The Health October 2020 | Page 15

| Health Technology | october , 2020 | The Health

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Challenges in healthcare innovation

The use of applications in the healthcare system is proof of growing innovation initiatives .
However , such initiatives must be continuous . According to the Ministry of Defence ’ s ( MinDef ) Colonel Dr Mohd Arshil Moideen , there are a few stumbling blocks in innovative efforts that need to be addressed .
These include the absence of inclusive participation in running innovation projects , zero incentive system for commercialisation of any intellectual property development , inflexibility in healthcare policy and practice and finally , the lack of dedicated funding .
“ The solution to this is creating an environment for inclusive participation , creating an official incentive system and having an innovative approach guided by the domains of quality ; efficiency , sustainability , effectiveness , equity , patient experience , safety and timeliness .
Currently , the innovations in Malaysia are progressing , but as Dr Arshil said : “ Malaysia is pretty slow . In terms of funding , it is very centred to some selected institutions . The coverage is very minimal .”
When Covid-19 appeared , there were a few disruptions and challenges . As such , 70 per cent of the average number of elective producers cancelled during the second quarter of plummeting income .
Twenty to 75 per cent of provider layoffs occurred amid hospital and health system-wide disruption , reassignments and pay cuts , and 81 per cent of patients are dissatisfied with their current healthcare experience .
Clinical Research , National Institutes of Health ( NIH ), Dr Kalaiarasu M . Peariasamy said Covid-19 has brought innovation in healthcare to the forefront .
He said : “ There are AI applications for diagnostics from the use of x-ray , CT scan , facial recognition , voice recognition and many other AI used to help in diagnosis . Several demands also challenge us , and at the same time , we found that there is a need to consider the use of 3D printing in ventilators and in the use of similar technology to facilitate breathing devices .
“ The government , through the Ministry of Health ( MoH ), came out with an essential app called MySejahtera , which is used for contact tracing . It embodies the involvement of the National Security Council ( NSC ) as well as the Malaysian Administrative Modernization and Management Planning Unit ( MAMPU ).
As of August 2020 , there were a total of 12,854,243 active users . The application helps to improve surveillance and decision during the Covid-19 pandemic .
Development of digital technologies
“ Whether we like it or not , technology is taking over and what we need to do is
to be able to respond to these changes in the most efficient way leveraging on digital technologies ,” said the National Technology Officer of Microsoft , Dr Dzahar Mansor .
There are several digital health technologies lined up in the fight against Covid-19 . These include augmented reality , tele machine , health sensors , medical drones , 3D printing and even thermal imaging .
According to the Technical Business Consultant of IME Group of Companies , Yew Kian Seng , 3-D printing has been around for quite a while , but the technology is not matured yet in Malaysia . Thermal imaging is another form of innovation where it measures an accurate temperature measurement from a distance up to three metres .
Yew said : “ We were asked to help . So , we help them to deploy thermal imaging with high technology where it can capture the face and identity , which will be given a name . Afterwards , it will be converted into a data report as storage complying to the government ’ s requirements .
The implementation of new technologies showed significant resistance . As
While we see tremendous opportunities in these areas , we still require on-going research to monitor outcomes especially centric to the patient .” – Minister of Health , Datuk Sri Dr Adham Baba
the battle against Covid-19 continues , more of the Gen-Y and Gen-Z doctors came into practice and service , said the Chief Executive Officer of HeiTech Managed Services , Abdul Halim Md Lassim .
When it comes to the advancement of technologies , some may say it is costcentred , but Abdul Halim said : “ It is not a sin to over invest in technology .”
Digital Health Cluster is one of the initiatives carried out by CREST , spearheading affordable , accessible healthcare innovations . It aims to initiate a strategic collaboration to innovate digital healthcare solutions . On top of that , it encourages the use of AIDA to improve efficiency and productivity . The initiative also fosters a vibrant innovation culture and competent talents .
According to the Chief Executive Officer of CREST , Jaffri Ibrahim , CREST has done several collaborative partnerships in nurturing a much conducive healthcare ecosystem . The coalition comprises MoU on Digital Healthcare , R & D Project Briefing , Digital Healthcare Cluster Day , Research and Innovation course , 3D Printing Taskforce , and 5G Internet of Medical Things .
In Malaysia , the drive on innovation must come from the top . The division Secretary from Strategic Technology and S & T Application Division , Ministry of Science , Technology & Innovation ( MOSTI ), Nordina Idris believes the government holds the responsibility to set a direction for the community . For another panellist in the session , Prof Dr Ogan Gurel , a distinguished Invited Professor , Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology ( DGIST ), South Korea , there is a need to strike a balance between technology transfer and national innovation . — The Health