Singapore Develops AI Foundation Models to Strengthen Public Healthcare, Focusing on Cardiovascular and Eye Diseases

Singapore — Singapore is advancing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare by developing locally trained medical foundation models designed to improve clinical decision-making and address the country's growing burden of chronic diseases.

Speaking on Thursday, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that Singapore is adapting AI foundation models to meet local healthcare needs through the Singapore Medical Foundation Model Initiative (SIMFONI). The initiative initially focuses on cardiovascular diseases and eye diseases, with plans to integrate AI tools into the nation's electronic health record (EHR) system.

AI Tailored to Singapore's Healthcare Needs

According to the Consortium for Clinical Research and Innovation, Singapore (CRIS), which leads the initiative, Singapore's healthcare system is facing increasing pressure from an aging population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and shortages in the clinical workforce.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the country's most significant chronic health burdens, while eye diseases continue to be a major cause of vision impairment, particularly among older adults.

The initiative aims to address a key limitation of existing healthcare AI models, many of which have been trained primarily using data from Western populations. This can reduce their accuracy and clinical relevance when applied to Singapore's diverse Asian population.

By training AI models using local clinical data, medical practices, and healthcare guidelines, Singapore seeks to improve the precision and effectiveness of AI-assisted healthcare.

Supporting Clinical Decision-Making

Launched in 2025, the Singapore Medical Foundation Model Initiative (SIMFONI) focuses on developing AI-powered clinical decision support tools for primary healthcare.

The cardiovascular component will support the management of chronic conditions including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)

In parallel, the initiative is developing multimodal AI models to enhance the diagnosis and management of common eye diseases, including:

• Cataracts
• Retinal diseases
• Glaucoma

Integrating AI into National Healthcare

Singapore plans to integrate these AI foundation models into its national electronic health record system, enabling healthcare professionals to access AI-assisted clinical insights during routine patient care.

Officials believe the initiative will help improve diagnostic accuracy, support earlier disease detection, optimize chronic disease management, and reduce the workload of healthcare professionals while maintaining high standards of patient care.

The project reflects Singapore's broader strategy of leveraging artificial intelligence to build a more resilient, data-driven healthcare system capable of meeting the challenges posed by an aging population and the growing demand for healthcare services.

 

Source :  Xinhua Thai News