Exclusive: Temus' vision for digital healthcare transformation in Singapore

Temus is on a mission to revolutionise digital healthcare in Singapore, and leading this charge is Kitty Lee, Managing Director for Healthcare at Temus. Since joining in June 2021, Lee has played a crucial role in shaping the company's vision and execution.

"Temus is a digital transformation company. We provide consulting services, build applications, deploy platforms, and offer solutions as our clients progress in their digital transformation journey," Lee said.

A Digital Champion for the Region

Founded in April 2021, Temus has grown rapidly, now employing 500 people, with most based in Singapore.

"We were built to be a digital champion for the region," Lee explained. "Our nexus of experts is anchored in Singapore, with a team of 50 in Vietnam."

Temus also benefits from global expertise through its minority investor, UST, a California-based technology firm with a strong presence in India. "When we need to leverage global capabilities for our clients, we leverage them," she added.

Driving Digital Transformation in Healthcare

Many digital transformation efforts fail because they focus too much on strategy without practical implementation or focus on technical complexities and risk losing sight of a clear business purpose or user priorities.

Lee emphasises that transformation is not just about purchasing technology but about integrating workflows, operations, and customer interactions.

In healthcare, digital and physical services must be seamlessly connected.

"Hospitals and providers shouldn't operate completely separate from their digital channels and platforms," Lee noted.

"Without user context, you're just buying technology that could confuse or frustrate your patients ."

To keep pace with rapid technological advancements, Temus continuously invests in long-term talent development. "Every day, there's a new disruption in the market," Lee said. "You don't implement for two or three years and then stop—these technologies need regular refreshes as business dynamics and industries evolve."

Temus prioritizes local talent development to ensure sustainability in the sector. "We are committed to hiring and building capabilities locally because the market needs these skills long-term," Lee said.

"We're not just importing talent – we're creating it."

True transformation, she argues, is measured not just by budget and timelines but by its real-world impact. "Did we reduce patient loads? Improve patient safety? Make the lives of nurses easier? If you don't measure impact, how do you know it was worth your time?"

The Future of Healthcare Technology

Building on these efforts, Temus envisions a future where technology empowers rather than burdens patients. "We get excited about AI and new tools, but at the end of the day, we're still dealing with people," Lee said. "Technology should empower patients, not just be another system imposed on them."

Healthcare is shifting from reactive care to proactive wellness management.

"People should feel in control of their health rather than having healthcare done to them," she explained. "Technology can support informed decision-making, especially in critical illness scenarios."

However, to achieve this vision, the sector must address key challenges. Singapore faces a healthcare manpower shortage alongside an aging population. "Hospitals and clinics must operate with fewer staff while demand increases," Lee said. "That's where AI-driven automation and smarter workflows become critical."

AI is also playing a role in improving medical precision. "As diseases become more complex, AI can help with diagnosis, risk assessment, and personalised treatment," she said. Yet, technology adoption remains a significant barrier. "Adoption isn't just about training," Lee explained.

"It's about addressing trust, usability, and integration into daily workflows. Clinicians and patients alike must see the value before they engage."

Collaboration and the Road Ahead
At Temus, collaboration is at the heart of innovation.

By working closely with sector specialists and technology providers, the company ensures that clients receive the most effective and tailored solutions.

"No single firm can do everything," says Lee. "Our philosophy is 'best foot forward' - we partner with experts to deliver optimal results."

Looking ahead, Lee emphasizes the need to keep technology user-centric. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, she warns of the risks of losing sight of the people it is meant to serve.

"If we don't, we risk losing sight of what truly matters: making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and human."

Despite the challenges, Temus remains steadfast in its commitment to transforming healthcare for the better. The company believes that technology should support people, not replace them.

"By focusing on impact, usability, and long-term talent development, we can build a healthcare system that truly serves both patients, providers, payors and life science companies alike," Lee said.