24-Feb-16 Siemens has released a new report based on research with healthcare providers across 13 countries including India, China, Poland, Russia and Turkey, which revealed four common pressures: demographic change; shifting patient expectations; requirement to reform; and the rising tide of healthcare technology. Digitalisation and smart financing have been recognised as the ultimate remedy for the increasing pressures on healthcare. [image: SFS]

22-Feb-16 The healthcare sector is expected to invest VND1.8 tn (USD81 mn) in IT in 2016-20, according to a plan approved by the Ministry of Health. There will be 33 IT projects in the next five years, including building a database on human resources, constructing infrastructure for the ministry’s data center, and developing an integrated information system for the ministry’s leadership. [image: Le Toan / Vietnam Investment Review]

18-Feb-16 The Philippines’ oldest conglomerate Ayala Corp plans to expand its investments in the healthcare sector with the roll out of 100 retail clinics under the brand-name FamilyDoc over the next three years. So far, it has two FamilyDoc clinics located in Las Piñas and Imus, Cavite. The clinics will house a pharmacy, a diagnostic center, and physicians to handle consultations. [image: Retail News Asia]

17-Feb-16 The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia has granted Abbott approval for its new glucose monitoring system, FreeStyle Libre. The technology removes the need for finger pricks and monitors glucose levels through a device worn on the back of the arm and secured by an adhesive pad. A handheld reader is scanned over the sensor to get a glucose result. [image: Abbott]

12-Feb-16 Foreigners will be allowed to own a majority of up to 67% of businesses in Indonesia's healthcare sector, as part of sweeping reforms to liberalise its economy. Sectors ranging from fishery to retail - 49 in all - will be affected, with non-citizens able to take up 100% holdings in pharmaceutical raw material manufacturing firms. [image: AFP]