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Singapore: Ministry of Health launches Healthcare Industry Transformation Map 2025

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In brief

On 26 July 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) launched the Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 for healthcare. The ITM 2025 refreshes the ITM for healthcare, which was first launched in 2017.

ITM 2025 focuses on four main areas: (i) strengthening Singapore’s research and innovation ecosystem; (ii) strengthening digital system enablers; (iii) attracting and retaining healthcare workers; and (iv) strengthening partnerships.

In more detail

Background

The ITM for healthcare was first launched in 2017, under which the MOH laid out its vision to champion a healthy nation in view of the ageing population, increasing chronic disease burden, slower workforce growth and rising healthcare costs.

With the launch of the ITM 2025, the MOH has placed a stronger focus on transforming the health of Singapore’s population through innovative and sustainable strategies.

Strengthening Singapore’s research and innovation ecosystem

MOH aims to strengthen Singapore’s research and innovation ecosystem to better drive and support enhancements in health. This will be implemented through the following:

  • Revamping the Healthy 365 and HealthHub digital apps
  • Leveraging data more effectively for health research
  • Employing the national clinical translational programmes and translational platforms, which aim to accelerate clinical adoption of value-based healthcare and support health systems transformation

Strengthening digital system enablers

MOH has announced that it is working on addressing new and emerging regulatory issues in healthcare by implementing the Healthcare Services Act and introducing the Health Information Bill.

In particular, the MOH has recognised that with advancements in telemedicine and telehealth services, there is an increased push to enable access to professional quality care in non-traditional healthcare settings such as in patients’ homes and more opportunities to deliver greater customised and personalised care such as personalised health plans and precision medicine.

In response, the MOH has enhanced efforts in digitalisation and productivity, including strengthening information technology (IT) and digital system enablers and regulatory frameworks, to support the transformation of care models and approaches.

You may access our articles on the Healthcare Service Act here and on the Health Information Bill here.

Attracting and retaining healthcare workers

To meet current and future workforce needs of Singapore’s ageing population, the MOH will redouble its efforts to attract and retain healthcare workers, such as the following:

  • Enhancing recruitment efforts, especially in nursing and support care
  • Redesigning jobs to make support care roles more appealing
  • Refocusing on primary and preventive health in medical training
  • Continuing to nurture the healthcare workforce

Strengthening partnerships

The MOH will also work with agencies, public healthcare bodies and academic institutions to strengthen Singapore’s internationalisation strategies.

This will involve supporting promising locally based enterprises to develop and test their innovations locally and scale them globally. This will enable MOH to bring in validated and cost-effective global innovations that can benefit the local healthcare system.

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Andy Leck is the head of the Intellectual Property and Technology (IPTech) Practice Group and a member of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Singapore. He is a core member of Baker McKenzie's regional IP practice and also leads the Myanmar IP Practice Group. Andy is recognised by reputable global industry and legal publications as a leader in his field. He was named on "The A-List: Singapore's Top 100 lawyers" by Asia Business Law Journal 2018. In addition, Chambers Asia Pacific notes that Andy is "a well-known IP practitioner who is highlighted for his record of handling major trade mark litigation, as well as commercial exploitation of IP rights in the media and technology sectors. He's been in the industry for a long time and has always been held in high regard. He is known to be very fair and is someone you would like to be in the trenches with you during negotiations." Furthermore, Asian Legal Business acknowledges Andy as a leading practitioner in his field and notes that he “always gives good, quick advice, [is] client-focused and has strong technical knowledge for his areas of practice.” Andy was appointed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) as an IP Adjudicator to hear disputes at IPOS for a two-year term from April 2021. He has been an appointed member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal since May 2010 and a mediator with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. He is also appointed as a Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths in Singapore. He previously served on the International Trademark Association’s Board of Directors and was a member of the executive committee.

Author

Ren Jun Lim is a principal with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow. He represents local and international clients in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters. He also advises on a full range of healthcare, as well as consumer goods-related legal and regulatory issues. Ren Jun co-leads Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow's Healthcare as well as Consumer Goods & Retail industry groups. He sits on the Law Society of Singapore IP Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Association of Information Security Professionals. He is also a member of the Vaccines Working Group, Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, a member of the International Trademark Association, as well as a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Association. Ren Jun is ranked in the Silver tier for Individuals: Enforcement and Litigation and Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy, and a recommended lawyer for Individuals: Transactions by WTR 1000, 2020. He is also listed in Asia IP's Best 50 IP Expert, 2020, recognised as a Rising Star by Managing IP: IP Stars, 2019 and one of Singapore's 70 most influential lawyers aged 40 and under by Singapore Business Review, 2016. Ren Jun was acknowledged by WTR 1000 as a "trademark connoisseur who boasts supplementary knowledge of regulatory issues in the consumer products industry." He was also commended by clients for being "very responsive to enquiries and with a keen eye for detail, he is extremely hands-on. His meticulous and in-depth approach to strategising is key to the excellent outcomes we enjoy."

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