In recent months, the Singaporean government has cracked down on erring providers of telemedicine in the country. It was revealed at the start of the year that eight providers were being investigated for improper practice and false advertising – and one already had its license to offer outpatient services revoked. 

Amid this growing scrutiny, telehealth company ORA launched what could be Singapore's first hybrid telehealth service focusing on weight management. The company partnered with Arden Endocrinology Specialist Clinic to offer this service that combines specialist virtual and in-person consultation options with one consistent healthcare team overseeing the patient journey. 

"We have witnessed an explosion of telehealth users in Singapore since COVID-19 who now seek online medical consultations for their convenience for a broad range of medical issues, but we also identified the growing desire for truly personalised care which we can offer through our hybrid model," noted ORA chief medical advisor and Arden director Dr Ben Ng.

Does hybrid mean higher care quality?

At least 50 complaints against telemedicine providers were lodged with Singapore's Ministry of Health last year. Since launching probes into these cases, the MOH assured it will take "necessary enforcement actions so that over time, best practices become normalised." 

"One concern with telehealth services raised recently is ensuring they match the quality and care provided during in-person visits," Dr Ng told Mobihealth News. ORA, with its new hybrid service, is now in a position to contribute to establishing telemedicine standards in Singapore. 

"Regardless of whether our patients are consulting through a video call or in person, they can expect the same level of attention, guidance, and support. The seamless integration of technology and medical expertise is a key feature of the hybrid model, ensuring that patients not only have easy access to care but also receive the highest quality of medical attention throughout their weight management journey."

Dr Ben Ng, Chief Medical Advisor, ORA Group

"If a healthcare provider identifies any limitation to a telehealth consult for a patient, the option for an in-person appointment gives a much higher level of care available to patients beyond pure telemedicine," Dr Ng emphasised.

Tackling Singapore's obesity problem

As with most of the world's population, Singapore also deals with obesity; it is reported that 3 in 10 Singaporeans are overweight while 12% are obese. This issue, which incurs significant health, social, and economic costs, requires a comprehensive solution incorporating physical activity, healthy dietary habits, and access to specialists for support and intervention. 

"We are seeing a shift in how consumers view their own weight management journey, now more aware that a holistic approach is needed to sustain and achieve their weight management goals," Dr Ng said. 

Weight loss was highlighted further in recent years with people discovering the effectiveness of semaglutides like Ozempic and similar anti-diabetes prescription medications  in promoting weight loss. 

"Part of the weight loss journey can involve prescription weight-loss medicines, which have a critical role to play in tackling the challenge of obesity and getting people back to sustainable good health," explained Dr Ng. 

"But they are serious medicines that must only be used responsibly by eligible patients under medical supervision, and the services launched by ORA go far beyond industry norms in ensuring that."

ORA's latest hybrid service offers a wide range of tailored anti-obesity medication options, personalised nutrition and exercise planning, and bariatric surgery counselling and referral, via the andSons and OVA brands. For now, the service does not involve using remote monitoring devices, though patients can be referred to it on-site if deemed necessary. 

"Our approach goes beyond weight loss; it focuses on enhancing overall metabolic health, which is essential for preventing chronic diseases," Dr Ng added.

Privacy remains paramount

While hybrid, ORA remains mindful of the privacy and security of its telehealth platform. 

"Our IT infrastructure combines locally hosted, encrypted servers for personal identity information with HIPAA-compliant systems for all medical records. This ensures that sensitive health data is protected with industry-leading security standards. We [also] implement end-to-end encryption, strict access controls, and continuous monitoring to safeguard against cyber threats. Regular security audits and compliance checks further reinforce our commitment to data integrity and patient trust," shared Dr Ng.

Without disclosing specifics, Dr Ng said ORA have some "big plans" for expansion across Asia this year.

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Dr Ng's responses have been edited for the sake of brevity and accuracy.