Southeast Asia faces uneven urology access as demand outpaces specialists

Some hospitals lack maintenance and consumables for advanced procedures.

Southeast Asia’s urology services are under strain as specialist care remains concentrated in major cities, leaving rural and secondary hospitals short of capacity amidst rising demand.

“The shortage of urologists in Southeast Asia really reflects the broader diversity and imbalance across healthcare systems in the region,” Wong Yau Chung, group CEO at Advanced MedTech Holdings, told Healthcare Asia.. “The challenge is not just about absolute shortages, but also uneven distribution.”

Wong cited Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam as markets where patient demand is increasing faster than specialist supply, whilst more developed systems such as Singapore, Japan, and China have stronger clinical capacity.

“Different countries operate at different levels of maturity, which means hospitals face varying constraints in terms of funding, access, and readiness to adopt new technologies,” he said in an emailed reply to questions.

Wong said the imbalance is driving heavier caseloads in urban hospitals, longer waiting times, and growing pressure on clinicians handling complex procedures. Ageing populations and rising metabolic disease rates are also lifting demand for urology services across the region, he said.

“The demand is rising faster than the system’s ability to adapt; not just in terms of beds or equipment, but in terms of people, workflows, and integration,” Kenneth Chen, an associate professor and chairman of the Robotic Surgery Committee at Singapore General Hospital, said in an emailed reply to questions.

He said hospitals are facing not only higher patient volumes but also more complex cases that require specialised skills.

“In urology specifically, increasing procedural complexity such as laser, robotics, and minimally invasive surgical techniques requires highly trained teams,” Chen said.

He added that manpower constraints persist even in systems that have expanded operating capacity, with shortages most visible in specialist support roles across surgical and outpatient care.

Urology cases are also becoming more chronic, increasing long-term pressure on services, Chen said. He cited kidney stones requiring repeated follow-up, alongside benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer requiring surveillance and management.

“The typical urology patients that we see now are older and have multiple comorbidities like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease, translating to higher peri-operative risk,” Chen said.

He said infrastructure gaps also limit delivery of advanced urology treatment, even where equipment is available. “It’s not simply a lack of technology; it’s a lack of systems that support that technology,” he added.

Chen said endourology services depend on lasers, consumables, maintenance systems, and trained support staff working together, which is inconsistent across the region.

“In many parts of Southeast Asia, one or more of these components is missing, and that limits what you can actually deliver,” he said.

Wong said hospitals are increasingly using workflow tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to manage demand pressures. He cited UroGPT, developed by Dornier MedTech GmbH, which helps manage routine patient communication before and after procedures.

Wong said AI is best positioned in support roles for now, whilst clinicians retain decision-making authority. “AI in healthcare will evolve incrementally, not disruptively,” he said.

He added that Advanced MedTech Holdings provides endourology laser systems through distribution partnerships and is expanding single-use devices and consumables for hospitals with limited infrastructure.

Wong said structured training remains essential, with partnerships across hospitals and universities ensuring consistent procedural standards.

Chen said the key shift required is not only expanding capacity but redesigning care delivery systems.

“The next step forward isn’t simply more capacity; it’s smarter systems—better triaging, stronger community care, and more efficient use of technology,” he said.