With more sophisticated platforms and software using AI, including generative or GenAI forms, constantly emerging, it is no surprise that it has become a significant tool for use in many sectors, such as health and wellness. As health departments globally look for solutions to speed up the delivery of services, streamline data collection and analysis and look for methods to provide more holistic healthcare, this sector has become a hotspot for GenAI products.
The rapid advancement of GenAI in healthcare is revolutionising patient care, diagnostics, and medical operations across the world and Southeast Asia. From AI-powered diagnostics to intelligent health platforms, healthtech innovations enhance efficiency, accessibility, and accuracy in the ASEAN region’s healthcare systems.
We explore how machine learning has improved healthcare in Indonesia
Here are five pioneering startups leveraging generative AI to drive meaningful change in healthcare:
VinBrain
VinBrain, a leading AI healthcare startup in Vietnam, is transforming diagnostics with its AI-powered platform, DrAid™. Developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, who acquired the company in December 2024, DrAid™ assists radiologists in detecting abnormalities in X-rays, CT scans, and ultrasounds with remarkable precision. The platform supports early diagnosis of diseases like tuberculosis, lung cancer, and cardiovascular conditions, improving patient outcomes in underserved regions.
VinBrain’s AI models continuously learn from vast datasets, ensuring high accuracy and adaptability. By integrating GenAI into the health field, the company is bridging gaps in medical expertise and expanding access to quality diagnostics.
Qmed Asia
Malaysia’s Qmed Asia is redefining primary care in the country with AI-driven kiosks and telemedicine solutions. Their AI-assisted diagnostic tools enable patients to conduct preliminary health screenings for conditions like diabetes and hypertension before consulting a doctor. This innovative healthtech tool reduces wait times and allows physicians to focus on critical cases.
Qmed Asia’s AI platform also analyses patient data to predict health risks, offering personalised preventive care recommendations. By combining AI with telehealth, the startup is making healthcare more proactive and patient-centric. It raised just over USD 1 million through Leet Capital’s ECF platform in 2023 to help with expansion plans into Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Hello Health Group
The Hello Health Group (HHG), founded in Vietnam but now headquartered in Singapore, operates one of Southeast Asia’s largest digital health ecosystems, serving almost all the ASEAN countries and Taiwan. It works by providing AI-powered medical content and teleconsultation services. Its platform, powered by GenAI, delivers accurate, localised health information to millions, combating medical misinformation.
HHG’s AI-driven symptom checker and virtual triage system streamline patient-doctor interactions, ensuring timely care. With recent investments fueling expansion, the startup aims to enhance its AI capabilities, further democratising healthcare access in Southeast Asia.
Medhyve
Philippines-based startup Medhyve uses AI to optimise medical procurement and supply chains. Their AI-driven platform helps hospitals and clinics manage inventory, predict demand, and reduce procurement inefficiencies—a crucial tool to ensure efficiency in resource-constrained settings.
By analysing historical data and market trends, Medhyve’s AI ensures healthcare providers maintain adequate medical supplies without overstocking. This analysis reduces costs and ensures life-saving equipment and medications are always available. Backed by Foxmont Capital Partners, Pegasus Tech Ventures, in a seed funding round in 2022 worth USD 407,500, the company aims to strengthen its operations in the Philippines.
Meditel
Backed by Singapore’s Black Group’s SGD 100 million investment (more than US$76 million), Meditel is pioneering AI-powered remote patient monitoring in Malaysia. Their wearable devices and AI analytics platform track vital signs in real-time, alerting doctors to potential health deteriorations before emergencies arise.
This GenAI application is particularly impactful for chronic disease management, reducing hospital readmissions and improving long-term patient care. Meditel’s innovations highlight how AI can enhance preventive medicine and remote healthcare delivery.
The future of GenAI in healthcare in Southeast Asia
GenAI looks poised to bring massive transformative growth to the healthcare sector in Southeast Asia. Rising healthcare demands, digital infrastructure development, and supportive government policies drive this change. With countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand investing in AI research and smart hospital ecosystems, GenAI is emerging as an excellent tool to enhance diagnostics, streamline clinical workflows, and personalise patient care.
AI-generated medical imaging reports and predictive analytics can dramatically reduce the time to diagnose and improve accuracy, especially in resource-constrained settings. Furthermore, GenAI-powered chatbots and virtual health assistants are already showing promise in expanding access to care in rural and underserved areas.
However, the successful integration of GenAI in MedTech also depends on overcoming key regional challenges such as data privacy, regulatory fragmentation, and limited AI talent pools. Cross-border collaborations and public-private partnerships will be essential in setting ethical guidelines and standardising AI adoption. In addition, localising GenAI tools to accommodate diverse languages and healthcare needs across ASEAN nations will be crucial for inclusivity and effectiveness.
As the region continues to digitise rapidly, GenAI in healthcare has the potential to revolutionise how it is delivered and bridge longstanding gaps in accessibility, affordability, and quality of care across the region.
Groundbreaking healthtech innovations are emerging from startups like those mentioned above as they continue leveraging AI to improve diagnostics, streamline operations, and expand access to care. The future of healthcare in the region looks smarter, faster, and more inclusive.