Health tech is becoming increasingly crucial in Singapore as the population ages and the pool of healthcare workers shrinks. Singapore will need an estimated 30,000 more healthcare workers until 2020. By the same year, there will be 610,000 people above the age of 65, according to the government.
Driven by the ageing population, an estimated 1,200 jobs will open up in health-related tech over the next three years. “If we can innovate new solutions to tackle our healthcare challenges, we can provide better care for our people,” Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information and Health Chee Hong Tat noted at the recent Health Tech Day event on 16 March.
As part of efforts to develop infocomm technology (ICT) capabilities in the healthcare sector, SMU is launching a degree in Health Economics and Management. Graduates will be “well-versed in tech skills such as data analytics, which will play an increasing role in the healthcare sector”, said Mr Chee.