KUALA LUMPUR – Vital Signs Asia, a healthcare information portal aimed at improving patient advocacy and streamlining access to vital medical resources, has officially launched, promising innovative transformations to the healthcare sector.
The pioneering platform’s launch, which was officiated by former health director-general Tan Sri Noor Hisham Abdullah, paves the way for a site where the public can access expert-driven health advice in the language of the layman.
With an emphasis on sharing stories from patients’ perspectives, Vital Signs aims to achieve its mission to transform complex healthcare information into accessible, credible, and actionable insights by partnering with field professionals and collaborating with patients themselves.
Speaking at the launch event yesterday, Vital Signs co-founder Manvir Victor said that the platform will offer insights from a globally diverse range of clinical experts, researchers, global health organisations, as well as patient advocates from nine countries, with more expected to join.
Content on the platform, which can be accessed at https://vitalsigns.asia/, includes input on best practices and the latest innovations in the areas of digital health, financing, cellular medicine, menopause, mental and physical health, as well as every specialisation.
“Vital Signs is unique as we will speak in a simple language accessible to everyone, in any country, who wants to find ways to improve their health.
“It’s time for health to be borderless as everyone has a right to be as healthy as they can be,” Manvir said, stressing that healthcare must be able to evolve to achieve impactful outcomes that meet communities’ evolving expectations.
Manvir, a kidney transplant survivor, said that his personal journey with healthcare lent him a key look into the vitality of proper patient advocacy.
In particular, his previous engagements with Noor Hisham as the then-deputy health director-general’s patient in 2011 left a lasting impact.
“I was struck by not only his expertise but also his remarkable ability to communicate clearly and compassionately,” Manvir said.
“He took the time to walk me through my surgical options while utilising technology to enhance our conversation—an experience that felt revolutionary at the time.”
When met by Scoop at the sidelines of the launch event, Noor Hisham said that as someone who has gone through treatment processes himself, Manvir understands the importance of presenting healthcare information in a way that is comprehensible for patients.
He also said that Vital Signs will be a good platform for medical personnel seeking to provide optimum care for their patients, as the site provides a look into patients’ viewpoints during their struggles with medical matters.
“In this day and age of advanced technology, we have to use communication tools to connect with patients. Doctors might understand the science behind diseases, but knowing the patients’ perspective in terms of what they’re going through will build their trust and confidence,” he said.
The retired civil servant, who remains a practising breast and endocrine surgeon, added that Vital Signs will help disprove misinformation and disinformation flooding social media by directly engaging doctors and patients who can debunk myths and false narratives.
The launch event also saw the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Vital Signs and DoctorOnCall, Malaysia’s leading online pharmacy, to create and curate content that will expand health literacy across the region.
The partnership, coupled with a shared commitment to improving public health, will see both brands working together to develop educational resources, promote preventative healthcare, and support the broader well-being of local communities. – December 11, 2024
