Complicated access to healthcare and a lack of guidance are keeping the Asian patients from receiving the care they need, when they need it according to a new research study.
The research from Economist Impact commissioned by Prudential revealed that patients in Asia want minimal disruption to their daily life when seeking medical care. The study Patient voices: experiences of healthcare access in Asia”, examines how people in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore access and experience healthcare services.
A press release by Prudential said the study conducted between April-May 2025 has drawn on a survey of more than 4,200 patients and interviews with leading experts. The report found that thousands of people in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore believe getting medical care is a hassle, with more than eight in 10 people admitting they delay seeking care.
The three main pain points that the Asian patients experience include:
Getting medical help is confusing: 55% of respondents say they don’t know where to access care when they have health concerns. They report difficulties with booking appointments, long wait times, and complex payment processes.
Costs are high and unclear: One-third of those surveyed said the cost of healthcare is often higher than they expected. Nearly five in 10 turn to social safety nets such as family, charities, loans, or crowdfunding. For the 80% of respondents who report they have delayed getting care, the fear of becoming a financial or care burden on loved ones was the most frequently cited reason for the delay, mentioned by 22%.
Patients aren’t getting the information they need: 55% of patients say they don’t have the right information to make decisions about their medical treatment, with almost 40% saying they use digital tools including AI for treatment guidance after initial diagnosis.
Prudential CEO health Arjan Toor said, “Asia’s patients want healthcare systems that work for them – that feel simple and easy to access, and capable of providing timely care.
“This means working closely with our healthcare partners to ensure patients feel understood and supported, while also doing our part to make the costs of healthcare clear and predictable. By making healthcare worry-free and hassle-free for people across Asia, we can help patients focus on what matters – getting better.”