'For good technology investments, benefits and cost-efficiencies outweigh cost factors overtime'

Recent innovations in the industry are, demonstrably, supporting hospitals and healthcare workers in planning for safer and more efficient use of their resources, while minimising waste. Better still, these systems can even help prevent the spread of viruses in hospitals where frontline workers are at great risk. With the increasing concerns around the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, BioSpectrum Asia spoke to healthcare expert, Dirk Dumortier, Head of Business Development Smart-City and Healthcare (Asia Pacific), Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE), Singapore on prospects and gateways towards progressive healthcare system for Asia-Pacific regions. Edited excerpts;

- Hithaishi C Bhaskar

Dirk Dumortier, Head of Business Development Smart-City and Healthcare (Asia Pacific), Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, Singapore

Could you brief South East Asia’s healthcare exigency and enduring strategies to build a resilient model?

The global pandemic has exerted considerable stress on our healthcare system and exposed fundamental challenges that need to be resolved urgently. In countries across Southeast Asia battling a resurgence of the COVID-19 virus spread, hospitals are grappling with a widespread shortage of medical resources and trained staff. Front-liners are faced with the herculean task of delivering patient care while managing administrative tasks.

Meanwhile, we also see countries like Singapore struggling with rising healthcare bills due to increased resource consumption, exacerbated by the pandemic and a rapidly ageing population.

It is crucial that healthcare organisations look immediately into enduring strategies to boost their resilience for the long fight ahead. Healthcare organisations must consider how they can digitalise and adopt technologies to cope with rising costs, better manage resources and create a more efficient and safer environment for patients and staff.

Only then, can we prevail in the battle of endurance against the pandemic, as well as be better equipped to weather future crises.

What are the common hurdles in introducing technology to the industry, and how can these be overcome?

The first hurdle to any technology investment decision is usually cost. Decision makers at healthcare organisations may also be concerned with longer-term requirements, such as IT and support teams, maintenance, and upkeep.