Tech Can Help Efforts To Shift Healthcare Delivery Towards Community: Ong Ye Kung

Use Of Telemedicine, AI Can Support National Initiatives Such As Healthier SG, Age Well SG

- Zhaki Abdullah

The use of technologies such as telemedicine and artificial intelligence (AI) can help bolster national initiatives such as Healthier SG and Age Well SG by shifting the delivery of healthcare away from hospitals towards the community, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on July 24.

Speaking at an event organised by the National University Health System (NUHS) to mark Nurses' Day, he said there is a "strong, ground-up proliferation" of good potential uses of AI in healthcare. These will be implemented "thoughtfully and judiciously", he added.

Technology will allow nurses to carry out their work more productively, said Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies.

"It's impossible for technology to replace the work of a nurse, but it can make your job better," he added.

During the event, NUHS highlighted several examples of new technology it is adopting, such as the Endeavour AI Fall Risk Assessment tool, which uses AI to analyse a patient's medical history, medication list and mobility status to predict the patient's risk of falling.

It is expected to be introduced at the National University Hospital later in 2025.

Meanwhile, Alexandra Hospital is testing the use of "virtual nursing" in its smart wards.