HealthTech Forum 2024
Experts in Greater Bay Area delve into tech-driven healthcare trends

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), a member institution of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), hosted the HealthTech Forum 2024 last Friday (21 June). The event brought together over 40 academics, medical professionals and healthcare technology experts from the Greater Bay Area (GBA) to share insights into the development of healthtech and the opportunities for industry talent in the region. An exhibition was held on site to showcase a variety of innovative healthcare technology solutions.

Speaking at the Forum, Guest of Honour the Secretary for Health Professor LO Chung-mau, said, “The theme of today’s Forum, ‘Tech-Driven Healthcare: The Greater Bay Area’, reflects the immense potential of regional co-operation in healthcare technology. To tackle the challenges arising from an ageing population and the increasing healthcare demands, the Government has been upholding people-oriented spirit, striving to apply leading-edge technologies to provide citizens with higher quality and more efficient healthcare services. We are also joining hands with GBA partners to promote healthcare innovation and collaboration within the region, in order to safeguard public health.”

Dr Daniel YIP, VTC Deputy Chairman, highlighted the need for the community to leverage technological innovation and talent development, in order to enhance the efficiency and quality of medical and healthcare services. Such efforts and results could create references for other GBA cities, facilitating the overall development of healthcare services in the region. Dr Yip added that, in response to the rising demand for healthcare professionals, VTC, as the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong, is preparing to introduce new programmes and to establish a training centre for dental care at the IVE campus in Chai Wan, thereby providing individuals aspiring to join the medical and healthcare sector with professional development opportunities and expanding the talent pool.

The HealthTech Forum gathered academics and industry experts from the GBA in an array of presentations and discussions. Keynote speeches were given by Dr LAM Ching-choi, Non-Official Member of the Executive Council and Chief Executive Officer of Haven of Hope Christian Service, who covered the topic of technology applications in healthcare; and Dr Spencer CHAN, President of the Hong Kong Dental Association, who looked into the future of oral healthcare.

During the panel discussion and parallel sessions, participants exchanged insights on various topics including healthcare development in the GBA, heatlhtech applications, pharmacology and drug administration technology, aquaculture technology, and public health in the region.

The Healthcare Technology Exhibition was held to showcase various innovative projects developed by the healthtech industry as well as the teacher and student teams from VTC. Among the exhibits was an application co-developed by VTC’s Health and Life Sciences Discipline and the industry that uses artificial intelligence to analyse images of herbal medicine and identify the species.

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) is a member of the VTC Group. The nine IVE campuses provide vocational and professional education and training for secondary graduates as well as for people in employment. IVE courses leading to the award of Higher Diploma and Diploma of Foundation Studies cover various academic disciplines including Health and Life Sciences; Business; Childcare, Elderly and Community Services; Engineering; Hospitality, and Interdisciplinary Programmes. 

Website: www.ive.edu.hk

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