by SHAFIQQUL ALIFF / pic source: moh.gov.my

THE Ministry of Health (MoH), together with Futurise Sdn Bhd, launched the Online Health Service Regulatory Lab (OHS RegLab) to provide healthcare services to patients online. 

Futurise said in a statement that this marks a major milestone in the evolution of a regulatory framework for OHS in the country. 

Futurise is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cyberview Sdn Bhd under the Finance Ministry, which leads the National Regulatory Sandbox. 

It stated that the OHS has been experiencing tremendous growth globally with the rapid pace of digitalisation and connectivity that is transforming many sectors including healthcare. 

“OHS appears to be a promising platform to meet the challenges of rising cost and access, while ensuring the highest quality of service in Malaysian healthcare. 

“However, there are hurdles on the regulatory front faced by OHS players operating in the country and thus the OHS RegLab is expected to play an important role in addressing potential issues via a collaborative approach between all relevant parties,” it stated. 

Meanwhile, deputy DG of Health (research and technical support) Datuk Dr Hishamshah Mohd Ibrahim said the collaboration with Futurise will leverage upon the National Regulatory Sandbox initiative to conduct the lab. 

He stated that MoH realises the growth and potential of OHS, and it is clear that pandemic has accelerated hospital and healthcare system’s innovation, laying the groundwork to transform healthcare. 

“The ministry would like to continue to witness innovation in this field with new technologies and solutions to address and adapt to current needs, and we encourage and look forward towards innovation that will accelerate the transformation of healthcare delivery for Malaysia. 

“With findings from the Regulatory Lab, MoH seeks to identify the appropriate regulatory instruments and improvements to safeguard the rights of OHS users without inhibiting the advancement of innovation,” he said. 

Futurise CEO Rosihan Zain said the Regulatory Lab is a platform for MoH and regulators to better understand the new innovative OHS by allowing selected OHS companies to operate in a live and controlled environment, within specified parameters and time frame under close monitoring by MoH and regulators.