Singapore ramps up public healthcare system with new AI tools

Authorities plan to merge HealthHub and other public health apps into a single platform by 2027.

Singapore’s public healthcare system is expanding its use of artificial intelligence (AI), from using tools to detect tuberculosis and bone fractures to predicting serious conditions in advance.

During the Synapxe AI Accelerate Conference, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung outlined how these AIs are being integrated into the public healthcare system.

Starting this month, the National Centre for Infectious Diseases will use chest X-rays to screen for tuberculosis, whilst Woodlands Health will use AI tools in its emergency department to detect bone fractures.

“This capability will be rolled out progressively. It is quite a mature capability, but we need to work out the processes, ensure accessibility, and ensure that people are trained,” Ong said. “By end-2026, this should be a national capability.”

SingHealth’s AI tool, Note Buddy, is already in use by over 2,100 healthcare workers to draft medical and administrative notes, reportedly improving productivity and reducing repetitive tasks. The system has generated over 16,000 notes so far.

“All public healthcare institutions will be using this or similar tools by the end of this year,” Ong said.

Authorities are also working to unify various health apps such as HealthHub, Health Buddy, NHG Cares, and NUHS App into a single platform by 2027.

“We can enhance this newly consolidated HealthHub with AI, so that the app can do more than manage health records, appointments, and bill payments,” Ong said.

“HealthHub AI can offer personalised health information, such as how to manage common health conditions, including through lifestyle changes,” he added.

The consolidated app will also be delivered through a multilingual, conversational interface. A beta version is currently being tested, and Synapxe aims to launch it later this year.

Finally, predictive preventive care, where AI models combined with the judicious use of medical, socio-economic, and even genetic data can help doctors predict if someone is likely to develop serious conditions many years in advance.

“Whilst we harness the power of AI, we will continue to maintain the human touch through our family doctors, guiding and empowering residents to take charge of health outcomes before illness strikes,” Ong said.

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