtech solutions. 

There is ample opportunity for innovation, from operational functions to utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in medical research.

In Southeast Asia, the digital health industry has remained a key focus for the government and private sectors as the pandemic exposed many vulnerabilities. Practitioners are keen to adopt solutions and services that will automate most administrative functions, freeing resources to focus on actual patient care. However, they continue to ensure they are well-prepared to address the next outbreak or disaster. 

Taking Care of our Elderly, the Ageing Population Crisis

Over the past two decades, ASEAN’s demographic structure has shifted towards an ageing population. In particular, elderly individuals increased from 5.3 per cent in 2000 to 7.5 per cent in 2022. This is of great concern for most governments as they would need to consider their healthcare infrastructure and manpower to address the increasing demand. 

The growing emphasis on digital health responds to the ageing population across ASEAN. Experts project that Malaysia will become a “super-aged society” by 2056. By that time, over 20 per cent of the population will be 65-plus. Rising chronic diseases also add to the issue. For example, a study by the World Health Organization noted an increase in cancer incidence among young Malaysians aged between 35 and 64 years. 

Chronic diseases strain the healthcare system and highlight the need for better digital health solutions to track, study, and research these trends.

Malaysia is advancing its healthtech sector as part of a broader strategy to solidify its position as the digital hub of ASEAN. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) plays a pivotal role in this mission by promoting digital adoption across sectors, including healthcare.

Through the Malaysia Digital (MD) national strategic initiative, the MDEC is transforming the country’s digital landscape. It does this by leveraging technology and innovation to drive sustainable economic growth. By creating a supportive environment for healthtech innovation, the agency is integrating digital health into Malaysia’s healthcare system and digital economy.

Also read: MDEC seeks to encourage SMEs’ digitalisation with US$1.5M grant

A Thriving Ecosystem for Digital Health Innovation

The Malaysian government recognises the transformative potential of the healthcare sector. Through agencies like the MDEC, the country has created a favourable environment for digital health innovation. 

Digital health is not just an emerging field. In fact, it is becoming integral to the country’s healthcare system and digital economy. Key players in Malaysia’s digital health landscape include DoctorOnCall, HealthMetrics, QMed Asia and ORA. They each play a significant role in the industry’s growth.

DoctorOnCall offers services ranging from online doctor consultations to a comprehensive digital pharmacy. The platform was vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing essential healthcare services to those unable to access traditional facilities. CEO Maran Virumandi states that DoctorOnCall aims to make healthcare as accessible as ordering food online and ensuring quality healthcare is made available to all Malaysians. 

DoctorOnCall’s integration of telehealth and digital pharmacy services has set a new industry standard. Consequently, this expands the possibilities of digital healthcare delivery.

More Examples of Inroads in Digital Health

HealthMetrics has significantly impacted the management of employee healthcare benefits through its cloud-based platform. This platform streamlines processes from employee enrolment to claims management. In particular, it offers real-time data to help companies make informed decisions.

CEO Alvin Yuan said that HealthMetrics facilitates seamless access to healthcare services by connecting corporate and insurance members to a vast network of healthcare providers across Southeast Asia. This approach enhances employee health and productivity while reducing healthcare costs for companies. This positions HealthMetrics as a crucial player in the industry.

QMed Asia is revolutionising healthcare delivery with advanced digital solutions tailored for healthcare providers. Its offerings include the Qmed Kiosk, which has significantly reduced patient registration times. Further, AI-driven tools like Qmed Copilot assist doctors in making more informed decisions. 

Dr Kev Lim, CEO of QMed Asia, states, “We are well-positioned to lead the way, expanding our AI capabilities to create smarter, more intuitive systems that connect seamlessly with existing healthcare infrastructures and drive better outcomes for both patients and providers.”

ORA is a tele-medicine provider and wellness platform that is re-shaping the digital healthcare landscape in Southeast Asia. It does so by integrating AI-driven solutions into telemedicine and wellness services. One of its most significant advancements is the use of artificial intelligence to empower doctors with personalised care insights.

Digital Health: Turning challenges into opportunities

Despite this progress, digital health adoption is not easy. The industry is fraught with regulations, compliance requirements, and infrastructure barriers. The digital divide remains a crucial problem since not all populations have equal access to the technology needed for digital health solutions. 

Additionally, cybersecurity concerns are becoming increasingly relevant as more sensitive health data is stored and managed digitally.

However, these challenges also present opportunities. With Malaysia’s stated push into AI, more political willpower must be mustered to realise a national Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. This iss the pre-requisite for better healthcare outcomes in collaboration with Digital Health companies. According to this article, Indonesia may already be ahead in this respect. 

Malaysia does not need to reinvent the wheel, as it can glean best practices from initiatives such as Taiwan’s NHIA. Regional collaboration within ASEAN could help standardise regulations and create a more unified digital health ecosystem. Public-private partnerships will drive innovation and address the digital divide. This will ensure that digital health solutions reach those who need them most. The growing interest in AI-driven diagnostics, remote patient monitoring, and other emerging sectors offers vast potential for continued growth and development.

Also read: Malaysian government-backed MDEC launches digital hub and entrepreneur initiatives; aims to help startups scale globally

AI and Personalization in Digital Health

HealthMetrics, for example, has utilised AI and real-time data analytics to enhance fraud management and cost containment. As a result, it has established itself as a leader in the digital health space. Similarly, QMed Asia’s focus on integrating AI into healthcare practices via Qmed NORA is paving the way for more personalised and efficient patient care and offering significant opportunities for growth.

Meanwhile, DoctorOnCall won the United Nations AI for Good award. It has integrated AI into various solutions, including medical chatbots and mobile clinics. Further, ORA has gathered millions of anonymized data points. These are analysed to create predictive models tailored to the local demographic. Then, these models are tested against consultation data, treatment types, and clinical outcomes. This enables ORA to recommend therapies that are best suited to individual patient needs.

By focusing on personalisation, ORA aims to optimise patient outcomes and provide a standard of care that surpasses traditional primary healthcare models. As the platform expands, its AI applications will cover a broader range of conditions, continually enriching its data ecosystem. This approach not only enhances preventive care but also facilitates participation in clinical studies. Thus, ORA is positioned at the forefront of healthcare innovation in the region.

Malaysia as a Crucial Player in Digital Health Transformation

Digital health is set to transform healthcare systems across ASEAN, with Malaysia as its crucial player. The country’s proactive approach is driving the sector’s growth and integration into the broader digital economy. It achieves this by providing intervention in critical areas such as policy, business expansion, investments, amplification, talent mentoring. This is supported by government initiatives such as MDEC’s Founders Centre of Excellence (FOX) and Digital Health programme together with leading Digital Health companies. As digital health evolves, its impact on Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region will likely deepen. Ideally, his will lead to improved healthcare outcomes and a more robust digital economy. 

The future of digital health in Malaysia appears promising. It has the potential to enhance healthcare access and quality while positioning the country as a leader in the global digital health landscape.

MDEC offers various programmes for Malaysia Digital status companies. Apply for Malaysia Digital status here.

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This article is sponsored by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)

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Featured Image Credit: MDEC

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