Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming many industries, and healthcare is no exception. Innovations like AI-enhanced scans, real-time monitoring and personalised therapies are revolutionising lab testing platforms and precision health management. These advances offer more efficient and accessible healthcare solutions, potentially shifting patients’ focus from treatment towards prevention.

Dr Stephen Lam Tak Sum, a clinical geneticist at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, emphasises the importance of this development. “[Prevention] helps in reducing suffering and risk; decreases healthcare costs; increases efficiency, productivity and enjoyment of life; ensures long-term sustainability; and [helps] address the root causes of problems such as unhealthy lifestyle choices and environmental factors,” he explains.

As research and digital tools have advanced, the femtech market has seen significant growth and is projected to be worth US$97 billion by 2030, as per Unicef.

One product leading this charge is Ovum, an app designed as a digital hub for medical test results and referrals. The product was created to help women who suffer from pain and fertility problems reach a diagnosis earlier and to give women more control over their health data. Users can question the platform and track not only their cycle but also the progression of health issues.

It is “the first AI-powered conversational agent designed to support all women across every stage of life – integrating biometric and pathological data in one place to deliver truly personalised health insights”, according to its founder Dr Ariella Heffernan-Marks.

Heffernan-Marks, who recently spoke at the Women’s Health in Focus summit in Hong Kong, believes that when properly utilised, AI has the potential to transform women’s health outcomes.