18-Jan-17 Singapore will reorganise the healthcare system into three integrated clusters. Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said “There remain many challenges ahead such as our ageing population, increased chronic disease burden and the need to manage future growth in healthcare manpower and spending.” With all three clusters having primary care capabilities, integration of care in instances like patient referrals will be streamlined. [image: Today / Channel News Asia]

16-Jan-17 One of the Philippines' Department of Health's initiatives to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an eHealth Strategic Framework, which aims to integrate ICT with healthcare. The SDGs got the support of Globe through a partnership with Salud Interactiva. Globe is offering the KonsultaMD service which provides access to licensed doctors. With 24/7 phone consultation, patients receive medical assessment. [image: Cebu Daily News]

11-Jan-17 American medical device contract manufacturer Paramit Corp announced the opening of its new facility located on mainland Penang in Malaysia. The site will be the region’s largest manufacturing facility for complex medical devices, realising sophisticated systems for genetic and molecular testing, robotic surgery and cancer treatment, and will also serve its current industrial products customer base. [image: The Star / Asri Abdul Ghani]

11-Jan-17 With Malaysia emerging as the number one country in the world for healthcare, the government is working to secure MYR1 bn (USD225 mn) to expand its medical industry. Already doing well in medical tourism, Penang would be focusing on turning itself into a medical city. Malaysia was recently named number one in the world for healthcare by International Living magazine. [image: Free Malaysia Today]

11-Jan-17 Under pressure Thailand is seeking new markets and promoting health checks. Thailand is under pressure from competition and weaker economies in key source regions - Russia and Middle East. The government is beginning to move promotional efforts to newer markets of China and Indochina. [image: IMTJ]