Shaping the Future of Digital Health in Asia-Pacific Region

In the BIO Asia-Taiwan 2024 Conference, Digital healths’ session brings out the integrated various fields, with AI and data at the forefront. Taiwan is well-positioned for this integration with its renowned semiconductor industry, top-notch ICT supply chain, and robust healthcare system, covering over 90% of the population through National Health Insurance. Taiwan has been gathering health data for nearly 30 years from 20 million people, ready for innovative minds to utilize.

Digital Health Trends and Global Business Strategies

Nipun Jain, Head of Innovation Hubs & Partnerships for International Region in AstraZeneca discusses digital health trends and global business strategies on behalf of AstraZeneca. More than 50% of the world’s population resides in countries across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Unfortunately, patient outcomes in these regions are not on par with the rest of the world. “We believe digital technologies and AI represent an opportunity to uplift healthcare systems, making them more resilient” he said.

AstraZeneca has created the A Catalyst Network, a dynamic network of partners across healthcare industries and disciplines globally, aimed at catalyzing healthcare innovation. AstraZeneca’s health innovation hubs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Oceania work in collaboration with local stakeholders to address regional priorities.

For example, AstraZeneca’s collaboration with Cure AI uses their AI platform to identify lung cancer risks in routine chest x-rays. This initiative allows for incidental screening of lung cancer, providing more patients the chance to access life-saving treatments earlier. By partnering with various stakeholders, including governments and healthcare professionals, AstraZeneca aims to create robust and sustainable healthcare systems worldwide.

Google Cloud’s Vision for the Future of Healthcare

Tony Lee, Head of Sales, Google Cloud Taiwan shared Google’s perspective on the future of healthcare from a technology standpoint. Google Health, a company-wide effort, aims to improve the health of a billion people. Over the last 15 years, Google has invested $4 billion and initiated 60 operations related to healthcare and life sciences, leveraging Google’s expertise in AI and data solutions.

Gen AI is transforming various industries, including healthcare. Google has been a pioneer in AI, using it as early as 2001 for correcting spelling errors in search queries. Google’s latest Gen AI models, such as Med-PaLM 2, trained on medical data, are being used to enhance healthcare services. For instance, Google’s partnership with the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) in Taiwan aims to use AI to predict chronic disease risks, starting with diabetes.

Panel Discussion: Bridging the Gap – Expanding the Cross-Disciplinary Digital Health Community

Nipun Jain emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, highlighting that innovation in healthcare requires input from various stakeholders, including governments, academia, entrepreneurs, and technology companies. Successful innovation also depends on generating clinical evidence and creating a conducive policy environment for implementation.

Dr. Jingwei Lee noted that government resources should be prioritized based on public health needs, such as addressing chronic diseases and mental health issues. Peter Kurz suggested that incentive programs are essential to encourage the adoption of new technologies and preventive healthcare measures.

Tony Lee pointed out that partnerships are crucial for driving technological innovation in healthcare. He outlined three key elements for successful collaboration: policy, pilot projects, and product commitment.

Dr. Kai-Cheng Hsu shared that interdisciplinary collaboration is a daily routine at ITRI. He highlighted ongoing projects, such as building a universal electronic medical information system, developing AI models for precision diagnosis, and connecting hospitals with local clinics through AIoT devices.

Future Perspectives

The panelists shared their visions for the future of digital health. Nipun Jain highlighted AstraZeneca’s commitment to bringing innovation to the global stage, ensuring equitable healthcare outcomes. Dr. Jingwei Lee and Peter Kurz emphasized Taiwan’s potential to play a leading role in digital health due to its high-quality healthcare system and comprehensive data platform.

Tony Lee discussed the transformative potential of Gen AI in healthcare, while Dr. Kai-Cheng Hsu outlined goals for building a universal electronic medical information system, validating AI models for medical use, and connecting hospitals with clinics through AIoT devices.

The discussion underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and data-driven approaches in shaping the future of digital health. The panelists’ insights and experiences highlighted the critical role of partnerships in advancing healthcare technologies and improving patient outcomes globally.

Author

Oscar Wu