As the year comes to an end, it is time to take stock of the achievements and learnings in the health-tech sector. Technological advancements and digital initiatives have been consistently disrupting the healthcare sector – with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered medical imaging, platforms (remotely) connecting doctors and patients as well as apps for just about everything!
By Jisha Krishnan
2019 was an eventful year that took the health tech narrative forward, making substantial efforts to bridge the enormous gaps in Asia’s healthcare infrastructure and delivery. Here’s our pick of the top trends that shaped the sector this year:
Wearable tech for all
Earlier this year, the Apple Watch was granted a medical device status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Apple Series 4 Watch comes with an inbuilt electrocardiogram (ECG) to warn users in case of a heart complication. What’s more, it can also send notifications to one’s physician and family members in the case of an emergency.
Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), day-to-day healthcare monitoring is easier than ever before. From sleek fitness trackers and portable heart monitors to sleep trackers and smartwatches, 2019 saw a greater acceptance of devices that not only help prevent chronic diseases but also enable early diagnosis and timely treatment. And with Google’s purchase of popular wearable maker Fitbit last month, we can possibly expect better diagnosis and monitoring algorithms by next year.
Apps for everything
Mobile apps are increasing addressing specific consumer pain points. The CareVoice, for instance, a Shanghai-based mobile platform, guides users to the appropriate medical facility, according to their symptom as well as an insurance policy. Similarly, Headspace, an easy-to-use meditation app, offers a hands-on way to deal with anxiety, stress, insomnia, or simply a cluttered mind.
This year saw the big players, like Apple, enabling care providers to develop apps on its platform rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution. And that holds immense promise. Mobile apps are changing the way people think of and approach healthcare solutions. Whether it’s keeping tabs of your doctors’ appointments and medications or measuring your blood glucose levels and urging you to take corrective measures, there are apps for everything today. Including mental health maladies.
Telemedicine solutions
Latest advancements in data processing and machine learning are bringing physicians and patients closer, irrespective of their locations. In most Asian countries – with the exception of Singapore with 2.3 doctors per 1,000 people – where the doctor to patient ratio is below the global average of 1.5 doctors per 1,000, telemedicine is slowly emerging as the game-changer. Facilitating early diagnosis and treatment as well as timely access to specialists.
Singapore based on-demand video consultation platform Doctor Anywhere is a fine example of how healthcare can be made accessible and affordable for all. There are quite a few players in the telemedicine space today that provide remote solutions for doctor visits as well as ongoing chronic care management. These telecommunications technology-powered solutions not only offer good healthcare outcomes but also lower costs for both patients and providers.
Fem tech growth
Finally, female technology or fem tech is in the spotlight. The market is booming – projected to touch $50 billion by 2025 – with an increasing number of startups using technology to address women’s health issues. In India, for instance, NIRAMAI (Non-Invasive Risk Assessment with Machine Intelligence) is lifting the traditional shroud of shame surrounding breast examination. The Bengaluru-based startup has developed an innovative early breast cancer detection technology that is privacy-aware, radiation-free and non-invasive.
From digital birth control and period devices to wearable breast pumps and AI-based healthcare screening solutions, 2019 witnessed more open conversations and greater awareness about leveraging science and technology in this area. The stage has been set for a healthcare revolution.
All in all
This was a good year for health tech, with innovation redefining the delivery of healthcare, particularly in Asia. Industry reports find that apart from China, India and Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam are the key markets to watch out for in terms of health tech.
There will be opportunities galore in 2020. Perhaps, Blockchain augmented reality and virtual reality, among other technologies, will lead the way to better health technology innovation and adoption in Asia.
