Conference Day 2: Friday, 14 July 2023

Registration | Welcome Coffee & Tea

Time: 8.00am

Venue: Level 4 & 5 

Insights and Key Takeaways from the Leadership Forum on Progressing Precision Health for Asia

Time: 8.30am

Venue: Level 2, Hall 2

Plenary: Precision Public Health in 2040

Time: 9.00am

Venue: Level 4 & 5, Auditorium

Precision Public Health is at an inflection point where digital health, big data, precision medicine and population health have made significant progress over the past decade and have strongly demonstrated the potential to progress us collectively to better health for all. In this plenary, we will have four powerful health sector leaders share with us their vision and thought leadership for how Precision Public Health’s trajectory will pan out into the next decade and positively impact the health of our populations.

Speakers:

  • Prof TAN Chorh Chuan, Chief Health Scientist, Ministry of Health, Singapore; Executive Director, MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation
     
  • Ms Katherine CHOU, Senior Director of Research & Innovations, Google
 
  • Dr Tarun WEERAMANTHRI, President, Public Health Association of Australia; Governing Council, World Federation of Public Health Associations; Adjunct Professor, School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia
 
  • Dr GOH Choo BengHead of Medical Affairs, India and South East Asia, Takeda Pharmaceuticals (Asia Pacific)

Moderator:

  • Dr LEI Hsien-Hsien, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), The American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Singapore

Coffee Break

Time: 10.30am

Venue: Level 2, Marketplace & Level 4, Kampung Square

Plenary: Responsible Data Sharing as a Key Enabler for Precision Public Health

Time: 11.00am

Venue: Level 4 & 5, Auditorium

Featuring expert speakers from Asia, Europe and the United Kingdom, this plenary will highlight the current and future trends for safe and responsible data sharing practices at the national and regional level, and how that will improve health outcomes and create new knowledge and insights about population health.

Speakers:

  • Prof David FORD, Professor of Informatics, Population Data Science Research & Innovation Institute, Swansea University Medical School; Chair of UK-Medical Research Council’s Data Science Strategic Advisory Group
 
  • Ms KOH Mingshi, Director, Chief Health Scientist Office, Ministry of Health, Singapore
 
  • Prof Henrique MARTINS, Senior Consultant, Digital Health and Innovation, WHO Athens Quality of Care and Patient Safety Office; Senior Consultant, Regional Action Plan on Digital Health, WHO Western Pacific Region
 
  • Dr Clive TAN, Member, Precision Public Health Asia Society

Moderator:

  • Dr Clive TANMember, Precision Public Health Asia Society

Lunch Symposium: Needle in a Haystack: Rare Disease Screening in Singapore

Time: 12.30pm

Venue: Level 2, Hall 3

The objective of this lunch symposium is to raise awareness of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and discuss the current landscape of Newborn Screening (NBS) in Singapore. Learning from Australia pilot programme in SMA NBS, we would like to create a platform for the various stakeholders to discuss on the clinical value of implementing SMA NBS into population health screening.

SMA landscape and clinical diagnosis: Walking with SMA patients

  • Assoc Prof Stacey Tay, Senior Consultant, Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat – National University Children’s Medical Institute, National University Hospital

Importance of NBS for rare diseases – current landscape and challenges in Singapore

  • Assoc Prof TAN Ee Shien, Head, SingHealth Duke-NUS Genomic Medicine Centre; Head and Senior Consultant, Genetic Services, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital

Learning from the SMA NBS Australia Pilot Programme

  • Dr Didu Kariyawasam, Pediatric Neurologist, Sydney Children’s Hospital (Randwick), Australia; Associate Lecturer, University of New South Wales, Australia

Moderator:

  • Assoc Prof WEE Hwee LinAssociate Professor, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore

Breakout Sessions

Time: 2.00pm

Stream 1

Session 6: Precision Public Health: From Strategy to Implementation

Venue: Level 4 & 5, Auditorium

Precision Public Health (PPH) leverages digital technology and multi-disciplines such as behavioural sciences, data science, epidemiology, and public health. Advancing PPH from conceptualisation to implementation at scale requires enablers such as policy and structural support to bring about “bold changes” to deliver more tailored, relevant services to the “right people at the right time”. In this session, speakers will touch on their PPH experiences in particular, in Brunei and Singapore. Experiences from the conceptualisation and deployment of upstream PPH innovations to benefit the targeted population in the area of maternal health will also be shared.

Speakers: 

  • Mr CHUA Ming Jie, Chief Executive Officer, EVYD Technology
  • Mr Amrish NAIR, Co-founder & CEO, Biorithm
  • Mr TAY Choon Hong, Chief Executive, Health Promotion Board (HPB)
  • Mr Rudy bin Haji Harun, Director of Healthcare Technology Department, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam

Moderator: 

  • Dr Karen CHEONG, Director, Research, Evaluation and Monitoring Division, Health Promotion Board (HPB)

Stream 2

Session 7: Precision Public Health at Scale – Navigating the Path from Innovation to Adoption and Deployment at Scale to Improve Population Health

Venue: Level 2, Hall 1

It has been estimated that genetic factors account for 30% of the health-disease balance. However, genetic information is poorly captured as part of population health strategies. Novel technologies have enabled genetic information to be generated at scale but there remain barriers to widespread deployment and clinical adoption. To efficaciously bring precision medicine to public health, one must consider the needs of multiple stakeholders and design interventions that address these needs.

Speakers: 

  • Prof David MATCHAR, Professor,
    Programme in Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School; Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine) and Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
  • Dr Ashna NASTAR, Theme Lead for Familial Hypercholesterolemia Clinical Implementation Pilot
  • Dr Astrid IRWANTO, Chief Operating Officer, Nalagenetics Pte Ltd (SG), PT Nalagenetik Riset Indonesia
  • Prof TAI E Shyong, Chief Medical Officer, Precision Health Research, Singapore (PRECISE)

Moderator: 

  • Dr Jonathan TAN, Head of Market Access, Emerging
    Markets Region, GSK

Stream 3

Session 8: Financing Precision Population Health Management

Venue: Level 2, Hall 2

Historically, financing of public health has been largely seen as the remit of the government because interventions need to be done on a large scale and individual-level impact is difficult to track. However, the advent of precision public health, which enables prevention to be carried out in a much more targeted manner, creates the potential for non-government payers to play a larger role in financing public health.

This session aims to bring together industry, private payers, public payers and academics to discuss how precision public health interventions are being financed today, what are possible gaps in financing, and the role of different parties (public payers, private payers, individuals) in enabling precision public health interventions to enter mainstream adoption.

Speakers: 

  • Dr Eduardo P. BANZON, Principal Health Specialist, Southeast Asia Regional Department (SERD), Asian Development Bank (ADB)
  • Dr Axel BAUR, Chief Executive Officer, Amplify Health
  • Dr Daphne KHOO, Deputy Director-General of Health (Healthcare Performance Group); Executive Director, Agency for Care Effectiveness, MOH Singapore
  • Dr ZHOU Lihan, Executive
    Director, Co-founder and
    CEO, MiRXES

Moderator: 

  • Dr Alan ONG, Principal, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Coffee Break

Time: 3.30pm

Venue: Level 2, Marketplace & Level 4, Kampung Square

Breakout Sessions

Time: 4.00pm

Stream 1

Session 9: Digital Leapfrog to Enable Access to Underserved Populations and Improve Health Equity

Venue: Level 4 & 5, Auditorium

Digital health is seen as an accelerator of health system strengthening, evident by WHO’s global strategy for digital health to improve health for everyone everywhere. A silver lining of the pandemic has been the growth in digital tools, with companies reporting an acceleration in the adoption of digital technology over several years. Digital technologies have tremendous potential not only to improve countries’ responses to infectious-disease threats but also to strengthen primary healthcare. Digital technology has the potential to help reach unserved populations to leapfrog and get access to high-quality care.

Speakers: 

  • Mr Edward BOOTY, Chief Executive Officer, reach52
  • Mr Steven HARSONO, Principal and Head of Public Health, IQVIA Asia Pacific
  • Ms Yvonne YAP, APAC Digital
    Insights Business Lead, Roche
    Diagnostics
  • Mr Jayraj NAIR, Customer Experience Lead (ASEAN), Zoom

Moderator: 

  • Dr Eduardo P. BANZON, Principal Health Specialist, Southeast Asia Regional Department (SERD), Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Stream 2

Session 10: Big Data and Advanced Analytics – Applications and Ethics

Venue: Level 2, Hall 1

In this session on applications and ethics of big data and advanced analytics, the speakers will provide valuable insights into the European eHealth Digital Services Infrastructure (eHDSI) initiative, the potential of syndromic facial recognition in healthcare, the use of AI in newborn anthropometry to provide access to health services in underserved communities, and the ethical implications of leveraging big data for health.

The importance of securely exchanging health data across borders and the challenges that arise in ensuring privacy and data protection will be discussed. The potential of advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms in analysing new born anthropometry, facial features and patterns to assist in early diagnosis and personalised treatment will be highlighted. The importance of considering ethics upfront as we develop all these amazing technologies will be emphasised, so as to safeguard patient rights and promote trust among stakeholders.

Speakers:

  • Prof Henrique MARTINS, Senior Consultant, Digital Health and Innovation, WHO Athens Quality of Care and Patient Safety Office; Senior Consultant, Regional Action Plan on Digital Health, WHO Western Pacific Region
  • Dr Smedinga MARTHE, Research Fellow, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore
  • Dr Richard PALMER, Research Associate, Curtin University
  • Dr Makarand TAPASWI, Senior Machine Learning Scientist, Wadhwani AI; Assistant Professor, IIIT Hyderabad, India

Moderator: 

  • Dr Dhesi RAJA, Vice Chair, HIMSS Asia Pacific; Advisor, Mitsubishi Global Health Architecture

Stream 3

Session 11: The Next Step in Precision Medicine and Population Genomics for Rare Diseases

Venue: Level 2, Hall 2

Genetic diseases present unique challenges for health professionals and health systems due to their low prevalence and high complexity. This session will provide practical insights into running national rare disease programmes. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from experts who have successfully implemented such programmes, gaining valuable knowledge about the key components and best practices involved. Topics covered will include insights into strategies for coordinating care, streamlining operational processes, and optimising patient outcomes; challenges and potential solutions related to ensuring equitable access to genetic testing and treatment for individuals with rare diseases and explore the role of patient advocacy in influencing policy decisions and driving innovation to improve affordability and availability of these crucial services.

Speakers: 

  • Dr TAN Ee Shien, Head Genetic Services, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital; Head, SingHealth Duke-NUS Genomic Medicine Centre
  • Mr Kenneth MAH, Chief
    Rare Disease Advocate, Rare Disorders Society (Singapore)
  • Dr Christian GILISSEN, Professor, Genome Bioinformatic, Radboud University Medical Center

Moderator: 

  • Dr Xavier CHAN, Executive Vice President, Strategy, Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA)

End of Conference Day 2

Time: 5.30pm

The programme is updated as of 06 JULY 2023, and subject to change.

Dr Tarun Weeranmanthri

President of the Public Health Association of Australi
Edward is the founder and CEO of reach52; a tech startup on a mission to connect the 52% of the world that lack access to essential health services.

Hear them speak at:

Welcome Address by Dr Clive Tan, Organising Chair, Precision Public Health Asia 2023 Conference

  • Opening Address by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore

Welcome Address by Dr Clive Tan, Organising Chair, Precision Public Health Asia 2023 Conference

  • Opening Address by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore

Welcome Address by Dr Clive Tan, Organising Chair, Precision Public Health Asia 2023 Conference

  • Opening Address by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore

Mr James Park

Fitbit vice president, co-founder of Fitbit

Bio

James Park is Fitbit vice president and general manager, Google, as well as co-founder of Fitbit. In his role, James leads the team responsible for development of wearables at Google. With a commitment to innovation, James and his team aim to make health more accessible, fun and achievable by offering a range of affordable, cross-platform devices.

James co-founded Fitbit alongside Eric Friedman in 2007 with a vision to make the world healthier, through hardware, software and services that give people a better understanding of their health and wellness. Since its founding, Fitbit has sold millions of devices across 100 countries, pioneering the wearables industry to make fitness tracking a cultural phenomenon and redefining how the world thinks and learns about health and wellness.

Previously, James was director of product development at CNET Networks. He also served as president and co-founder of Wind-Up Labs, Inc., an online photo-sharing company that was acquired by CNET Networks in 2005, and chief technology officer and co-founder of Epesi Technologies, Inc., a business-to-business software company. 

Prof Rohini MATHUR

Professor and Chair of Health Data Science at Queen Mary University of London

Bio

Rohini Mathur is a Professor and Chair of Health Data Science at Queen Mary University of London, specialising in the application of precision medicine approaches in globally diverse datasets to address health inequalities, particularly around cardiometabolic disease. Professor Mathur has active collaborations with colleagues across India, Singapore and Thailand. She was previously Associate Professor at LSHTM, where she completed a postdoctoral fellowship funded by the Wellcome Trust examining ethnic inequalities in the care and outcomes of type 2 diabetes, and was a member of the OpenSAFELY collaborative working on a range of COVID-19 related projects. She completed an undergraduate degree in public health at the University of Waterloo in Canada, followed by an MSc and PhD at LSHTM.

Dr Andrew Trister

Assistant Secretary of the Public Health Services Team of the Department of Health
Edward is the founder and CEO of reach52; a tech startup on a mission to connect the 52% of the world that lack access to essential health services.

Hear them speak at:

Welcome Address by Dr Clive Tan, Organising Chair, Precision Public Health Asia 2023 Conference

  • Opening Address by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore

Welcome Address by Dr Clive Tan, Organising Chair, Precision Public Health Asia 2023 Conference

  • Opening Address by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore

Welcome Address by Dr Clive Tan, Organising Chair, Precision Public Health Asia 2023 Conference

  • Opening Address by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Singapore

Dr Beverly Ho

Assistant Secretary of the Public Health Services Team of the Department of Health

Bio

Beverly Lorraine Ho is the Assistant Secretary of the Public Health Services Team of the Department of Health. As Assistant Secretary of PHST, she leads the development, implementation, and monitoring of standards, policies, and programs for population- and individual-based health services. She also oversees the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, Epidemiology Bureau, and Health Promotion Bureau.

Prior to this, she was the Health Promotion Bureau Director, which leads the implementation of policies and programs that promote healthy behaviors and support conducive environments for health and the Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, which leads the primary care integration of various health programs. She previously served as the Chief of the Research Division of the Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, where her efforts significantly contributed to the passage of key legislation on sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, tobacco taxes, and universal health care. She has also worked for the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and the Asian Development Bank.

Bev is a fellow of the Maurice Greenberg World Fellows Program at Yale University, the Equity Initiative, and the Atlantic Institute. She holds an MD from the University of the Philippines and an MPH in Health Policy and Management from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as a Fulbright Scholar

Prof TAN Chorh Chuan

Chief Health Scientist, Ministry of Health, Singapore Executive Director, MOH Office for Healthcare Transformation

Bio

Professor Tan Chorh Chuan was appointed as the inaugural Chief Health Scientist and concurrently, Executive Director of the new Office for Healthcare Transformation in Singapore’s Ministry of Health since 1 January 2018.

Before joining MOHT Professor Tan served as President of the National University of Singapore (NUS) from 2008 to 2017. Prior to that he also held the positions of NUS Provost, then Senior Deputy President between the years of 2004 and 2008. He was former Dean of the NUS Faculty of Medicine and served as the Director of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, from 2000 to 2004, where he was responsible for leading the public health response to the 2003 SARS epidemic. More recently, he was appointed member of the Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination in 2020, which advises the government on Singapore’s vaccination strategy.

In 2022, Professor Tan was were conferred The Distinguished Service Order. His other awards include the Public Service Star in 2003 for outstanding contributions to overcoming SARS in Singapore; the Public Administration Gold Medal in 2004 for his work as Director of Medical Services in the Ministry of Health; and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2015. He was awarded the National Science and Technology Medal in 2008 and is the first Singaporean to be elected as an international member of the US National Academy of Medicine.

A renal physician, Professor Tan obtained his medical training at NUS, and research training at the Institute of Molecular Medicine, Oxford.