New ASEAN Index finds high confidence in care readiness, but 98% of leaders see significant pressures ahead

ASEAN Care Readiness Index finds high confidence across six markets, but pressures could test future readiness.

Across six ASEAN markets, 94% of healthcare and MedTech leaders say their organisations are prepared for the next three to five years, but 98% identify at least one development that will place significant pressure on that readiness, according to the inaugural ASEAN Care Readiness Index 2026, commissioned by Messe Düsseldorf Asia.

The findings reveal high confidence in current readiness, alongside a clear recognition that capabilities will need to evolve as healthcare demands change. Digital transformation and AI are the most frequently cited future pressures overall, selected by 54%, whilst 44% name digital health and AI as their single biggest capability gap, more than twice the proportion citing MedTech innovation, the next highest at 17%.

Investment priorities reinforce the same picture. 60% say digital health, AI, data, and interoperability should be prioritised for investment, making it the leading investment priority in every market surveyed. Technology implementation capability is also the most frequently cited barrier to future readiness at 54%, followed by workforce capacity and skills at 46%.

The pressure points, however, differ sharply by market. In Singapore, ageing populations and workforce shortages are the joint leading future pressures, each cited by 48% of respondents. Digital transformation and AI lead in Indonesia (66%), Vietnam (62%) and Malaysia (52%), whilst growing rehabilitation and long-term care demand ranks highest in Thailand (54%). In the Philippines, rising healthcare demand is the leading future pressure (54%), with technology implementation capability (60%) and funding and investment (58%) also emerging as significant barriers.

The ASEAN Care Readiness Index 2026 captures the views of 300 senior healthcare and MedTech decision-makers across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It examines perceived readiness across four interconnected areas: workforce; infrastructure and technology; future care and rehabilitation; and MedTech innovation and supply chains.

Lars Wismer, Managing Director, Messe Düsseldorf Asia, said: “Confidence is a strong starting point, but readiness cannot stand still. Healthcare systems across Southeast Asia are navigating technology adoption, workforce constraints, ageing populations, and changing models of care at the same time. The opportunity now is to strengthen the connections between these areas, ensuring investment in technology is matched by the people and infrastructure to implement it, and that innovation responds to how and where care will increasingly be delivered. That is why bringing the different parts of the healthcare ecosystem together matters.”

Messe Düsseldorf Asia will unveil the Index in Singapore alongside Medical Fair Asia, Medical Manufacturing Asia and the inaugural RehaCare Asia, taking place from 9–11 September 2026 at Marina Bay Sands. Organised by Messe Düsseldorf Asia, the three exhibitions span the healthcare value chain, from medical manufacturing, MedTech, and digital innovation through to healthcare delivery, rehabilitation, community care, and independent living.

Together, the events bring different parts of the healthcare ecosystem into one place, convening healthcare providers, MedTech and manufacturing leaders, rehabilitation and community care professionals, policymakers, and innovators from across Southeast Asia. The Index findings will also anchor a panel discussion during the Opening Ceremony on 9 September, examining what the findings mean for future healthcare and MedTech readiness across the region.
Ms Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, will attend the Opening Ceremony as Guest of Honour.

Making its Singapore debut, RehaCare Asia extends the portfolio into rehabilitation, assistive technologies, community care, healthy ageing, and independent living, as ageing populations and changing care needs increase the focus on support beyond acute healthcare settings. It joins the established Medical Fair Asia and Medical Manufacturing Asia, connecting conversations across healthcare delivery, future models of care, and the technologies and manufacturing capabilities that enable them.

The events are supported by a network of healthcare, knowledge and industry partners, including SingHealth as Healthcare Innovation Partner, Frost & Sullivan as Knowledge Partner, and temi as Smart Solution Partner. Supporting healthcare and rehabilitation organisations from across Southeast Asia include the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia, Indonesian Association of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Malaysian Physiotherapy Association, Philippine Hospital Association, and Thai Rehabilitation Medicine Association, amongst others.
Medical Fair Asia, Medical Manufacturing Asia, and RehaCare Asia 2026 are now open for registration. Click on the respective links to learn more and register to attend.

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