SINGAPORE (Sept 11): Doctor Anywhere is participating in the Ministry of Health Singapore’s (MOH) regulatory sandbox for telemedicine providers.
The telemedicine sandbox is the first initiative under MOH’s Licensing experimentation and adaptation programme (Leap), introduced to enable the development and refinement of innovative solutions in a safe and controlled environment.
Founded in 2015, Doctor Anywhere’s video consultation service offers care-seekers quick and easy access to medical doctors and healthcare professionals through video consultations on the mobile phone. These services are currently available for the public’s use through the Doctor Anywhere app.
“Telemedicine offers greater convenience and improved accessibility to medical support and medication through new digital self-help options,” says the Ministry of Health Singapore.
“This has the potential to enhance productivity and cost-effectiveness, and become an impactful enabler in Singapore’s healthcare landscape,” it adds.
“Doctor Anywhere’s participation in the MOH Regulatory sandbox indicates that MOH has reviewed our model and found it consistent with the regulatory ethos of MOH, which we hope gives care-seekers the assurance and confidence in our service standards and medical protocol,” says Lim Wai Mun, Founder of Doctor Anywhere. “Our care-seekers can benefit from having quick access to medical help while knowing essential safety and risk mitigation measures are set in place.”
“The programme also serves as a spark plug in bringing the industry together and creating meaningful dialogue on the responsible use of telemedicine. Through this scheme, industry players will be empowered to effectively communicate and collaborate on important health issues, which would be a key enabler in advancing the telemedicine ecosystem and improving healthcare outcomes,” Lim adds.
As Singapore prepares for a rapidly ageing population, the need for accessible and affordable services will surge. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be 65 years or older, elderly costs are expected to rise 10-fold in the next 15 years, and Asia will have the highest chronic disease deaths by 2020.
“As a Smart Nation and a healthcare hub, Singapore is constantly striving to find the most innovative and cost-effective solutions to improve care-seekers’ overall healthcare journey. Amidst this, the burgeoning telemedicine industry offers significant promise to meet these demands,” says Lim, “We’re excited to be a part of the regulatory sandbox as we continue to shape and uplift the telemedicine ecosystem, together with industry players and continued support from the government.”
