Kuala Lumpur, 21 March 2023 – Dear Kyra, a digital health startup focused on improving women’s health by making sexual and reproductive healthcare services more accessible, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Medical University (IMU) to collaborate on Education & Training, Research & Development and Community Engagement in the field of digital health.
The collaboration will enable both entities to combine their expertise, knowledge, and resources to drive innovation and advance the healthcare industry in Malaysia. Under the MoU, Dear Kyra and IMU will work together on various initiatives, including developing new digital health solutions, conducting clinical trials, and advancing research in digital health. The collaboration will also focus on enhancing the use of technology in healthcare delivery and education, promoting health literacy among Malaysians, and providing training and development opportunities to aspiring healthcare professionals.
David Ong Cherk Yong, a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy from IMU, together with Loh Hui Lin co-founded Dear Kyra after identifying a pressing need in the community where many women are facing difficulties in accessing the healthcare services they require.
Despite the availability of digital technology and on demand delivery services that allow people to get almost anything they want from the comfort of their homes; sexual and reproductive health services continue to be limited due to social taboos and stigma.
Dear Kyra recognises this demand and is committed to provide services in areas of health that are often considered sensitive, stigmatised, or inaccessible. “Ultimately, Dear Kyra aims to become a digital front door that complements and enhances the healthcare experience in Malaysia,” commented Loh Hui Lin, who is an IMU pharmacy alumna, pharmacist and co-founder of Dear Kyra.
“We are grateful for the education and training we received at the IMU, which provided us a strong foundation for our careers and entrepreneurial journey. We are a living testament to the quality of education and nurturing environment that IMU provides, and we are proud to partner with the IMU to shape the future of the healthcare industry,” said David Ong.
Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Baba, Vice-Chancellor of IMU (in the photo above) added, “This partnership aligns with our ASPIRE III Strategic Goal 3 – To Advance Health Through Innovation, where Digital Health is identified as one of the niche areas. We are pleased to collaborate with Dear Kyra who has converged digital technology with healthcare to offer solutions to those who need it. This partnership will also provide opportunities to improve medical outcomes and enhance efficiency.”
| About Dear Kyra Sdn Bhd | ||
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| Founded in 2022, Dear Kyra is a patient-driven digital healthcare platform empowering women to take control of their health and wellbeing. Best known for providing online access and on-demand delivery for birth control and STD services. The startup is committed to developing innovative technology and delivering delightful user experiences to enhance accessibility and convenience in healthcare for all Malaysians.
Dear Kyra was selected by the Penang Start-Up Accelerator Programme year 2022 and is currently undergoing capital fundraising with Vincaps Capital. |
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