Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) has unveiled Project ENTenna, Asia’s first allergy database focused on Allergic Rhinitis (AR), a condition affecting 39% of Singaporeans. This AI-driven initiative, supported by National University Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Changi General Hospital, and A*STAR, will track 6,000 patients over three years to enhance AR diagnosis and management.
The programme, backed by the Ministry of Health’s Health Innovation Fund and the JurongHealth Fund, integrates patient-reported data with AI analytics to personalise treatment and improve medication adherence. This has already led to a 45% increase in discharges from specialist outpatient care to primary care at NTFGH, optimising resource use and care transition planning.
Project ENTenna employs WhatsApp chatbots, AI-powered symptom trackers, and behavioural nudges, potentially improving medication adherence by up to 25%. Adjunct Associate Professor Ng Chew Lip, the project’s principal investigator, stated, “This is possibly the most advanced model of ENT care tapping on AI and smart communication technology in Asia.”
The programme also collaborates with A*STAR Singapore Immunology Network to explore molecular-level investigations, aiming to identify new therapeutic targets. Early findings have revealed environmental trends influencing AR symptoms, which could inform future clinical guidelines.
Future plans include expanding the project to paediatric care and vulnerable groups such as migrant workers, alongside a cost-effectiveness evaluation to support scalability across other healthcare institutions.
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