The Future of Asia: Healthcare challenges faced by countries in the region

Summary

This report examines Asia's healthcare challenges amid demographic shifts, focusing on Japan's aging population and healthcare system strain, India's struggle to provide care for its vast population, and the Philippines' battle with health inequities post-COVID-19. It explores solutions like Japan's long-term care emphasis, India's telemedicine advancements, and the Philippines' push for primary care facilities. The script also highlights the growing digital health market in Asia and the importance of sustainability in healthcare.

Takeaways

• 🎉 CNA is celebrating its 25th anniversary and looking ahead to the future of healthcare in Asia.
• 🌏 The script focuses on three key regions in Asia: India, the Philippines, and Japan, each facing unique healthcare challenges.
• 👵 Japan is addressing the challenges of an aging population, with seniors making up nearly 30% of its population, expected to rise to 40% by 2070.
• 🏥 Japan's healthcare system is under strain due to the aging population, leading to reforms in health insurance and long-term care.
• 💼 Japan is investing in robotic care devices to reduce the burden on caregivers and address the shortage of healthcare workers.
• 💉 In India, the healthcare system is overburdened, with a critical shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas.
• 📱 Telemedicine is being used in India to improve access to healthcare and guide doctors in rural areas.
• 💊 The Philippines is tackling health inequities exposed by COVID-19, with many falling into debt due to high medical costs.
• 🏠 The Philippines is working to build more primary care facilities to provide preventive care and reduce healthcare costs.
• 🌐 ASEAN is committed to building regional health capacity, which is also crucial for economic security.
• 💹 Digital health is a growing market in Asia, with estimates suggesting it could be worth $1.5 trillion by 2030.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 25th anniversary of CNA?

The 25th anniversary of CNA is significant as it marks a milestone for the company and provides an opportunity to reflect on its past achievements and look ahead to the future, particularly in the context of Asia.

How does the aging population in Japan impact its healthcare system?

The aging population in Japan, with seniors 65 and older making up close to 30% of its population, is expected to increase to 40% by 2070, which will place a significant strain on the healthcare system.

What measures is Japan taking to ensure the sustainability of its healthcare system?

Japan is implementing measures such as a tiered healthcare payment system where seniors who earn more pay more, and a long-term care insurance scheme called 'Kaigo Hoken' that residents must pay into after the age of 40.

What is the role of technology in Japan's healthcare system?

Japan is investing in robotic care devices to reduce the burden on caregivers and is exploring the use of technology to address the shortage of healthcare workers.

What is the current state of healthcare access in India?

Access to healthcare in India can be time-consuming and expensive, with long waiting times for treatment at public hospitals and a critical shortage of doctors, particularly in rural areas.

How is India addressing the challenge of tuberculosis?

India is fighting tuberculosis by increasing awareness about preventive healthcare practices and ensuring patients complete their treatment courses, as well as aiming to eliminate TB by next year.

What is the impact of COVID-19 on the healthcare system in the Philippines?

COVID-19 exposed gaps in the Philippines' healthcare system, leading to health inequities and financial burdens for many Filipinos, as evidenced by the high medical costs that led to families going into debt.

What steps is the Philippines taking to improve its healthcare system?

The Philippines is focusing on building more primary care facilities to provide preventive care and early diagnosis, as well as planning to construct 28 primary and urgent care multi-specialty centers by 2028.

How does the script suggest digital health could transform healthcare in Asia?

The script suggests that digital health could transform healthcare in Asia by providing easier access to medical services, improving the efficiency of healthcare systems, and reaching a large population that is growing rapidly.

What are the economic implications of aging populations in Asian countries?

Aging populations in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore could impact economic growth due to the increased strain on healthcare systems and the potential decrease in the working-age population.

How is Singapore planning to decarbonize its energy sources?

The script hints at Singapore's ambitions to decarbonize its energy sources by exploring green energy in the coming decades, although specific plans are not detailed in the provided transcript.

Outlines

00:00

👴 Aging Societies in Japan

Japan, one of the world's fastest aging countries, faces significant challenges in its healthcare system due to a rapidly increasing elderly population. Seniors aged 65 and above constitute nearly 30% of the population, a figure expected to rise to 40% by 2070. This demographic shift places a strain on healthcare resources, with seniors using a higher proportion of them compared to younger generations. Japan has initiated reforms to ensure the sustainability of its healthcare system, including changes to co-payments for seniors over 70 with higher incomes and a new long-term care insurance scheme. Despite having over 15,000 private elderly care homes, there is a severe shortage of caregivers, leading to discussions about increasing foreign workers. Japan is also investing in robotic care devices to reduce the burden on caregivers, although the adoption of such technology faces hurdles like cost and lack of skilled staff. The average life expectancy in Japan is 84.5 years, and there are concerns about how the healthcare system will support the aging population's needs.

05:00

🏥 Healthcare Challenges in India

India faces significant healthcare challenges, particularly in providing access to quality healthcare for its 1.4 billion people. The country's healthcare system is overburdened, with long waiting times for treatment at public hospitals and a lack of awareness about preventive healthcare in poor communities. Tuberculosis is a major health issue, with one person dying every two minutes. The government is working to eradicate TB by next year, but the fight against it is complicated by a severe shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. India has one doctor for every 834 patients, which is well above the recommended ratio. To improve patient care, the healthcare sector is turning to technology, with telemedicine being a game-changer. The government has built specialized institutes and plans for more hospitals, but experts suggest a sustainable way to expand healthcare access is to bridge the gap between private and public sectors. The government's public healthcare expenditure is one of the lowest in the world, and experts argue that India must increase its healthcare budget to make healthcare accessible and affordable for all.

10:06

💉 Health Inequities in the Philippines

The Philippines is grappling with health inequities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Filipinos, even from the working class, are struggling with the high costs of healthcare, which can lead to impoverishment. The country's health system is underfunded, and preventive care and early diagnosis are identified as keys to reducing healthcare costs. The government plans to build more primary and urgent care facilities to address the healthcare gap. The first of such facilities, called Bhikkhus, opened in early March, offering services not typically available in rural health centers. The Philippines is also lagging behind its ASEAN neighbors in terms of basic health services and the cost of essential medicines. Financing health reforms requires external help, and ASEAN is setting terms for a regional reserve of medical supplies for future public health emergencies. However, inequities persist across the bloc, and the Philippines needs to catch up to prepare for the next pandemic.

15:09

🌿 Sustainability and Climate in Asia

The script's final paragraph hints at upcoming discussions on sustainability and climate in Asia. It mentions Singapore's green energy ambitions as it looks to decarbonize its energy sources and Vietnam's efforts to build a green economy to sustain its manufacturing ambitions. Additionally, it points to Malaysia's challenges in developing a national climate adaptation plan to gain the trust of communities affected by extreme weather events. While not providing detailed information, this paragraph sets the stage for exploring the significant role of sustainability and climate change in Asia's future.

Keywords

💡Demographics

Demographics refers to the statistical study of populations based on factors such as age, sex, race, and income. In the video, demographics are crucial as they highlight the aging populations in Asian countries and the implications for healthcare systems. For instance, Japan's population is aging rapidly, with seniors making up nearly 30% of the population, which strains the healthcare system.

💡Healthcare Change

Healthcare change refers to the shifts or transformations in the healthcare system, which can include policy, technology, or service delivery. The video discusses how Asia is primed for rapid healthcare change due to shifting demographics, necessitating new approaches to care for an aging population.

💡Aging Societies

Aging societies are populations with a disproportionately high number of older individuals relative to younger ones. The video uses Japan as an example of an aging society, where seniors 65 and older make up close to 30% of the population, leading to increased pressure on healthcare resources.

💡Health Insurance

Health insurance is a type of insurance that covers the whole or part of the risk of a person incurring medical expenses. The script discusses Japan's health insurance system, where residents must pay into it and how changes in copayments for seniors were implemented in 2022.

💡Long-term Care

Long-term care refers to assistance provided to individuals who have lost the ability to perform activities of daily living. The video mentions Japan's emphasis on long-term care, with residents paying into a new scheme after the age of 40 to prepare for the aging population.

💡Caregivers

Caregivers are individuals who provide care to those in need, such as the elderly or sick. The script highlights a severe shortage of caregivers in Japan's elderly care homes, which is a challenge in supporting the aging population.

💡Robotic Care Devices

Robotic care devices are machines or systems designed to assist in the care of individuals, particularly the elderly. The video discusses Japan's investment in these devices to reduce the burden on human caregivers and how they are seen as a solution to the caregiver shortage.

💡Telemedicine

Telemedicine is the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology. The script mentions telemedicine as a game-changer in India, where it connects doctors in rural areas with specialists for guidance on treatments.

💡Healthcare Access

Healthcare access refers to the ease with which individuals can obtain healthcare services. The video discusses the challenges of accessing healthcare in India, where waiting times for treatment in public hospitals can be months or even years.

💡Healthcare Budget

Healthcare budget refers to the financial allocation for healthcare services. The script emphasizes that India's public healthcare expenditure is one of the lowest globally, and increasing the budget is necessary to make healthcare accessible and affordable.

💡Health Inequities

Health inequities refer to unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within or between population groups. The video discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed health inequities in the Philippines, where many cannot afford healthcare expenses.

Highlights

CNA celebrates its 25th anniversary and looks ahead to the next 25 years in Asia.

Asia is primed for rapid healthcare change due to shifting demographics.

Japan's aging population, with seniors making up nearly 30% of the population.

Japan's healthcare system faces strain as the aging population increases.

Japan's approach to healthcare includes mandatory health insurance and affordable medical services.

Japan introduced a two-tier payment system for seniors' healthcare in 2022.

Emphasis on long-term care in Japan with the new sink air scheme for residents over 40.

Japan faces a severe shortage of caregivers in elderly care homes.

Japan is investing in robotic care devices to reduce the burden on caregivers.

India faces healthcare challenges in providing care for its 1.4 billion people.

India's public hospitals are overburdened, leading to long wait times for treatment.

India has a pressing healthcare challenge with tuberculosis, aiming to eradicate it by next year.

India's healthcare sector is turning to technology, with telemedicine being a game changer.

The Philippines is battling health inequities exposed by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Philippines' state health insurance covers a small fraction of healthcare costs, leading to debt.

Preventive care and early diagnosis are key to reducing healthcare costs in the Philippines.

ASEAN is committed to building regional health capacity for future public health emergencies.

Digital health is a burgeoning market in Asia, projected to be worth one and a half trillion dollars by 2030.

Transcripts

Well, CNA is marking its 25th anniversary this month. And so with

taking the opportunity to look ahead to the next quarter century here in Asia.

Yesterday we focus on business and work. Today we look at how Asia's primed for

rapid healthcare change due to shifting demographics. Cna Chong EU in is on need

editor on this project.

We're going to 3 places which we think the cover of the key health issues that

will really impact the lives of people in Asia for the long term in India,

it's about how the country will rise to the health care challenge of taking care

of its 1.4 billion people and then to the Philippines where COVID-19 exposed

gaps in its health care system and what ASEAN needs to do to respond to the next

big public health emergency to start off will focus on aging societies. Michiyo

Ishida tells us how Japan is addressing gaps and managing it. So the transition,

[MUSIC]

Japan is one of the world's fastest Asian countries.

Seniors 65 and older make up close to 30% of its population. Estimates put the

number at 40% by 2070 mean a strain on the healthcare system will become more

acute

it or not. Is the director of health care policy course at the National

Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.

And many people on a par kept the use of the health care resources higher to the

compared to the younger generation the ISIS made by them and buy them. He said

health tells about of one percent.

The increase is contributed to by the

teaching called the population. But that's the same time our total

population is decreasing that that that this passion you're sitting such a

increase of that and that the people.

I leave forms to the health care system are underway to ensure sustainability

residents of Japan and then roll and mandatory health insurance and access

medical services at affordable prices. Low income seniors age 70 and older who

still copay just 10% of their hospital bill. But this was changed in 2022.

So seniors who earn more pay more to on a 2 tier. Japan is also placing greater

emphasis on long-term care.

After the age of 40 residents of Japan must pay into the new sink air scheme.

That's on top of the health care insurance coverage. This push the fast

aging population. But there is more Japan needs to do to be able to support

the health care of the elderly population.

Professor know who work with the health Ministry for about 30 years since demand

for long-term care is expected to increase for at least 2 or 3 decades.

That obviously is a provided both in the seclusion back to nursing homes or the

home by boosting the Nazis appease thing. The whole helpers. We're going to

day care services. According to the banking, every 8 people engaging being

held on the move to stick to. But being

in 20 years or so, it's should be wrong in every 5 people.

Japan has more than 15,000 private elderly care homes according to

authorities, but the sector suffers from severe shortage of caregivers. Well,

that was to bring in more foreign workers, professor on the things this

will be difficult as average wages lag behind those of other developed

countries.

So Japan is investing in robotic care devices as a solution.

The viewer is to reduce the burden of the can people like us that's kind of,

you know, innovation is taking place was not so Robbie 30. I think the do think

technology is the one thing that we need to explore.

About 8 in 10 care facilities do not use robots. According to a nationwide survey

of new sink, your service providers, analysts say the cost and lack of skill

among staff to use and maintain the technology hurdles to adoption that will

need to be overcome.

The average life expectancy at EIGHTY-FOUR 0.5 years and the Japanese

have concerns about how the health care system can support their needs as they

age.

It's the them updated. Said the put on heels of care facilities are well

equipped. I would like to be admitted. I don't think it's possible for my

children to look after the news media them on it.

What people thought way to clean up to do.

The most I think we will have to pay more. Aging will add funds medicine.

Will it bought sun life will become longer that it is minimal of each of

the.

The government will have to find a way to ensure this group is cared for in its

golden years, even as birth rates fall to record lows to the Santa to give.

53 year-old Sanjay lives in an urban slum on the outskirts of New Delhi.

A few years ago, he delayed seeking treatment despite being city on the air.

I needed someone to carry me to the hospital, had to run around 4 hours to

even be able to see a doctor.

Getting access to health, get in. India can be time-consuming and

expensive. Those who want free or subsidised treatments at public

hospitals sometimes have to wait for months. If not years. Sanjay eventually

went to the hospital when his condition worsened and he was diagnosed with

tuberculosis or TB. He took months to recover and all the while the government

will in tears have to make sure he stayed the course. That's because Heuvel

in poor communities lack awareness about preventive health care practices.

This is Preeti should mall community health care, volunteer.

And to all of the hospitals we don't get by both the the stigma surrounding TB.

The Lightning to neighbors will tell them summit since have made you sick or

you won't get killed the open information with the level of knowledge

want to get I look at the Internet many times patients agree to stop taking

them. It's and so we keep in close touch with them and make sure the recover

effingham in town apart.

One person dies of tuberculosis. Every 2 minutes in India, it's one of the

country's most pressing healthcare challenges.

The disease is curable in India wants to evade the key to it by next year.

But doctors and frontline workers see that the fight to stamp out TV is played

by the same problem that over burdens. India's.

Public just an urgent need for more doctors.

It's a shortage that is reaching crucial levels, especially since India is now

the world's most populous nation. Further stretching an already fragile

medical system.

The data shows staffing levels of doctors in rural India isn't just 20% of

capacity in some categories. The government says India has one doctor for

834 patients well above the recommended who 11. The figure includes those who

practice traditional medicine, not recognized by UN agencies

to improve patient care. The health care sector is turning to technology. Don't

just see. Telemedicine has been a game changer in the country has lost his

India. This hospital, for example, or brings together positions, seen leaders

be shunned councillors and community health workers in the virtual space.

They discussed best-practice treatments to guide doctors in rural areas. Don't

to shell in Puri is a medical officer at the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in

Delhi. Axis image people because Putin is readiness for what it?

The new land and that one.

This so they have some things. They have all the equipment, but they don't have

the knowledge they.

The government has built more than a dozen specialized institutes in the last

10 years. And there are plans for every in the district to have at least one

major government hospital. But looking to the decades ahead, experts see a

sustainable way to expand health care access is to bridge the gap between

private hands to eat again. Doctor Rajitha the rally is the vice president

of the Association of Medical Consultants in Mumbai.

Cna of at the bottom and land is given a do there it is. Do look by the

government and it is given I would do not fund would give it a good thing for

the poor patients without taking any money with the bottom and it would look

at places Bend, Indiana.

We will be able to get quality treatment to the patients. Slope of the medical

industry is very, very, but in the next 10 years, you know, via leading up to

the expectations of the beloved country, those who know the very fact that

developed countries, that's a big data patients to, as you know, because the

cost off medical treatment is so high. That on wants to know 10 times more than

what good is incurred in India, the developing countries.

Apparently the government's public health care expenditure is one of the

lowest in the world. Experts say India must resort healthcare budget if it

wants to realize its mission of making healthcare accessible and affordable for

all Neha Poonia CNA New Delhi.

It's been a year since the end of the COVID-19 global health emergency.

But the Philippines is now taking on a different battle health inequities

exposed by the outbreak. The family of 17 year-old site is this. Connell knows

this all too well. They spent months in hospital after he got infected with the

disease. The state health insurance covered only 2% of their 22,000 U.S.

Dollar Hospital bill.

They are now deep in debt due to a medical loan

to paid off his father. Claudel is working as a house painter.

The land title for his relative's home serves as collateral for the loan.

I don't believe in you. I completed my daily salary and the low 90 to pay for

the hospital bill want to become my salary is equivalent to just one day of

hospital room fees. My salary is inadequate.

A lot of the law.

This is a common story. Among many Filipinos, health specialists say a

lunar middle income country such as the Philippines can only afford to cover the

health care expenses of the poorest of the poor. This means a medical bills are

impoverishing even for the working class.

Experts say preventive care and early diagnosis are key to reducing healthcare

costs. Michael complaint is the president of the Philippine Society of

Public Health Physicians.

It's fun more primary care facilities because it's cheaper. It provides more

preventive and primary care interventions and then everybody has a

chance to be called for and up and to let them that the achievement live in of

productivity or economy for the country, then we expand our care.

As of twenty-twenty to only 21% of Philippine provinces had adequate

primary care facilities. According to the Department of Health,

the Health secretary's plan is to build 28 primary and urgent care. Multi

specially centres dubbed Bhikkhus to sound like Filipino word for open by

2028. They're designed for the 20 million poorest Filipinos. The first

such facility opened in early March.

The doctors I spoke to say the so called cost facility closes the healthcare gap

between village based health centers and tertiary hospitals. It has equipment and

offer services not typically done in rural health, centres such as minor

surgeries for patients not meeting hospital admission.

Officials say such centres can easily be converted to isolation facilities if

there is another pandemic. Albert Domingo is the Philippines assistant

secretary of health.

So the number of COVID-19, dedicated beds can easily be increased upon

instructions from the deal. It said there'd be another pathogen. So you

don't call the COVID-19. And why despite the CSX CSX beds can be increased in

terms of number bass and accordion plants at the hospital said.

But while the world prepares for Disease X, the Philippines is lagging behind its

ASEAN neighbours such as Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. In terms of basic

health services. The price of essential medicines is also an issue. Drug costs

are more than 3 times higher then in other countries, one survey found that

many Filipinos and not buying their prescription drugs due to the high fees

financing health reforms requires external help.

Asean has set terms for a regional reserves of medical supplies for future

public health emergencies. But when it comes to fact scenes and other

lifesaving medicines inequities persist across the bloc as the world prepares

for the next pandemic, ASEAN is commitment to building regional health

capacity in the years ahead is also expected to be an investment, its

economic security

when to bring all CNA Metro Manila.

Digital health as a burden market in this region. Estimates vary but one

projection is it will be worth one and a half trillion dollars by twenty-thirty

another Citigroup report says the scale and penetration of digital health can

Asia is significant reaching some one and a half billion people and growing

very fast. I think you see one of the things that no one took seriously until

COVID. Now many of us are very familia but elements in and video consuls.

The pandemic also exposed cracks in health systems worldwide. But since

then, it changed the way that we access medical services and how governments

organise health systems.

Asia is also staring down the barrel of rapid healthcare change because of

shifting demographics. Aging and shrinking populations will have

implications for economic growth.

Countries like Japan, South Korea and Singapore are aging and they have the

double whammy of low fertility rates as well.

So tomorrow we'll look at sustainability and the climate. We'll explore

Singapore's green energy ambitions in the coming decades as it looks to

decarbonize its energy sources. Also, how developing economies such as Vietnam

of building a green economy to sustain its manufacturing ambitions and then

Malaysia to explore the challenges of developing a national climate adaptation

plan that can gain the trust of communities already battered by extreme

weather events.