Suhailin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Director, Clinical Informatics, Synapxe, Singapore

1) How do you use your role to ensure that technology and policy are truly inclusive?

In my role as a Clinical Informatics professional, I act as a bridge between clinicians,

policymakers, and technologists to ensure that digital health solutions truly serve everyone.

With my experience as a frontline clinician and in computer science, I approach system design with empathy and technical precision, keeping clinicians’ and patients’ needs in mind.

I advocate for policies and data standards that support inclusive, accurate, and representative clinical data within national health data systems, ensuring no patient population is left out and that all healthcare providers, regardless of institution type, can contribute to and benefit from a shared health ecosystem.

2) What’s a moment in your career when you saw firsthand how technology or a new policy changed a citizen’s life for the better?

A memorable moment was seeing how improved data integration helped a patient with multiple chronic conditions receive safer, more coordinated care across institutions.

When clinicians could view her complete medical history - from lab tests and medications to prior visits - it prevented duplicate tests and adverse drug interactions.

Witnessing how technology directly supported clinical decisions and improved patient safety reaffirmed my belief in the value of data quality and interoperability in transforming care delivery.

3) What was the most impactful project you worked on this year, and how did you measure its success in building trust and serving the needs of the public?

This year, I focused on enhancing the accuracy and completeness of clinical data contributed to a shared health data platform.

The project aimed to improve data integrity across multiple healthcare systems, ensuring clinicians can trust the information they rely on for patient care.

The success of the project was measured not only through improved data validation metrics but also through clinician feedback.

Greater confidence in the reliability of the clinical data means better decisions, smoother workflows, and ultimately, safer care for the public.

4) What was one unexpected lesson you learned this year about designing for real people?

I learned that technology adoption isn't just about functionality; it is about trust and emotional connection.

Even well-designed systems can face resistance if users feel unheard.

Through user engagement sessions with clinicians, I discovered that early, consistent communication and co-design are key.

Real inclusivity means designing with users, not just for them. Listening to their frustrations and incorporating minor workflow improvements and changes often results in the biggest impact.

5) We hear a lot about AI. What’s a practical example of how AI can be used to make government services more inclusive and trustworthy?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help enhance the inclusivity of healthcare services by using predictive analytics to identify at-risk populations who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

For example, AI could flag patients who are overdue for screenings or medication refills, enabling proactive outreach by healthcare teams.

Transparency in how these models work, coupled with strong governance and clinician oversight, builds trust and ensures that AI supports equitable access to care rather than reinforcing bias.

6) How are you preparing for the next wave of change in the public sector? What new skill, approach, or technology are you most excited to explore in the coming year?

The future of healthcare is moving rapidly toward precision and preventive medicine, driven by the integration of genomics, AI, and national health data systems.

For clinical informatics professionals, this evolution highlights the need to build expertise in genomic data governance, interoperability, and ethical AI applications, alongside competencies in translational informatics to bridge genetic insights with clinical workflows.

As genetic data becomes part of routine care, I am focusing on data ethics, standards for genomic exchange, and multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure technology remains inclusive, trustworthy, and clinically meaningful in advancing personalised healthcare.

What excites me most is the potential to combine human insight with advanced analytics to deliver care that is more predictive, equitable, and customised.

7) What advice do you have for public sector innovators who want to build a career focused on serving all citizens?

Understand the mission before the technology.

Innovation in the public sector isn’t about creating something new; it is about solving meaningful problems for people.

To subscribe to the GovInsider bulletin, click here.

Be curious, be patient, and build partnerships across disciplines. Empathy, communication, and resilience are as essential as technical skills.

Always ask: Who benefits, and who might be left behind? True innovation includes everyone.

8) Who inspires you to build a more inclusive and trustworthy public sector?

I am inspired by the clinicians on the ground who continue to deliver compassionate care despite challenges and change.

Their commitment reminds me that technology must serve as a helper, not a barrier.

I am also inspired by public health leaders who champion data transparency and patient empowerment—they exemplify how trust and inclusion can coexist with innovation.

9) Outside tech, what excites you the most?

I’m passionate about mentoring young professionals and helping them navigate the intersection of healthcare and technology.

Outside of work, I enjoy creative storytelling and professional video editing - they remind me to observe the world with empathy and curiosity.

These pursuits keep me grounded and continually remind me why human-centred design matters in everything we do.