As featured on BusinessMirror: Achieving acceptance: Effective strategies for MedTech integration in Southeast Asia
Medical Technology (MedTech) is helping improve service delivery and addressing growing patient demand in healthcare. In Southeast Asia (SEA), successful workflow automation in hospitals alone could save up to 10 million man-hours and US$81 million.
Yet, only 49 percent of healthcare organizations in the region have implemented MedTech solutions, despite 65-90 percent of industry leaders recognizing their importance in enhancing patient outcomes, saving healthcare professionals‘ time and enabling them to perform at their highest skill level.
MedTech stakeholders in SEA need to make these technologies relevant to local clinical practices by addressing challenges related to preference, performance and practice, while optimizing resource use. Achieving this balance requires collaborative efforts among all stakeholders, notably MedTech companies, hospital management teams and healthcare providers.
This shortfall in adoption is a significant missed opportunity to enhance efficiencies. These inefficiencies are linked to staff burnout, diminished patient interaction time, and increased risk of clinical errors, as noted by more than half of healthcare leaders.
The acceptance of MedTech solutions is significantly influenced by the level of trust and confidence healthcare professionals have in them. More than 60 percent of healthcare professionals express hesitation in adopting AI systems due to a lack of transparency and fear of data insecurity. Interestingly, a survey has shown that gastroenterologists with fewer than 10 years of clinical experience perceive a higher risk from these AI-powered medical tools than their colleagues with more than 10 years of experience. This could potentially be attributed to more experienced specialists having greater confidence in exercising clinical discretion when new technologies are introduced. This finding stands in contrast to the commonly held view that younger people are more accepting of technology than older. It also underscores the crucial role of building trust in MedTech solutions and confidence in their application to achieve widespread acceptance and successful implementation.
The introduction of MedTech in the current healthcare practice is complex — integrating with legacy systems and workflows, obtaining stakeholder support, activating multidisciplinary healthcare practices and addressing training gaps.
If an organization is not adequately prepared to integrate these innovations, system-wide acceptance of MedTech solutions is ultimately hindered.
A Philippine Perspective
In the Philippines, MedTech’s benefits are recognized and are being acted upon, with Makati City becoming the first city in the country to deploy a full 24/7 digital healthcare system, integrating telehealth, electronic medical records (EMRs), and virtual appointments across public and private facilities. In addition, we are now seeing technology starting to play a greater role in clinical processes, such as AI-assisted tuberculosis screenings and an increasing number of robotic surgeries accentuating this remarkable shift. Meanwhile, Philippine MedTech startups are gaining traction with AI-driven procurement tools, telemedicine platforms, and virtual clinic infrastructure to expand access across underserved areas.
These advancements highlight both the promise and the complexity of MedTech adoption within the Philippine context. While solutions are expanding, challenges around system interoperability, data governance, and stakeholder confidence continue to require careful oversight and coordinated implementation.
This approach reflects a broader shift within the sector. With steady investment across both public and private institutions, gradual improvements in digital capability, and emerging interest in applied healthcare technologies, the Philippines continues to build readiness for greater MedTech adoption. The direction of progress is promising, supported by local expertise and a growing culture of practical innovation. This excerpt was taken from the KPMG Thought Leadership publication “Achieving Acceptance: Effective strategies for MedTech integration in Southeast Asia”.
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This article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice to a specific issue or entity. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent KPMG International or R.G. Manabat & Co.