Novel digital health system launched in Singapore for diabetes support
Asia accounts for over 50% of the global diabetic population – in Singapore, over 400,000 people have diabetes, with a majority facing end-stage kidney failure. The number of affected is expected to rise to one million by 2050 and cost the country over US$2.5 billion annually to manage. Lately, is has been reported that people with diabetes also suffer severe COVID-19 infection.
To ease care for diabetes and prevent fatal consequences, Singapore-based digital health company ConnectedHealth has launched SugoSure, an essential digital health system for patients with Type 2 diabetes. According to data, nearly S$2.3 million (US$1.7 million) has been invested to date in designing, developing, and testing SugoSure.
Research by the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University found that few diabetes apps include all five functions which should be tracked: medication, blood glucose levels, physical activity, diet, and weight – SugoSure ticks all the right boxes.
SugoSure offers a complete approach which records key diabetes indicators. It is a clinically validated system that connects patients, doctors, and health coaches to deliver better health outcomes, including problem detection and resolution.
SugoSure’s three unique user interfaces ensure the above:
1) Patient App, for patients to track their blood glucose levels and other indicators, and access digital and health coach support; it is supported by SugoSure’s integral diabetes chatbot, SugoBot;
2) Physician Portal, used by doctors for remote monitoring of patients; and
3) Health Coach Portal, for health coaches to review patient indicators, develop lifestyle plans, and communicate with patients and physicians.
SugoSure runs on ConnectedHealth’s secure, cloud-based Clinical Data Platform and will be offered as a subscription-based service priced at S$99 (US$73.5) for three months. A SugoSure subscription includes digital health support, remote monitoring by a physician, and health coaching. It is targeted at patients less than 65 years of age diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and sub-optimal to poor blood glucose control.
SugoSure claims to improve control to targeted levels in 6-12 months. Initial results from beta testing have shown encouraging results, with several patients using SugoSure for more than a year showing sustained blood glucose and lifestyle improvements.
“SugoSure was developed with input from health professionals who have been long involved in diabetes care and based on patients’ needs and shortfalls in current diabetes management,” said Dr. Kevin Tan, Consultant Endocrinologist, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Vice-President/Past President, Diabetes Singapore & Medical Advisory Board member, ConnectedHealth. “For persons living with diabetes, SugoSure complements and improves diabetes management, helping to achieve treatment goals and prevent diabetes-related complications.”
In the coming years, ConnectedHealth plans to build a range of products similar to SugoSure based on its Clinical Data Platform. These products will apply clinical data to improve disease outcomes, broaden access to care and reduce cost, thereby catalysing the much-needed transformation of chronic disease management through technology.
Read: Novo Nordisk Malaysia organises diabetes awareness media forum
