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8 in 10 people in Singapore delayed medical care to prioritise work and avoid burdening family

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  • Uncertainty over where to seek help, along with worries about cost are also major barriers
  • Better understanding of health costs and support for patients at every step are key to improving patient experiences

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 November 2025 – Recognised globally for its excellence, Singapore has built a strong healthcare system that provides efficiency and choice to patients who cite high satisfaction levels with the medical care they received. Despite this, 83 per cent of Singapore respondents said they have delayed care in the past year, according to an Economist Impact report commissioned by Prudential plc (“Prudential”).

The report, “Patient voices Singapore: towards more informed and seamless care”, found that many do so for personal reasons such as an obligation to prioritise work over self-care, and concern about being a financial or care-giving burden to family. Others felt their symptoms were not severe enough to seek help or were held back by previous bad experiences (Figure 2 in report).

Dr. Sidharth Kachroo, Chief Health Officer at Prudential Singapore, said this only compounds the problem and can escalate minor health conditions into major health and financial burdens later.

“Singapore has built a strong and well-resourced healthcare foundation. The path forward requires shifting the focus to making it a well-understood and easily accessible system for all. Support is available in both public and private sectors to provide patient choice and access to care. Payers, providers and policymakers can do more collectively to improve awareness of this support, so that patients feel more confident in seeking the care they need.”

Patients want greater clarity on where to seek care

The findings suggested that ambiguity around the healthcare journey also contributes to Singapore respondents putting off care. Sixty-one per cent of respondents said they don’t feel they have the right information to make a decision on treatment and 60 per cent said that they often don’t know where to go when something is wrong (Figure 3 in report).

Initiatives such as Healthier SG[1] which emphasise the central role of family doctors in Singapore’s integrated healthcare system help to provide clarity on where and how to start the patient journey.

Dr. Sarah Lu, Managing Director (Singapore Healthcare), Raffles Medical Group and Executive Medical Director, Raffles Hospital, said: “By actively managing our health with the help of our Family Physicians (FP), we reinforce the focus for preventive, proactive and personalised care. This sustained relationship with our FPs engages our patients to be part of a shared healthcare journey, building a strong foundation for many healthy years ahead.

“Where escalation of care is necessary, FPs play a central role coordinating and managing the health of patients together with the specialists, ensuring a smooth and integrated care journey.”

When asked about the factors that offer the greatest sense of support, confidence and peace of mind when seeking medical care, 39 per cent of respondents said that they prefer healthcare that causes minimal disruption to daily life and 31 per cent wanted guidance throughout the care process (Figure 6 in report).

Arjan Toor, CEO, Health, Prudential plc, said: “At Prudential, we believe that improving the patient experience starts with a deep understanding of what patients truly need to experience peace of mind. Our Patient Voices study has helped us understand that many patients face uncertainty and confusion when seeking care. That’s why we’re focused on removing the worry and hassle — by helping patients find the right doctor, understand what they’re covered for, and know what to expect when it comes to costs. By guiding them every step of the way, we’re making healthcare more accessible and less overwhelming — so that patients can focus on the thing that matters most, which is to get better.”

More certainty on healthcare costs is needed

Certainty around costs is another important area raised by the respondents surveyed. Despite a strong financial safety net in public and/or private health insurance, 23 per cent of those who delayed care cited cost as a reason (Figure 2 in report). Furthermore, just over six in 10 worried if they could pay for care they needed (Figure 3 in the report), while about half found bills higher than expected in the past year.

Nidhi Swarup, founding chairperson of the Alliance of Patients’ Organisations Singapore, said in the report: “The conversation about costs starts only when they’re at the emergency department. That’s when people say, ‘We didn’t expect the cost to be so high’. People need a lot of education about how to plan for unexpected medical costs.”

Singapore’s S+3M[2] is the bedrock of the country’s healthcare system and keeps essential care affordable at restructured hospitals. Those who want additional coverage at higher tier wards, or treatment at private hospitals, can consider Integrated Shield Plans to complement and offer extra cover.

The national fee benchmarks provided by the Ministry of Health, and the Health Insurance Planner[3] bill comparison tool which compares Integrated Shield Plan premiums and provides cost projections, also help individuals plan for the future.

Dr. Kachroo added: “Health insurers play a role in ensuring that policyholders get access to affordable, high-quality care. Our financial representatives help people plan how they can afford their preferred type of care and understand what’s covered or paid out-of-pocket.

“Through Prudential’s preferred panel hospital partnerships, we give our policyholders quality care and greater cost certainty as fees are agreed upfront, and our concierge officers are on-site at the hospital to clarify policy queries. These are all vital elements to a positive patient journey and experience.

“Health crises can hit when we least expect it, so our goal is simple. Provide patients in Singapore the confidence and certainty to seek the right healthcare when and where they need it most.”

About the report

“Patient voices Singapore: towards more informed and seamless care” is an Economist Impact report, commissioned by Prudential, and examines how people in Singapore experience healthcare. The analysis was based on a survey of 1,024 adults aged 18 to over 80 years old in the country between April and May 2025, and includes insights from three local experts.

The full report can be accessed here.

[1] For more information on Healthier SG: https://www.healthiersg.gov.sg/about/what-is-healthier-sg/

[2] For more information on S+3M (Subsidies, MediSave, MediShield Life and MediFund): https://www.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/keeping-healthcare-affordable/managing-medical-bills/#f3b85daa745d0ae7958389adac8cb292

[3] For more information on the Health Insurance Planner tool, please visit: https://www.cpf.gov.sg/member/tools-and-services/planners/cpf-planner-health-insurance

Hashtag: #Prudential




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore)

Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd is one of the top life and health insurance companies in Singapore, serving the financial and protection needs of the country’s citizens for 94 years. The company has an AA- Financial Strength Rating from leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s, with S$57.7 billion funds under management as at 31 December 2024. It delivers a suite of well-rounded product offerings in Protection, Savings and Investment through multiple distribution channels including a network of more than 5,400 financial representatives.

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Marriott’s 2025 Cage-Free Pledge in the Spotlight as Field Visit Raises Animal Welfare and Hygiene Concerns

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Field visit finds dead birds, eggs surrounded by faeces and fly infestations at egg farm whose operators claim to supply Marriott properties

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 April 2026 – Marriott International (Marriott) has yet to publicly confirm whether it has met its commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs across all global operations by the end of 2025. A field visit conducted in November 2025 to an egg farm whose operators stated they supply Marriott properties has documented conditions that raise serious animal welfare and hygiene concerns.

Clockwise from top left: a hen with a visible eye injury; a dead bird observed discarded outside the cage structure; flies on a surface near chicken feed troughs. Photos: Resha Juhari / INCAF / We Animals.

In 2018, Marriott committed to sourcing “100% of eggs from cage-free sources throughout the company’s global operations for all owned, managed and franchised properties by the end of 2025.”

As the deadline approached, the company issued no updates on its cage-free transition despite repeated requests. With no response forthcoming, the Indonesia Network for Compassionate Animal Farming (INCAF) and partner organisations began conducting field visits to egg farms across Asia.

Clockwise from top left: egg trays stored at floor level surrounded by excrement; accumulated waste and debris beneath the cages; the interior of the battery cage facility showing waste buildup and cobwebs across cage structures. Photos: Resha Juhari / INCAF / We Animals.
Clockwise from top left: egg trays stored at floor level surrounded by excrement; accumulated waste and debris beneath the cages; the interior of the battery cage facility showing waste buildup and cobwebs across cage structures. Photos: Resha Juhari / INCAF / We Animals.

At a farm whose operators claim to supply to Marriot properties, the following conditions were documented:
  • Eggs stored directly on the floor, surrounded by dirt, feathers and excrement
  • Swarms of flies around birds and their food
  • Accumulated faeces on and underneath cages
  • Dead birds discarded around the facility
  • Birds with severe eye injuries or blindness
  • Birds crammed into dirty wire cages
  • Poor access to water
“Marriott claims to ‘Serve Our World’ as a core value. What we documented at this farm raises serious questions about how that value is being upheld in practice,” said Frank Kembuan, Director of INCAF.

The visit is part of a broader Asia-wide movement, with organisations across multiple countries working together to promote transparency and accountability in fulfilling cage-free egg commitments, including China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Marriott has not confirmed whether this farm is part of its current supply chain. The findings in this release are based on statements made by farm operators and field observations conducted by the campaign team. Marriott was approached to verify, respond, and engage constructively prior to publication.

More information from the field visit is available at: www.helpmarriottfindasia.com/field-visit

Hashtag: #HelpMarriottFindAsia #AnimalWelfare #CorporateAccountability #EthicalSourcing #FoodSafety

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About INCAF

The Indonesia Network for Compassionate Animal Farming works to advance corporate accountability for animal welfare in Indonesia, driving transparency and progress toward cage-free supply chains. Visit

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Linklogis Releases 2025 Annual Results: Total Volume of Processed Supply Chain Assets Exceeds RMB500 Billion, Unveiling the “SC+ Platform”

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SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – On March 31, 2026, Linklogis Inc. (09959.HK, “Linklogis”) released its 2025 annual results. During the year, the total revenue and income amounted to RMB983 million. Revenue and income in the second half of the year increased significantly by 62% compared with the first half of the year, reaching RMB608 million. In 2025, the total volume of supply chain assets processed by its technology solutions reached RMB508.1 billion, representing a 27% year-on-year increase, while the number of anchor enterprises served increased to 3,145. As of the end of 2025, Linklogis had cumulatively served more than 430,000 SMEs with efficient and convenient digital inclusive fintech services. The company maintained a solid financial position, with cash reserves reaching RMB4.9 billion, while liquidity remained ample.

In addition, Linklogis has always placed shareholder interests at the core of its corporate governance, rewarding investors’ trust through sustained and tangible actions. In August 2025, the Board approved a new share repurchase program of no less than US$80 million to be implemented over a one-year period. Under this repurchase program, the company has cumulatively repurchased shares totaling HK$365 million (approximately US$47 million), demonstrating its confidence in its long-term value through concrete actions.

Focusing on Core Business, Accelerating Business Structure Optimization

In 2025, Linklogis remained focused on its core business and accelerated the optimization of its business structure. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by its technology solutions reached RMB508.1 billion, up 27% year-on-year. With a market share of 22%, the company ranked first in the industry for the sixth consecutive year. The number of anchor enterprises served increased to 3,145, including 54 of China’s Top 100 enterprises and 151 of China’s Top 500 enterprises, while the number of financial institution partners reached 428, further improving the efficiency of industry-finance collaboration.

Linklogis’ supply chain finance technology solutions include Anchor Cloud, which consists of Multi-tier Transfer Cloud, AMS Cloud and Treasury Cloud, as well as FI Cloud, which consists of ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud. In 2025, the total volume of supply chain assets processed by Anchor Cloud reached RMB369.6 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 31%. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by Multi-tier Transfer Cloud reached RMB304.2 billion, surging 47% year-on-year, with its contribution to the group’s total asset volume rising from 52% in 2024 to 60% in 2025. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by AMS Cloud, however, was RMB65.4 billion, down 13% year-on-year due to the continued decline in issuance volume in the supply chain asset securitization market.

The total volume of supply chain assets processed by FI Cloud reached RMB128.9 billion, up 20% year-on-year. Both ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud recorded solid double-digit growth in transaction volume, contributing to a 25% year-on-year increase in FI Cloud revenue. In the ABS Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB69.1 billion, rising 28% year-on-year. In the eChain Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB59.7 billion, increasing 13% year-on-year.

Linklogis focused on six key industries, including infrastructure and construction, new energy and advanced manufacturing, and worked with its subsidiary Bytter Technology to deepen targeted cross-selling, achieving breakthroughs in high-quality customer acquisition. Leveraging its one-stop comprehensive industrial-finance solutions and innovative scenario-based applications, Linklogis worked with a number of central and state-owned enterprises and leading private enterprises, including Shougang Group, China Coal Mine Construction Group Corporation and JA Solar Technology, to launch integrated industrial-finance platform projects. At the same time, it provided targeted support to 17 high-quality enterprises, including Shanghai Construction Group, Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group and Luzhou Laojiao, covering scenarios such as order financing, bill collateral, and supply chain bill transfer, supporting coordinated growth in both scale and value creation.

Building the “Second Growth Curve”, Unlocking Global Trade Finance Potential

2025 marked a pivotal year for Linklogis’ international business as the company embarked on a new chapter and accelerated the development of its “second growth curve.” During the year, Linklogis officially launched a comprehensive rebranding of its international business, introducing “Unloq” as its new identity for the global market, reflecting its vision of unlocking the potential and efficiency of global trade finance. Guided by a core strategy centered on cross-border trade corridors, scenario-based finance and technology-driven risk management, Unloq is committed to building a globally connected digital supply chain finance platform with strong local execution capabilities.

In line with its core strategy, the company has leveraged its cloud-native technology to launch the innovative “SC+ Platform”, designed to connect global real-world trade with digital finance. The “SC+” signifies its core function of connecting smart contracts with compliant digital payment instruments, forming a technology-enabled solution for global trade finance. The platform is dedicated to building the next-generation digital infrastructure for global trade finance and addressing systemic challenges in cross-border trade, including credit verification, fund turnover, and clearing and settlement efficiency. Through the platform, funders can utilize various compliant payment methods to purchase trade receivables.

To date, Unloq has completed the deployment of the core architecture of the SC+ Platform. Working with multiple commercial partners, Unloq has advanced the rollout of innovative applications leveraging compliant digital payment methods. In 2025, Linklogis successfully secured the bid for a Web3.0-based supply chain finance platform project for a leading central state-owned enterprise, marking a new milestone in its technological capabilities and industry recognition in the field of digital trade infrastructure.

In its international business, Unloq accelerated the expansion of cross-border trade services. In addition to traditional B2B goods trade, cross-border e-commerce and online travel agencies, it also expanded into cross-border logistics, bringing the total number of platform customers to 1,550, representing a net year-on-year increase of 451. With the deeper penetration of the SC+ Platform in cross-border trade finance, the continued expansion of its global localized service network, and the accelerated integration of solutions supporting Chinese enterprises’ overseas expansion, Linklogis’ cross-border and international business is expected to enter a phase of exponential growth in both asset volume and revenue in 2026, embarking on a new chapter of high-quality and sustainable development.

Advancing the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” Strategy: From Internal Empowerment to Industry Value Co-Creation

Linklogis remains committed to its “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy and continues to promote the deep integration of AI with supply chain finance across the entire value chain. Built on years of technological expertise and scenario-based refinement, its AI capabilities have evolved from internal productivity tools into a sophisticated intelligence engine that empowers the entire industrial ecosystem. By deeply integrating leading domestic large language models with its proprietary supply chain finance scenario knowledge graph and multimodal business elements, the company has systematically advanced the ongoing iteration and capability enhancement of its self-developed vertical model, LDP-GPT. Building on this foundation, Linklogis has developed the “BeeLink AI Agent” product matrix, covering more than ten core scenarios including intelligent trade document checking, intelligent PBOC registration, intelligent KYC, and intelligent risk management.

In 2025, BeeLink AI Agent continued to deliver breakthroughs in market penetration and commercialization. The number of customers served rose to 42, including domestic and overseas financial institutions and industry leaders such as Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of Hangzhou, and China Electrical Equipment Finance. Processing efficiency improved by 20 times, while accuracy in key processes reached 99%. As AI continues to evolve toward an agent-based paradigm, Linklogis will take “AI Agent+” as a strategic lever to comprehensively upgrade BeeLink AI Agent from functional tools to intelligent collaboration. It will prioritize breakthroughs in advanced capabilities such as cross-system task coordination, natural-language interactive decision-making, and adaptive workflow optimization, enabling customers to move from point intelligence to enterprise-wide intelligence, and from business insights to intelligent decision-making, thereby delivering end-to-end value across the entire value chain.

Linklogis actively responded to China’s “dual carbon” strategy and high-quality development agenda by embedding ESG principles into product innovation and the entire service lifecycle, leveraging technology to advance green finance, inclusive finance, and sustainable development. In 2025, the volume of sustainable supply chain assets served by the company exceeded RMB66.8 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 80%, with its share of total serviced assets rising from 9% in 2024 to 13% in 2025. During the year, SMEs that obtained financing through Linklogis Supply Chain Multi-tier AR Transfer Platform benefited from an average financing cost of only 2.85%. The company continued to deepen its presence in four key sectors—renewable energy, rural revitalization, environmental protection, and public health—while further expanding into sustainable sectors such as the new energy vehicle supply chain, green buildings, and the circular economy. Through these initiatives, it directed financial resources more precisely to key segments that generate both green and low-carbon benefits and strong social impact, gradually building a broader and more influential sustainable development ecosystem that integrates industry and finance.

Expanding Full-scenario Deployment, Enhancing the Smart Industrial Finance Treasury Product Matrix

Through the acquisition of Bytter Technology, Linklogis made a strategic entry into the corporate treasury management sector. By synergizing management teams and business operations, the company successfully established the Treasury Cloud product line, providing diverse customers with end-to-end treasury management services covering settlement operations, cash planning, financing management, risk monitoring, and intelligent decision-making. As a key component of Linklogis’ “Smart Industrial Finance Treasury” strategy, Treasury Cloud is anchored by a dual-engine approach powered by AI and data, and has established a comprehensive product matrix, including the F1 treasury management system and T6 cash management system for anchor enterprises, the bank treasury system for financial institutions, and the Yingzilian SaaS platform for SMEs.

Since September 11, 2025, Bytter Technology has been consolidated into the group’s financial statements. The integration of the Treasury Cloud business has been fully completed. Linklogis will continue to deepen resources integration and business collaboration between Treasury Cloud and the group’s other supply chain finance technology businesses in areas such as product R&D, channel expansion and customer service. The company will accelerate the development of an integrated, intelligent and scalable Smart Industrial Finance Treasury platform, providing customers with one-stop digital solutions covering treasury management and industrial-finance collaboration.

Charles Song, founder, Chairman and CEO of Linklogis, said: “The year 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of Linklogis. As we stand at the threshold of a new decade, we will remain firmly committed to a core strategy of being technology-driven and globally connected, while steadfastly advancing our dual-engine approach of deepening domestic industrial finance and expanding global digital trade. We will seize opportunities amid transformation and strengthen our competitive advantages through innovation. In the domestic market, we will continue to advance the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy. Anchored by the comprehensive upgrade of BeeLink AI Agent, we will accelerate AI’s evolution from scenario-based enablement to ecosystem-level collaboration. At the same time, leveraging our full-stack capabilities in Smart Industrial Finance Treasury solutions, we will continue to refine our integrated one-stop solutions, consolidate our market leadership, and ensure the steady growth of our core business. In international markets, we will accelerate the expansion of global cross-border digital trade networks through Unloq and roll out the SC+ Platform along key global trade corridors. We aim to become a key builder and connector in the ongoing digital and intelligent transformation of global trade finance. The future is already unfolding. Only the adaptable can prevail, and only the persistent can go the distance. With technology as our oar and industry as our vessel, Linklogis will continue to join forces with our partners, embarking together on the magnificent journey toward a digital and intelligent future for global industrial finance.”

Hashtag: #Linklogis

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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CK Life Sciences’ Sequencio Therapeutics Presents the Latest Vaccine Research Advancements at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – Sequencio Therapeutics Company Limited (“Sequencio”), a subsidiary of CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc. (“CK Life Sciences”), today announced that five research abstracts will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (“AACR”) Annual Meeting 2026, taking place 17–22 April 2026 in San Diego, USA.

These presentations mark Sequencio’s first major scientific unveiling since its formation and showcase significant advancements in next‑generation cancer vaccine technologies based on Sequencio’s proprietary TrueHLA™ Epitope‑to‑Efficacy™ translational design framework, which enables rational, data‑driven vaccine development across circRNA, mRNA, peptide, and protein‑based platforms.

Collectively, Sequencio’s five AACR 2026 presentations highlight a consistent theme: rationally designed cancer vaccines that demonstrate robust immunogenicity and compelling anti‑tumour activity across multiple targets and modalities in preclinical models. These data underscore the strength of Sequencio’s approach to translating antigen selection into functional immune responses and tumour control. Building on this foundation, Sequencio is prioritizing its most promising programs for IND‑enabling studies, with the goal of accelerating select vaccine candidates into early‑stage clinical development through strategic partnerships and global collaboration.

Dr Melvin Toh, Vice President & Chief Scientific Officer of CK Life Sciences, expressed, “Sequencio’s cancer vaccine pipeline continues to advance with strong momentum. Our AACR 2026 presentations underscore both the scientific promise of our vaccines and the disciplined execution driving their progress. We look forward to building on this foundation as we advance next‑generation immunotherapies for patients.”

The AACR Annual Meeting is a gathering central to the global cancer research community, bringing together scientists, clinicians, other healthcare professionals, survivors, patients and advocates every year to share the latest breakthroughs and developments in cancer science and medicine. Last year, the 2025 Annual Meeting attracted 22,100 in-person participants from 85 countries.

Scientific Poster Presentations by Sequencio Therapeutics at AACR 2026

All five posters will be presented on 21 April 2026.

1. p53 Modified Shared Neoantigen Vaccine (Poster Number: 4361)

Title: Single amino acid residue substitution to improve immunogenicity of HLA peptides targeting p53 neoantigen

Authors: Chi Han Samson Li, Hong Wang, Kin Tak Chan, Genwei Zhang, Zhenghui Wang, Lipeng Lai, Melvin Toh

2. IGF1R Cancer Vaccine (Poster Number: 4368)

Title: Vaccine targeting IGF1R induces neutralizing antibody and robust anti‑tumor activity in a syngeneic mouse colon cancer model

Authors: Kenneth Nansheng Lin, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang

3. B7‑H3 Cancer Vaccine (Poster Number: 4369)

Title: B7-H3 vaccine induces robust humoral and cellular immunity and inhibits tumor growth in mice

Authors: Kenneth Nansheng Lin, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang

4. TROP2 circRNA + IL‑7 Combination Vaccine (Poster Number: 4370)

Title: TROP2‑circular RNA vaccine and IL7 synergistically inhibit TROP2+ tumor growth in mouse models

Authors: Zirong He, Yanan Li, Antong Li, Xiaoxuan Liu, Kenneth Nansheng Lin, Fan Yan Meng, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang

5. Claudin‑6 Cancer Vaccine (Poster Number: 4375)

Title: Claudin 6 vaccines effectively inhibit tumor growth in a syngeneic mouse colon cancer model

Authors: Na Wang, Lam Chow, Melvin Toh, Hong Wang

Hashtag: #CKLifeSciences #Sequencio #CancerVaccines #R&D #Pharmaceutical #AACR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc.

CK Life Sciences Int’l., (Holdings) Inc. (stock code: 0775) is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. With a mission of improving the quality of life, CK Life Sciences is engaged in healthcare research and development, with operating businesses that enable its R&D sustainability. Regarding pharmaceutical research and development, CK Life Sciences’ operations are focused on conducting research and development into cancer vaccines, RNA therapeutics and pain management solutions. CK Life Sciences is a member of the CK Hutchison Group. For additional information, please visit .

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