Across Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO), countries face various healthcare challenges, including the prevalence of chronic diseases, uneven healthcare access, rising cost of living, a lack of healthcare professionals, and an ageing population.

At Samsung Electronics, we are committed to using technology to drive innovation and create meaningful solutions where they are needed the most. We understand that true progress requires fostering a culture of problem-solving where individuals, especially young innovators, are empowered to develop solutions that make a difference.

Samsung’s Corporate Citizenship initiatives such as the Solve For Tomorrow program, are powerful platforms for aspiring innovators to focus their creativity and technological ingenuity on developing innovations that not only benefit their community, but also address societal issues, such as those found in healthcare.

This World Health Day, we celebrate our young innovators who are building solutions that aim to address the most pressing healthcare challenges of today.

Young minds, breakthrough solutions

Gabriel refined Pill-Bot through experimentation and testing

Across the SEAO region, students from as young as 12 years old are devising solutions to enhance healthcare accessibility and effectiveness. Gabriel Anthony, a 12-year-old from Whitby Collegiate in New Zealand was awarded first prize in the Year 7 to 10 category at the Solve for Tomorrow New Zealand 2024 competition with his invention, Pill-Bot. It is an artificial intelligence (AI) medication identifier designed for the visually impaired, inspired by his grandmother’s experience of taking the wrong medication. His innovative approach involves training an AI bot to recognise different types of pills and verbally announce their names to provide patients, especially those with visual impairment, an additional way to identify their medication before ingesting them.

SilentGuide processes spoken words directed at an individual and transcribes them into subtitles

In Singapore, Team redbluegold made up of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) students Aiden Lim and Karan Gopu Pillai claimed victory in Singapore’s Solve for Tomorrow 2024 competition with SilentGuide—a pair of smart glasses that transcribes spoken words into subtitles, helping people with hearing impairment participate more meaningfully in social conversations. Inspired by a classmate with hearing impairment who struggled to maintain a two-way conversation in a noisy classroom, the team set out to create a solution that functions independently without an internet connection, and is comfortable to wear, user-friendly and affordable.

Cough Aid can be used anywhere and at any time, easing access to preliminary screening and boosting the chances of individuals receiving timely treatment

Meanwhile in Thailand, Team Kao Kee’s Cough Aid innovation emerged as one of the finalists in the Solve for Tomorrow 2024 competition in Thailand. This web application relies on AI technology to analyse cough sounds and preliminary diagnose respiratory diseases, potentially enabling earlier treatment and better health outcomes. In a region where respiratory conditions remain prevalent, such early-warning systems could prove transformative.

Recognising these talented young minds as a glimpse into the future of industries such as healthcare, participants in the Solve for Tomorrow program receive mentorship from industry experts, alongside access to innovative technology and resources to help transform their concepts into reality.

Transforming healthcare through technology

Everyday wellness at a glance with Samsung Health[1].

At Samsung, we believe that technology has the power to enhance everyday life. Galaxy users can benefit from the Energy Score[2] in the Samsung Heath app[3], which provides holistic insights through multiple health indicators including sleep, heart health, and physical activity. When paired with the , users can enjoy comprehensive health tracking throughout the day and night, enhancing the accuracy and ease of sleep tracking.

The offers more advanced capabilities suited for users interested in a broader spectrum of health insights—from Electrocardiogram (ECG)[4] to Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)[5]. Connect these to a Galaxy smartphone, such as the latest , allows users to receive actionable insights to improve their well-being.

Building a healthier future together

The intersection of youthful innovation and established technology can offer unexpected breakthroughs that address the healthcare challenges of today; solutions that improve accessibility, enhance prevention, and enable early intervention are becoming increasingly vital.

Samsung remains committed to advancing healthcare innovation through a dual approach that includes empowering young problem-solvers through programs like Solve for Tomorrow, while continuing to develop innovations that support users’ wellness goals.

This World Health Day, we celebrate not just the innovations of today, but the possibilities of these innovations—and the brilliant minds behind them—to create a healthier tomorrow for all.

[1] Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Devices and screen images are simulated for illustrative purposes. UX/UI may vary depending on software version, model, region and other factors.

[2] Available on select Android phones (Android 10 or above), requires Samsung Health App (V6.27 or above) and Samsung Account login. User must register a Galaxy Watch (Watch4 or later) or Galaxy Ring. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.

[3] Requires Samsung Health app version 6.24 or later. Galaxy Watch7 must be paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with Android 11. The Samsung Health app is not a medical/therapeutic device. It is solely intended for fitness and wellness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions; or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease; or for the prevention or control of conception or pregnancy. Samsung recommends that you consult with your doctor or physician before participating in any exercise program. Must be paired with a compatible Galaxy smartphone

[4] The ECG feature is intended to create, record, store, transfer, and display a single channel electrocardiogram (ECG), similar to a Lead I ECG for adults 22 years and older. The ECG feature is not intended to replace traditional methods of diagnosis or treatment. The ECG feature is not intended for users with other known arrhythmias. If an irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation is detected, consult a doctor. If you experience symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular conditions, do not rely on the notification of the device and consult a doctor. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, WORSEN OR CHANGE UNEXPECTEDLY, TALK TO YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

[5] Compatible smartphones and available features may vary by country/region, carrier or device. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis or treatment. Intended for general wellness and fitness purposes only. Body composition is only supported in Samsung Galaxy Watch4 series and later released Galaxy Watch models. Body composition should not be used if you have an implanted pacemaker or other implanted medical devices, or if you are pregnant. Any health-related information accessed through the device and application should not be treated as medical advice. Measurement results may not be accurate if you are under 20 years old. The measurements are for your personal reference only. Please consult a medical professional for advice.

The theme of this year’s World Health Day – Our Planet, Our Health – demonstrates the understanding that human health is deeply interconnected with environmental health. Through the Galaxy Upcycling program, Samsung Electronics has been on a mission to develop innovative, sustainable practices that not only preserve the planet’s resources but also bridge barriers to accessible and affordable health care.

In recognition of World Health Day, Samsung is looking back at the first year of the program’s implementation, which has upcycled hundreds of secondhand Galaxy devices and provided basic eye care for over 3,000 patients in Morocco, India and Papua New Guinea.

Upcycling Galaxy Technology into Diagnosis Cameras

Globally, 1.1 billion people suffer from vision loss – 90% of which live in low- and middle-income countries and lack access to affordable and quality eye health care. To address this, Samsung has partnered with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) to transform old and unused Galaxy technology into medical diagnosis cameras called EYELIKE fundus cameras, which allow both medical and non-medical professionals to screen patients for conditions that may lead to blindness.

“We are proud of our team at Samsung who helped infuse upcycled technology to diagnose visual impairment in patients through the EYELIKE platform,” said Dr. Aloknath De, Executive Consulting Director, Open Innovation of Samsung R&D Institute in Bangalore.

Establishing Accessible Eye Care Services in Morocco

Since the introduction of EYELIKE in Morocco, Samsung has partnered with Global Care and 21 other organizations – including public health centers and private clinics – to repurpose 60 units of older smartphones into the EYELIKE Fundus Camera.

“In Morocco, we lack medical personnel and ophthalmic medical equipment, so I’m optimistic EYELIKE will bring huge benefits – especially to patients who live in remote regions,” said optician Mohcine Ait Hida.

Local optometrists have been using the camera to screen over 2,028 patients and provide post-diagnosis care, including prescribing glasses for 128 people, scheduling follow-up appointments with 205 people and connecting 50 people to eye hospitals for additional medical treatment.

Conducting Patient Outreach Programs in India

Recognizing that blindness is a prevailing problem in India, Samsung has upcycled nearly 200 units of secondhand smartphones and provided them to local hospitals. This innovative approach has proved to be a breakthrough for patients like Jamuna Prasad who has been repeatedly prescribed glasses for his declining eyesight for over a year. After his eyes were checked with the EYELIKE Fundus Camera at the Primary Eye Care Center at Sitapur Eye Hospital, he finally received a correct diagnosis of diabetic retinopathyAccording to his optometrists, Jamuna’s eyesight has been improving ever since.

At the same time, many patients living in remote communities don’t always have the same access that Jamuna Prasad had to a vision center. Thanks to the portable nature of the cameras, optometrists can travel to remote villages through outreach programs and screen people for potential eye diseases. As a result of the EYELIKE Fundus Camera, over 1,000 patients in India have received screenings through both local medical institutions and outreach programs.  

Training Medical Staff in Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, health care facilities often struggle to find trained eye doctors and vital equipment necessary for treating retinal diseases. This situation is only being exacerbated by the prevalence of blindness across the country. For a population of over 9 million, there are only 14 trained ophthalmologists and three fundus cameras nationwide.

“Thanks to the partnership program and the EYELIKE fundus cameras, we now have enough cameras to expand care and screening services on a national scale,” said Dr. Jambi Garap, President of the National Prevention of Blindness Committee and the Lecturer in Ophthalmology at University of Papua New Guinea. “We’re currently training doctors in hopes that they can help diagnose patients nationally and improve people’s understanding of the illnesses they have.”

The EYELIKE program is helping to fill the health equity gap by training doctors and other clinic staff, even in rural communities, to screen patients using the device. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions causing a delay in patient screenings, Dr. Garap looks forward to resuming these screenings this year. She hopes to dispatch additional trainers to rural communities to provide staff with further training, in addition to conducting research on rare eye disorders such as Eales disease with the EYELIKE devices.

Advancing Samsung’s Sustainability Vision

As part of its mission to harness technology for good by positively impacting both people and the planet, Samsung plans to elevate this partnership through continuous technical support and open collaboration to allow for the continued nationwide training and screening of patients.

Samsung is dedicated to delivering innovative technologies that help build a better future and empower users to adopt more sustainable practices. This also includes taking tangible actions to reduce our environmental impact and reshape consumer experiences through our sustainability platform, Galaxy for the Planet. EYELIKE specifically helps Samsung minimize its environmental impact by supporting its goal to achieve zero waste to landfills and reduce e-waste by 2025.