Siemens Healthineers and the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore have announced a strategic partnership to enhance the diagnosis of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), affecting nearly 40% of Singaporean adults. The collaboration will explore advanced ultrasound technologies as safer, more accessible alternatives to invasive liver biopsies.
The research, led by Associate Professor Dan Yock Young, a renowned hepatologist, will focus on evaluating Siemens Healthineers’ Ultrasound-Derived Fat Fraction (UDFF) and Auto Point Shear Wave Elastography (Auto pSWE). These technologies allow for non-invasive measurement of liver fat and stiffness, offering a cost-effective alternative to MRI scans and biopsies. This initiative aims to improve early detection and monitoring, potentially transforming liver care across the region.
Vy Tran, President Asia-Pacific Japan at Siemens Healthineers, emphasised the importance of making these technologies accessible beyond tertiary hospitals, stating, “Our aim is to make ultrasound technologies accessible not only in tertiary hospitals but also at the polyclinic level.”
Associate Professor Dan Yock Young highlighted the significance of the collaboration, noting, “This collaboration represents an important step forward in addressing MASLD, which is fast emerging as a major health burden in Singapore.”
The initiative is part of the forthcoming National University Centre for Digestive Health, set to open in January 2026, which aims to enhance patient access to innovative diagnostics. This partnership combines NUH’s clinical expertise with Siemens Healthineers’ technological innovation, aiming to pioneer breakthroughs in healthcare and improve patient outcomes across the Asia Pacific region.
