News and Insights

Healthier SG is Singapore’s new long-term healthcare strategy aiming to shift focus from treating illness to preventing it. With an ageing population and rising costs, the government plans to strengthen primary care, especially through family doctors, incentivize healthy lifestyles, and adopt new data systems and funding models. The initiative starts with older residents and aims to yield meaningful results over the next 8–10 years.

Brazil’s public health system is underfunded. Bolsonaro promises continuity but has cut key programs and funding. Lula proposes restoring services and increasing investment, but lacks details. Both offer vague plans.

Businesses can play a key role in shaping policies that support open markets and entrepreneurship, especially in emerging markets. Success depends on understanding local political, economic, and social dynamics, finding shared interests with governments and the public, choosing the right engagement strategy, and building alliances—even for smaller companies.

Silvia Ardila from Speyside Group highlights that effective PR measurement should focus on impact, not just numbers. Instead of counting clippings or clicks, companies should analyze their market position, set clear goals, and track meaningful engagement with target audiences. Tools like in.sight help guide this process.

Speyside Group has announced the appointment of Joel Tng and Tom Srirattanan as Senior Consultants to support growing client demand in Asia Pacific, particularly in healthcare and digital policy. Joel will be based in Singapore, bringing regulatory expertise from urban planning, while Tom joins the Thailand office with experience in fiscal affairs and ASEAN collaboration.

President Gustavo Petro has prioritized Colombia’s transition to clean energy, but this presents significant challenges given the country’s reliance on oil and coal exports. Proposed tax reforms and restrictions on new exploration signal a shift in energy policy, but concerns remain about economic impacts, energy security, and the short-term feasibility of the transition.

Pelosi’s Taiwan visit highlighted US-China tensions but overshadowed broader US efforts to re-engage Southeast Asia. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), though limited, signals renewed US interest in the region’s economic and strategic future.

Thai PM Prayut survived a no-confidence vote, but deep political fractures remain. Tensions among top military leaders, coalition party conflicts, and a pending court ruling on Prayut’s term threaten government stability ahead of the 2023 elections.

Speyside Group has appointed Saskia Kendall as Chief Operating Officer for its Asia Pacific business, based in Singapore. With nearly 20 years of experience in policy, public affairs, and communications, Saskia will oversee operations across Southeast Asia, supporting the consultancy’s continued growth in healthcare and digital sectors.

India’s early and strict COVID-19 lockdown helped slow the virus but caused major economic disruption, especially for informal workers. The government launched a stimulus equal to 10% of GDP, focused mainly on credit and reforms in sectors like agriculture and mining. However, public spending remains low, and challenges like rising unemployment, weak healthcare, and struggling industries persist.

At the 75th WHO Assembly, the Global Self-Care Federation revealed that self-care could save $120 billion annually and recover over 40 billion productive days. However, many, especially in Latin America, lack the confidence and knowledge to practice it. Countries like the UK and Germany are leading with education and digital healthcare initiatives to promote self-care.

Healthcare communication must align with strict regulations and patient needs, especially in Latin America’s top markets like Brazil and Mexico. Speyside emphasizes integrated strategies, collaboration with patient groups, and using platforms like TikTok to deliver clear, ethical messages.