Prof Dr Rusli Abdullah

The use of the latest technology in the lives of the people and the country today is seen to increase from time to time, especially in dealing with the current pandemic and endemic situations due to Covid-19.

Starting with the use of certain applications such as MySejahtera for the people in Malaysia, and Peduli in Indonesia provides a lot of knowledge and experience to all parties to identify the purpose of tools related to the latest technology can benefit them, especially in matters of observation and manipulation of data analytically on health information.

In addition, the use of this latest technology is also associated with several technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Big data (big data), Integration and automation of systems with Intelligent system functionality (Intelligent system), cloud computing (cloud computing), Internet of Things (IoT) technology, virtual reality (virtual reality), block chain (block chain), and various other technologies associated with Industrial Revolution Technology - Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0 as deemed appropriate and in line with their needs.

With the combination of all these new technological tools in various forms of application such as tele-medicine, the use of artificial intelligence tools such as robots and softbots is seen to be able to help all stakeholders in the field of medical science and improve the quality of National Health to the maximum level.

The role of technology in National Health Management

The role of new technologies in national health management can also be seen in various key categories.

This categorization is based on the needs and use of technology on stakeholders consisting of medical practitioners such as doctors, nurses and pharmacies, health center administrators such as health officials, supporters of medical operations such as drug providers and medical facilities, and the patients themselves.
In the context of medical practitioners, there are various tools that can be used by them to ensure that the quality of service to consumers such as patients can be improved more effectively such as the registration process, disease detection and treatment, patient data profiling and automatic observation of their data as well as the consultation process that can be done by various tools either physically or online or virtual reality.

Similarly, health centre administrators can use automation systems equipped with smart systems for the purpose of monitoring diseases and patients by issuing information to certain stakeholders through Big data Systems and smart systems operating on cloud computing platforms as well as using IoT detection technology to issue early warnings in the form of hotspots and so on.

In the context of drug providers and medical facilities such as hospitals or health centers, the use of new technologies such as the use of blockchains in medical information systems and financial systems can increase the level of security of medical data for all parties involved such as patient data and so on.

Furthermore, in the context of patients, this latest technology is seen as very important.

This is mainly in the process of identifying and obtaining patient data through IoT technology, treating through suggestions for names and types of drugs and implementing the process of recovery or rehabilitation using robotic systems and information recording systems that are able to function according to their needs, whether using devices such as smartphones or smart watches and robotic tools that can operate at all times.

Issues and challenges

The main issues and challenges in ensuring the quality of health can be preserved, these include issues related to privacy and data security, issues on the availability and acceptance of technology and digitization processes, as well as the cost implications involved in the acquisition and use of this technology.

In the context of data privacy and security, the technology introduced must be able to overcome problems such as data leakage from the system and be able to control data and systems from those who try to invade the system.

Therefore, firewall and digital ID systems such as biometric systems must be introduced in line with the latest developments in the field of virtual reality.

In addition, the level of user access to achieve management and financial information systems and patient placement systems at medical centers and including access to application systems such as MySejahtera must be affordable for all parties and is in line with the inclusive digitization process or better known as digital inclusion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of this latest technology is able to change the way of operation and practices of all stakeholders to ensure that the level of health quality can be improved from time to time.

In addition, the use of the latest technology can also make it easier for stakeholders to make holistic decisions and forecasts quickly, accurately and at any time according to their individual needs.

Finally, it can improve the quality of health services more excellently and more cost-effective in terms of time and use of resources such as finance and others.

Furthermore, it is also able to attract the interest of various parties not only within the country but also others who are abroad to obtain medical services and through this way it will indirectly add value to the generation of income quantities for those involved in this aspect of Medicine and further increase the healthcare tourism industry in a state or country.

The author is a professor at the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, UPM, Research thinker at the Institute of Social Science Studies (IPSAS), UPM and Deputy Chairman of the ICT cluster, National Council of professors

Date of Input: 15/08/2023 | Updated: 15/08/2023 | zulshafiq