The Singapore Government has announced an SGD 200 million (USD 149 million) investment over five years to enhance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and genomics data in its public healthcare sector. This funding, through the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Health Innovation Fund, aims to scale up proven technologies into nationwide initiatives, strengthening preventive care and improving patient outcomes. The initiative complements existing investments in research and innovation under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise framework, marking a significant commitment to modernising healthcare delivery.
Key applications of the funding include the launch of a national genetic testing programme for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) by mid-2025, which will enable earlier detection and lifestyle interventions for individuals with hereditary high cholesterol. MOH also plans to expand the use of AI across healthcare systems, focusing on imaging solutions for earlier diagnosis and treatment. AI-assisted mammography is being developed for more efficient breast cancer screenings, with plans for a progressive rollout from late 2025. Additionally, generative AI tools will automate routine documentation tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus on patient care.
To support these initiatives, MOH is enhancing its digital infrastructure with projects like the consolidated electronic medical record system and the Health Empowerment through Advance Learning and Intelligent eXchange platform. This cloud-based system will enable secure sharing of anonymised clinical and genomic data, driving innovation in AI and machine learning tools. These developments aim to transform Singapore’s healthcare system into a data-driven, preventive care model while ensuring cybersecurity and patient privacy.
(Sources: Ministry of Health; The Straits Times)
