Singapore to Train AI Models on Local Clinical Data, Starting with Diabetes
Source: CNA
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced plans to train AI models on Singaporean clinical data and medical guidelines, starting with diabetes and eye disease diagnosis. The initiative aims to improve accuracy for Singapore multi-ethnic population over imported models.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that Singapore will train AI models using local clinical data and medical guidelines, a move that aims to deliver more accurate diagnoses by grounding AI systems in Singapore-specific patient populations and treatment protocols rather than relying on overseas data.
The models will first focus on conditions such as diabetes and eye diseases, before being rolled out across the healthcare system. Ong was speaking at an event where IT services firm NCS unveiled a range of AI partnerships and tools. The approach addresses a long-standing concern in medical AI: models trained on predominantly Western populations often perform less accurately on Asian patients due to differences in genetics, diet, and disease prevalence.
By training on local clinical data, Singapore hopes to build diagnostic tools that reflect its population actual health profile. The Ministry of Health has been exploring AI applications across the healthcare sector, from radiology support to administrative automation, and this initiative represents a significant step toward integrating AI into clinical workflows under regulatory supervision.
The announcement aligns with broader efforts by Singapore health tech ecosystem to move AI from pilot projects into routine care. NCS, the Singtel-owned tech services firm, has been a key partner in building the digital infrastructure needed to support these initiatives, including secure data-sharing platforms and AI model deployment pipelines.
Why it matters for Singapore: Training AI on local clinical data rather than imported models could significantly improve diagnostic accuracy for Singapore multi-ethnic population. The initiative also positions Singapore as a testbed for regulated medical AI deployment, potentially creating a template that other Asian healthcare systems could follow. For patients, the promise is faster, more accurate diagnosis starting with conditions that affect millions of Singaporeans.