Prof Himanshu Rai at the Indian Institute of Management Indore, guides us through Asia’s health flutter, exploring if this is innovation or crisis
Asia has been strengthening its healthcare segment. Some of the world’s longest-living people walk the streets of Tokyo, and they say that the hospitals in Singapore run like Swiss watches. The country with the highest population, China, is betting big on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven medicine, hoping technology will solve its healthcare problems.
While many examples show how efficient Asia’s healthcare system is, the continent is also facing challenges. Cancer rates are surging, pollution is choking cities, and ageing populations threaten to push healthcare systems to their limits. Innovation is happening at breakneck speed – but is it enough to prevent a full-blown health crisis? Will Asia lead the way in innovation, or is it heading for disaster?
Japan
Japan has the world’s longest life expectancy. For men, the figure is 81.09 years, and for females, it is 87.14 years. However, by the year 2040, 40% of Japan’s population will be over the age of 65. That’s an economic and social time bomb. The population there wonders, who will take care of the elderly? Robots? Maybe. Because Japan is already using AI-driven caregivers and robotic exoskeletons to help its ageing workforce. Yes. A futuristic but unsettling reality.
Singapore
Then there’s Singapore – a country with such an advanced healthcare system that makes people responsible for their own health costs through mandatory savings. Smart? Yes. Perfect? Not quite. The rising costs of medical care in Singapore still put pressure on middle-class families. The Singapore Government increased subsidies to keep the system from becoming too expensive.
China
Likewise, China, a country with 95% health insurance coverage, has led by example. However, having insurance doesn’t always mean getting affordable treatment. Out-of-pocket costs for serious diseases like cancer can still bankrupt families. Meanwhile, China is pouring money into biotech and AI-powered diagnostics. While the country aims to become a global leader in healthcare innovation, will it be able to fix the humongous costs of healthcare?
Cancer and healthcare in Asia
In Asia, one of the major diseases is cancer, and it’s impossible to ignore. In 2008, Asia saw 6.1 million new cancer cases. By 2030, that number could hit 10.6 million. Pollution, smoking, lifestyle changes, and an ageing population would lead to a rise in figures. While countries like South Korea are pioneering new treatments – scientists there may have found a way to “switch off” cancer cells – most people in the region still struggle with early detection and treatment costs.
Meanwhile, India is emerging as a global leader in affordable healthcare and cutting-edge research. The country’s biotech industry is booming, and it now has world-class hospitals. With India’s government implementing ambitious public health programmes and schemes, India is proving that quality healthcare doesn’t have to come with a massive price tag.
Take cancer treatment, for example. While costs skyrocket worldwide, India has positioned itself as a hub for affordable, high-quality oncology care. Hospitals like Tata Memorial in Mumbai provide world-class cancer treatment at lower costs than in the West. Likewise, Indian pharmaceutical companies produce life-saving generic drugs, making expensive treatments accessible to millions. India is also pioneering in digital health, with telemedicine platforms connecting rural communities to top doctors, bridging healthcare gaps like never before. By 2047, India is bound to become a significant hub for Information Technology, Biotechnology & Renewable Energy.
Air pollution in Asia
Air pollution in Asia is also a rising concern. Nine out of ten people worldwide breathe polluted air; much of the worst pollution is in Asia. Governments are definitely implementing various green policies and executing schemes, and environmental protection is now included in the country’s budget. But will the action be fast enough? If Asia doesn’t clean up its air, lung diseases and early deaths will continue to skyrocket.
A healthier, longer and better future?
However, is advancement in science sufficient for Asia? It has always been a region of transformation. It has also turned challenges into opportunities and setbacks into breakthroughs. With the right balance of innovation and action, there’s no reason Asia can’t lead the world toward a healthier, longer, and better future. The technology is there.
So, where does all this leave us? Asia now has two choices. It can either lead the world in healthcare innovation, using AI, robotics, and biotech to solve its most significant health challenges, or it can continue patching up broken systems until they collapse. The decisions made today will shape the health of billions tomorrow.
