Singapore and China research and development

November 7, 2024

Smiling female doctor talking to patient. Mature healthcare worker is discussing with woman. They are sitting in clinic. — Image: © Portra | iStock

Professor Preethi Kesavan, Director of Studies and Head, School of Advanced Technology and Digital Media at the London School of Business and Finance Singapore, provides an update on research and development in Asia, including in Singapore plus health innovation in China

Regions such as Asia lead global progress in science, technology, and health, and countries like Japan and China, along with Singapore, support transformational works. This editorial examines key advances in science, the most significant medical innovation, and the growing impact of an ageing population on nursing care and healthy living across the continent.

Japan has been home to medical technology, pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, precision medicine, and public health advancements. It is also at the forefront of this kind of work, with a particular focus on ageing-related research, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The growing ageing population of Singapore is changing the country’s healthcare system, especially in nursing care. Singapore’s population is ageing at one of the fastest rates in Asia, and as a result, there is a growing need for senior-focused healthcare services. With one in four Singaporeans anticipated to be elderly by 2030, the healthcare sector is expected to face major challenges.

Research and development in Singapore

But Singapore isn’t only becoming prepared for this demographic change; it’s also leading the way in innovative eldercare practices that could become the norm worldwide. The government has recently made significant investments in research and development (R&D) to enhance nursing care, particularly when it comes to integrating technology. In healthcare settings, typical functions like medication distribution and patient monitoring are increasingly being performed by robots and artificial intelligence (AI), giving the nurses time for more complex jobs.

Singapore is also leading the way in telehealth consultations. By managing chronic diseases from the comfort of their homes, elderly folks can reduce hospital visits and ease the burden on healthcare facilities through the deployment of remote health monitoring technologies. This technology ensures elderly individuals have a higher quality of life and is also cost-effective.

Singapore’s research institutes are devoted to geriatrics and gerontology, aiming to delay the development of age-related illnesses to enhance long-term care results. The problems brought on by an ageing population will probably keep changing as long as R&D and innovation produce new nursing care techniques and methods.

Additionally, studies reveal that although Singapore’s youth are becoming more conscious of the value of health, their eating habits are still problematic. According to a survey, Gen Z has misunderstandings about healthy eating. For example, they think that if they follow the “My Healthy Plate” standards, they don’t need to be careful of calories. While most participants were aware of portion sizes, there was some misunderstanding of the necessity of making better choices and keeping an eye on caloric intake. To dispel this misconception, more precise educational efforts addressing long-term healthy eating patterns are required.

88% of survey participants reported dining out more than three times a week, mostly for lunch and dinner, indicating that eating out regularly is a common practice. Additionally, even though 92% of respondents felt that eating healthily is important, 100% of respondents thought that if they ate healthily, they wouldn’t need to exercise.

Likewise, many people thought that healthier oils rendered moderation meaningless and that fruit juice was a good enough replacement for real fruit. These results highlight how crucial it is to emphasise calorie knowledge, food quality, portion control, and the vital role exercise plays in preserving good health. Education programmes must eliminate these misunderstandings to promote a greater understanding of healthy living.

China’s health research and innovation

China is becoming a more significant player in global health research and innovation, mainly due to the high standards outlined in its 14th Five-Year Plan. In addition to making investments in the healthcare industry, the nation is becoming a prominent force in the creation of novel drugs, medical devices, and methods for delivering healthcare. China’s emphasis on creating a healthcare system that emphasises innovation, affordability, and accessibility is at the core of this change.

China has advanced significantly in biotechnology and medical research during the last ten years. With some of the biggest genomic research programmes in the world, the nation’s scientists are breaking new ground in personalised medicine, developing cancer treatments specific to a patient’s genetic composition.

However, China is not limited to pharmaceutical innovation in health research. Big data analytics and AI have revolutionised how doctors diagnose and treat patients in the healthcare industry. Researchers are using the massive volumes of health data generated by China’s population to enhance patient outcomes.

China is leveraging cutting-edge technologies to transform healthcare through initiatives like AI-driven diagnostics, predictive analytics, and smart health management systems, to name a few. Nevertheless, through its dedication to health research and innovation, China is laying a solid foundation for future research and development that may benefit not just its own people but also the entire world community.