31-Mar-16 The WHO has urged the Southeast Asian nations to intensify efforts to make the Universal Health Coverage a reality. According to WHO, an estimated 130 million people in WHO Southeast Asia region lack access to essential health services and over 50 million people are pushed into poverty every year because of healthcare costs. [image: World Health Organization]

30-Mar-16 Major Malaysia pharma company Pharmaniaga Bhd expects its business in Indonesia to be profitable this year with a 1-2% growth in terms of contribution to its overall revenue. “In Indonesia currently, we have got common products manufactured there and we got high-end generic products in Malaysia, like cardiovascular products, that we can easily export,” managing director Datuk Farshila Emran said. [image: Pharmaniaga Bhd]

28-Mar-16 The National Healthcare Group has officially launched the inaugural Health Innovation Technology Challenge in Singapore, in search of apps that can be used to help patients and staff better understand illnesses and treatment. [image: Channel News Asia]

28-Mar-16 According to a World Bank report, 36% of the world’s population aged 65+, or 211 million people, live in East Asia, the largest share among all regions. Vietnam was listed among countries with an aging population. The number of people over 65 in Vietnam is forecast to increase from 6.3 million to 18 million by 2040, 18% of its population. [image: Vietnam+]

28-Mar-16 Hospital operator PT Siloam International Hospitals, part of the Lippo Group, will set up 13 new hospital chains across Indonesia within two years. The plan will see Siloam's full-service hospitals increase to 33 from 20 at present. Each hospital is estimated to consume an average investment of USD8 mn. [image: ANTARA / Sahrul Manda Tikupadang]