According to the report, “To alleviate the shortage of medical personnel, Kawamura Hospital in Gifu City is supporting patients with foreign talent (Gifu Chan DIGITAL, 2024/12/20)”, a specific skilled worker from Myanmar dreams of opening a nursing home in his home country in the future.
The nursing care business in Southeast Asian countries has the following prospects, taking into account the unique social, economic, and cultural backgrounds of the region.
1.Increasing demand due to the aging population
- The countries of Southeast Asia (ASEAN) are experiencing rapid economic growth and improvements in medical standards, which are resulting in longer average life expectancies and an aging population.
- Example: Ageing rates are rising sharply in Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
- Thailand in particular is entering a “super-aging society,” and demand for nursing care services is on the rise.
- Traditionally, care was provided mainly by family members, but with the advancement of urbanization and the trend toward nuclear families, there is now a demand for specialized nursing care services.
2.Expansion of the nursing care service market due to the rise of the middle class
- As the economy grows, the middle class is expanding and more households can afford to purchase high-quality nursing care services.
- In particular, private nursing care facilities and home nursing care services are attracting attention, especially in urban areas, and demand for premium services is also increasing.
3.Demand and potential for Japanese-style nursing care
- Japan’s high-quality nursing care techniques and know-how are also highly regarded in Southeast Asian countries.
- The Japanese government and companies are working with Southeast Asian countries through nursing care worker training programs, aiming to popularize the Japanese model of nursing care.
- Specific example: In Thailand and Vietnam, Japanese companies are expanding nursing care facilities and training personnel.
4.Collaboration between foreign and local companies
- Foreign companies (especially from Japan and Korea) are entering the local nursing care market and partnering with local companies to operate facilities and develop human resources.
- This collaboration leads to the provision of nursing care services that respect local culture and values, and supports the establishment of a business model that is suited to the region.
5.Improving nursing care efficiency through technological innovation
- Nursing care services that utilize technology are also attracting attention in Southeast Asia.
- Examples: Home care systems that utilize nursing robots, remote medical care, and IoT devices.
- In particular, Singapore and Malaysia are promoting the introduction of smart nursing care through government initiatives, and other ASEAN countries are following suit.
6.Addressing the labor shortage
- There is a significant shortage of caregivers in Southeast Asian countries, and there is an urgent need to develop high-quality caregivers.
- International human resource movement (for example, foreign caregivers who have received training in Japan and are now working in their home countries) is also expected.
- In some countries, educational institutions specializing in the nursing care field have been established, and systems for obtaining professional qualifications are being put in place.
7.Government policy support
- In order to cope with the aging population, governments around the world are investing in and improving legislation in the nursing care sector.
- Thailand: Introduced tax incentives for elderly care.
- Singapore: Established a public nursing care insurance system and expanded subsidy systems.
- Malaysia: Provided incentives to support the construction of facilities for the elderly.
8.Challenges and Risks
- Cultural factors: In areas where caregiving has traditionally been provided by family members, there may be little understanding of nursing care services.
- Lack of human resources: If the training of human resources with specialized nursing care skills cannot keep up, market growth may be hindered.
- Urban-rural disparities: Even if services are widespread in urban areas, nursing care infrastructure may not be well developed in rural areas.
Summary
Supported by the region’s unique aging population and economic growth, the nursing care business in Southeast Asian countries has the potential to expand significantly in the future. Sustainable growth is expected by providing services that are tailored to local cultures and needs while utilizing Japanese-style nursing care and technological innovation. At the same time, it is necessary to proactively address issues such as human resource development and infrastructure development.