Connecting Care with Clicks 2025 brought together some of the region’s sharpest minds in healthcare to unpack the trends shaping tomorrow: from interoperability and AI to healthcare marketing and medical tourism.
This year, Connecting Care with Clicks 2025 was held at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur, the one-day summit was attended by a packed room of healthcare professionals, industry players, and innovators across the public, private and digital health sectors. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, ideas, and the shared drive to shape better care delivery through smarter strategy and technology.
A Front-Row Seat to the Future of Healthcare
The day kicked off with a keynote by Dr. Mahesh Appannan and Datuk Dr. Kuljit Singh, setting the tone for a day of solution-focused conversations. Embracing the spirit of collaboration, the two leaders took the stage together in a candid shared address, an impromptu decision that embodied the very essence of the event.
Dr. Mahesh called for reevaluating and adopting new approaches. “Now we want new reform in the digital health sector. We want new minds coming in, trying to see how we can improve.”
Datuk Dr. Kuljit shared his observations. “I feel this is one of the best platforms, where everyone is able to sit together, exchange ideas, while networking and learning from others who have done something differently than what you are doing.”
“No voice is wrong, no voice is right. We all learn together. Everyone has a voice to look forward to our betterment of our healthcare in Malaysia.”
A Live Podcast on Smarter Digitalisation
This was followed by a podcast session featuring Dr. Melvin Heng, Dr. Ramon Varughese, and Mr. Shahril Ariffin, moderated by CEO of Medical Channel Asia, Jason Lim. Streamed in real-time on MCA’s YouTube channel, the session unpacked how digitalisation and accessibility can transform Malaysia’s healthcare landscape.
During the live podcast session, Dr. Melvin Heng touched on the often-overlooked complexity of interoperability in healthcare systems. “It comes down to the objectivity of what you really need to run your business across geographies or across sites,” he said, emphasising that not every organisation requires the same level of digital infrastructure.
He elaborated on the importance of identifying what is truly essential – arguing that the most effective digitalisation strategies are those tailored to an organisation’s specific operational needs and long-term goals.
Their in-depth discussion explored how the nation’s health systems can evolve to meet both local demands and global expectations.
Raising Standards of Medical Tourism While Keeping Care Within Reach
A key highlight of the day was the International Medical Tourism panel, which followed a passionate presentation by Dato’ Sri Dr. Vincent Tiew on KL Wellness City’s vision to be a the first fully integrated, purpose-built township for health and wellness in Southeast Asia.
He was then joined by Prof Dato’ Dr. Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, Dr. Melvin Heng, and Mr Tan Kay Pau, with Jason Lim moderating the discussion. This high-powered panel brought together public and private sector voices to discuss Malaysia’s potential as a leading destination for medical tourism. From infrastructure and branding to patient experience and cross-border partnerships, the conversation offered a multi-dimensional look at what it takes to attract international patients while raising the bar for local care.
Healthcare Leadership: Balancing Results, People,
Later in the day, the Healthcare Leadership Summit brought together senior figures from across hospital groups and government, including Dr. Mahesh Appanan, Dr. Michael Leddin, Dr. Ng Lee Li, Dr. Vicknesh Krishnan, and Mr. Samuel Ho.
Led by moderator Mr. Daniel Lee, each speaker shared candid reflections from their leadership journeys, spanning clinical, corporate, and policy domains, and offered hard-won lessons on navigating change, building teams, and staying grounded in purpose.
A standout moment came towards the end, when the panel tackled a question on how leaders balance business with the deeper calling to serve communities – especially when impact is not immediately measurable or larger teams are not aligned. It was a fitting reminder that leadership in healthcare is as much about values as it is about results.
Lessons from the Medi-Influencers
Attendees also got a rare inside look into healthcare content creation through two “Playbook” sessions featuring well-known medi-influencers such as Dr. Amanda Elli (Dr. Unicorn), Dr. Azhar Ahmad, Dr. Malwinder Singh, Dr. Maiza Tusimin, Dato’ Dr. Tikfu Gee, and Dr. Lim Ing Kien (Dr. Ingky). While these sessions were among the top-rated last year, this year’s edition brought even more depth and variety.
This year, we welcomed the diverse perspective brought by Mr Jeremiah Chin, a strategic healthcare consultant from Singapore who has also found success as a 75-year-old content creator – proving it’s never too late to start.
Dato’ Dr. Tikfu Gee, a familiar face from last year’s panel, echoed that spirit of possibility, sharing how he has guided fellow healthcare professionals to grow their presence online. “Always be as authentic as you can. It’s not only about credibility – what patients want from you is reliability.”
“Be consistent with your posts. Be professional. The harder you sell, the further away you are from credibility.”
For the audience, the takeaway was clear: no matter when or where you start – as long as you stay true to your voice, it can be done.
Staying Compliant in a Content-Driven World
In Spot the Red Flag: The Do’s and Don’ts of Healthcare Marketing, panellists Ms. Genevieve Vanniasingham and Dr. Chang Chee Seong unpacked some of the most common missteps in healthcare content – from overpromising outcomes to overlooking subtle regulatory red lines.
Through an interactive, case-based format, the audience put their judgment to the test with 10 deceptively simple case studies – each revealing just how easy it is to get tripped up. Ms Genevieve, with her medico-legal expertise, shared generous insights into the legal nuances, while Dr. Chang offered a relatable clinician’s take, blending professional experience with real-world examples.
Their session left attendees with clear, practical guidance for navigating today’s complex compliance landscape.
The Energy Between the Sessions
Beyond the bustling in the ballroom, the energy never dipped. From the first coffee of the morning to the final wrap-up, the exhibitor zone remained a hive of activity. Attendees mingled freely, explored interactive booths, and sparked meaningful conversations that extended far beyond the day’s agenda.
Special shoutout to our booth sponsors who brought their A-game to the floor:
KL Wellness City, Alpha Fertility, Gene Solutions, WeAssist, and Quantum Advisors – each showcasing innovations and ideas that are shaping the future of healthcare.
WeAssist added an extra dose of fun with a lively interactive giveaway, drawing crowds and smiles throughout the day. An interactive photobooth kept spirits high (and phones out), while enthusiastic networking turned strangers into collaborators, colleagues – and in many cases, friends.
Until Next Time
From thought-provoking panels to new friendships forged in the halls, Connecting Care with Clicks 2025 proved that the appetite for innovation, collaboration, and bold ideas in healthcare has never been stronger.
The overwhelmingly positive response from attendees, speakers, and partners has only fuelled our drive to push boundaries further. Stay tuned to our social channels for updates on future editions!
Check out the Connecting Care With Clicks 2025 Event Page for post-event updates.
Read more about Connecting Care With Clicks 2024.
