The National University Hospital has launched a new innovation hub aimed at accelerating the use of digital and AI-driven solutions across patient care and hospital operations.
Developed by the Kent Ridge Office of Innovation, established in 2024, the hub is part of wider efforts within the National University Health System to support healthcare transformation and respond to pressures such as ageing populations, workforce shortages and rising demand.
The facility is designed as a real-world testing environment where MedTech and AI startups can validate new technologies in clinical settings.
“The NUH Innovation Hub is anchored on what is best for the patient,” said Aymeric Lim, Chief Executive Officer of NUH.
An ageing population, growing care complexity, and a workforce stretched by demand. These are not challenges we can simply work harder to solve. We must work smarter, and ask better questions about how we can do better for those under our care. The Hub brings together our people and our partners to translate the bold ideas that startups and researchers bring to our doorstep.
Aymeric Lim, Chief Executive Officer of NUH
The hub will also strengthen international and cross-sector collaboration. It will host the Singapore office of the Singapore–Shanghai Medical Innovation Centre, a partnership with Ruijin Hospital focused on areas such as CAR T-cell therapy and 3D-printed orthopaedic solutions.
Additional partnerships include agreements with the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering and Elsevier, aimed at advancing interdisciplinary innovation and studying how AI tools are used in clinical decision-making. The collaborations are expected to support both talent development and the responsible adoption of AI in healthcare.
Among the solutions showcased at the hub is “MedBot”, a virtual pharmacy assistant that provides patients with medication information before collection. Introduced in 2025, it has reduced workload pressures in pharmacies handling around 2,500 prescriptions daily, saving an estimated 28 staff hours per month.
Another tool, the “ED Summarizer”, uses AI to compile clinical documentation in emergency departments. By integrating with electronic medical records and maintaining human oversight, it has reduced clinicians’ documentation time by at least 50%, allowing more time for patient care.
Beyond internal tools, the hub will act as a sandbox for startups and partners to co-develop and scale technologies such as digital twins, genomic medicine and connected medical devices.
According to Sandy Ho, Assistant Chief Operating Officer at NUH, partnerships with government agencies, including the Infocomm Media Development Authority, will help identify operational challenges and test new solutions in practice.
The initiative also includes staff training programmes to improve AI literacy and support wider adoption. More than 3,400 staff have already taken part in innovation-related training.
By combining clinical expertise, research and industry collaboration, the hub aims to accelerate the development and scaling of technologies that can improve efficiency and patient outcomes within Singapore’s healthcare system.
Featured image: The launch of the NUH Innovation Hub was officiated by Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash (fourth from left), Minister of State at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower.
01.04.2026.
