Speaking at GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore, Dr. Kenneth Tsang of IHH Healthcare
North Asia and Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong insists the healthcare community must
‘maintain the human touch that defines quality care’
‘Innovations should complement the doctor-patient relationship, rather than replace’ – Dr.
Tsang
For audiences forensically analysing the future trajectory of Asia’s increasingly digitalised
healthcare industry at GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore, it’s clear that the direction of
travel is accompanied by previously unimaginable potential.
It’s the potential to redefine the boundaries of human wellbeing and unlock a new era where
healthcare proactively elevates quality of life for all as technology and humanity unite to deliver
personalised, predictive, and profoundly impactful care.
As published by McKinsey & Company, estimates show that digital health in Asia could
collectively create up to US$100 billion in value in 2025 – significantly greater than US$37 billion
in 2020. However, projections for the years ahead are even more eye-catching, illustrating the
immense possibilities awaiting a regional ecosystem at the digital transformation forefront.
According to Boston Consulting Group, Asia’s healthcare market could reach a whopping US$5
trillion by 2030, contributing 40% of global sector growth as demographic shifts, increased
investments, and innovative technology applications fuel unprecedented growth and
developments.
For Dr. Kenneth Tsang, Regional CEO of IHH Healthcare North Asia – one of the world’s largest
healthcare providers with over 80 hospitals across 10 countries – and CEO of Gleneagles
Hospital Hong Kong, these factors are certainly among the most relevant driving increased
industry development and value potential.
Empowering clinicians, Enhancing world-class patient care
Dr. Tsang was one of 330+ international expert speakers participating at GITEX ASIA x Ai
Everything Singapore – the region’s largest inaugural tech, startup, and digital investments
event – alongside 700+ enterprises and startups from 20+ industry sectors and 250+ global
investors.
Speaking as a special guest panellist during ‘GITEX Digi Health & Biotech Singapore’, the
exclusive co-located event unveiling Asia’s healthcare revolution, he discussed the factors
driving transformative tech-driven change across the industry.
“Demand-side pressures from Asia’s ageing population and rising chronic diseases requiring
scalable healthcare solutions are two factors, as are supportive environments, including the
ASEAN’s cross-border telemedicine frameworks, which are creating growth opportunities for
digital health development,” Dr. Tsang revealed.
“There’s also technology adoption acceleration. Smartphone penetration enables AI-powered
diagnostics and screening, and wearable health monitoring contributes greatly to enhanced
healthcare accessibility.”
Addressing GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore audiences at Marina Bay Sands, Dr.
Tsang elaborated further – revealing how IHH Healthcare is remaining ahead of the curve whilst
stressing the importance of ‘maintaining the human touch’ that defines quality care.
“At IHH Healthcare, we are leveraging this momentum through targeted investments in AI-driven
diagnostics and integrated care platforms across our operating markets,” he continued. “We also
build partnerships that combine our clinical expertise with cutting-edge digital solutions.
“Hong Kong is a great example. Here, we launched health vitals face scanning through mobile
phone cameras, simultaneously providing remote care services for chronic disease patients.
Crucially, these innovations complement rather than replace the doctor-patient relationship,
maintaining the human touch that defines quality care.”
Balancing innovation with integrity: A vision for responsible health tech
During a highly distinguished career spanning 25+ years, Dr. Tsang has become a Fellow of the
Hong Kong Academy of Medicine, Hong Kong College of Community Medicine, and The Royal
Australasian College of Medical Administrators, as well as an Honorary Clinical Associate
Professor of LKS Faculty of Medicine of The University of Hong Kong.
Given his extensive experience and expertise, few are more qualified to provide insights and
information surrounding the rapid reforms currently reshaping the digital health landscape –
including AI.
Already, the International Data Corporation (IDC) has projected Asia-Pacific (APAC) AI and
GenAI investments could reach US$110 billion by 2028 as organisations across industries
embrace its potential and attempt to harness associated benefits.
But with the rise of AI-driven diagnostics, Dr. Tsang emphasised the need for healthcare
companies to proactively balance technological innovation with ethical considerations and
patient safety.
“Most AI models are still ‘Black box’, meaning the rationale behind algorithms is unknown,” he
explained. “This poses significant obstacles in the utilisation, adoption, and integration of AI in
healthcare.
“Health tech companies should take a more proactive step in the development of explainable AI
models, which provide interpretable output for humans and empower clinicians to make
sophisticated AI-assisted clinical decisions.
Elaborating further, Dr. Tsang emphasised a viewpoint held by many regionally and globally: that
the healthcare industry should always be “person-centred”.
“While healthcare services often benefit from protocolised decision-making processes and
standard care pathways, healthcare has been – and should always be – person-centred,” he
stressed. “AI-driven diagnostics, which undoubtedly enable precision medicine and improve our
service quality, would produce much-depreciated values if humanistic elements are not factored
in.
“Tech companies should therefore always consider the "co-pilot" concept to involve stakeholders
in the development, implementation, and review of AI models.”
Fuelling the future of healthcare innovation
Dr. Tsang also spoke of GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything Singapore in glowing terms alongside all
things surrounding Asia’s healthcare revolution.
“I am pleased to be part of this debut event in Singapore to exchange and engage with global
leaders and representatives in related fields,” he added. “GITEX ASIA x Ai Everything
Singapore fosters cross-pollination of ideas and brings together diverse perspectives on
healthcare innovation, ranging from cutting-edge technologies and treatments to healthcare
system enablers such as value-based care, cybersecurity, and digital health investment.
“With clinical innovators, unicorn founders, tech leaders, and digital health policymakers together
under one roof, this diversity fuels exciting discussions on the future of healthcare across
regions.”