10/05/2026

theSunday Special III ON SUNDAY MAY 10, 2026

“In the future, we will have different frequencies of data collection for different departments, and we are already seeing that trend. All these capabilities will lead to more effective disease follow-ups. “I really look forward to the future of this monitoring part.” Qian recounted her early days in neuromonitoring, during which procedures involved opening the skull to place electrodes directly on the brain, a highly invasive process. “Today, we are moving from invasive methods to non-invasive monitoring. Technology is really changing the lifestyles of patients.” For patients like Saleha, the shift represents a quieter but fundamental change in care, one that is less disruptive, more continuous and increasingly able to follow her beyond the hospital. Over time, this could mean fewer hospital visits and more consistent monitoring of her condition. The question of trust Despite the benefits, Saleha finds herself hesitating. Can a machine really be trusted with something as critical as her health? As AI becomes more embedded in healthcare, trust remains one of the biggest barriers to adoption. Qian said trust is built in layers, beginning with the developers, who must ensure the systems are reliable, safe and designed to function at the right moments. “It then extends to healthcare professionals like doctors and nurses, who validate and use these tools in real-world settings.” But for patients like Saleha, trust often comes down to a conversation. “Nurses play a key role because they interact with patients every day. They know how to explain complex systems in a way patients can understand,” Qian said, adding that with the right guidance, hesitation can gradually turn into acceptance. A future closer to home For now, Saleha’s experience may still feel ahead of its time in many parts of Southeast Asia, but that is beginning to change. Qian emphasised that with ageing populations and limited healthcare resources, the need for digital solutions is becoming more urgent across the region. “Efforts are already underway to explore integrated, AI-driven healthcare networks that could connect hospitals, streamline data sharing and reduce costs.” However, she cautioned that such systems must be carefully planned. “If the infrastructure is not designed

properly from the start, a lot of investment can be lost,” she said. Hospital that is already thinking ahead For Saleha, the hospital experience no longer begins with paperwork or waiting rooms – her data has been collected, visualised and shared across systems in real time. Behind this seamless flow is a shift in how modern hospitals are being designed. theSun also spoke to Philips Asia Pacific Hospital and Ambulatory Monitoring head Sharad Jhingan, who said at the system level, the focus is no longer just on collecting more data, but on turning it into meaningful insights faster and more accurately. AI will make clinical staff more efficient, it will not substitute humans no matter how advanced technology becomes.” “

Dr Cheng Chee Leong of the Singapore General Hospital explaining advances in pathology solutions. – PIC COURTESY OF PHILIPS

Shift towards efficiency, not staff replacement Sharad believes AI will continue to expand in healthcare, not in a way that replaces human expertise but instead to support them. “AI will make clinical staff more efficient. It will not substitute humans. No matter how advanced technology becomes, there will always be expertise and years of knowledge that cannot be replaced.” At the same time, hospitals are expected to become more connected, with increasing use of sensors and real-time data systems that allow continuous monitoring. This shift also opens the door to more flexible care models, including virtual consultations and remote monitoring, reducing the need for patients to be physically present in hospitals for certain conditions. “Virtual care models will increase, and care at home will become more common,” he said, adding that in the long run, this could also help reduce healthcare costs while improving accessibility. As Saleha prepares to leave the hospital, her condition continues to be tracked and monitored in real time. Instead of long hospital stays, care is becoming something that follows her home.

“Today, there are a lot more data generated from these devices, and the question is how do you visualise that data to get better decisions. “One of the key developments is the rise of clinical decision support systems, tools designed to help doctors and nurses interpret information more effectively.” Connecting systems, not just devices In Saleha’s case, every reading from such devices does not exist in isolation. It is part of a larger hospital ecosystem in which systems are increasingly interconnected. “Interoperability is really about connecting to hospital information systems and other devices, so that all information is integrated into one secure platform,” Sharad explained. Instead of manual entry, patient data can now flow automatically into electronic medical records, reducing delays and human error while saving time for clinical staff. In some cases, hospitals are already measuring the impact of these changes in terms of efficiency, particularly in how much administrative time can be saved.

Visitors being briefed on advanced imaging facilities during a guided tour at the Singapore General Hospital MRI Training Centre. – PIC COURTESY OF PHILIPS