Synapxe with support from the Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) ministry launched on 18 September a new Innovation Lab dubbed “Terrarium,” which also marked the official opening of the national HealthTech agency’s new location at Elementum in One-North.
Terrarium will facilitate the development of new and innovative healthtech solutions and platforms to serve our nation’s healthcare needs, and improve the lives of millions every day, everywhere.
Industry partners and innovators will now have a dedicated and safe space to ideate, experiment and connect with the public healthcare ecosystem, right in the precinct of Singapore’s high tech and R&D clusters.
From calls-for-innovations to pitching sessions and new technology showcases, Terrarium is the latest addition to Synapxe’s HealthX eco-system of enablers, making it easier for companies to pursue solutions for Singapore’s public health sector.
Ngiam Siew Ying, CEO of Synapxe, said that with the launch of Synapxe just over a year ago, they have made good progress in continuing to tech-enable our healthcare system.
A key milestone for Synapxe was completing the roll-out of the Next Generation Electronic Medical Record (NGEMR) in both the National Healthcare Group (NHG) and National University Health System (NUHS) clusters last July.
“A patient can now enjoy a more seamless experience between the two healthcare clusters, with connected care and data,” she said. “This has become more than a health IT project. It is a key enabler for healthcare transformation.”
To achieve better healthcare outcomes, Synapxe collaborates with many local-based partners to drive new innovations. One focus area is on ‘premises-neutral’ care.
This means that the technology or application has potential to be used in public healthcare settings, in a patient’s own home and in the community, empowering patients and caregivers.
One project showcased at the launch of Terrarium demonstrates how Synapxe collaborates with local startups to achieve this aim. The portable SoundEye Lasso Fall Detection is a contactless mobile device that detects and prevent falls.
This prototype was piloted at Singapore Christian Home (SCH) to monitor residents in beds and wheelchairs. It is a product of Synapxe’s HealthX journey, delivering a prototype within three months.
After a successful trial at SCH, the product is now being further developed for use in hospital settings. As a non-invasive monitoring technological solution, it can help improve the quality of life of ageing patients in the care system.
AI has also unlocked new innovation possibilities. Examples of AI technology showcased at Terrarium include Visual Pillbox, a collaboration between Synapxe and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), a member of the National Healthcare Group.
It leverages generative AI technology to generate a customised medication intake scheduler, enhancing patient education and adherence. This is especially helpful for patients and their caregivers with complex medication regimes to manage their medications.
Health Kaki is another initiative that uses generative AI to create personalised and actionable recommendations based on health goals discussed with family doctors during their HealthierSG consultations.
Co-developed by the MOH, Health Promotion Board (HPB), Temus, Amazon Web Services and Synapxe, this prototype allows residents to interact digitally with the app to refine and personalise their lifestyle prescription action plans starting with diet and exercise.
