Inspiration
We were inspired by one of our teammate’s siblings, a pharmacist, who works in a high-stress environment. Every day, she faces endless repetitive questions about the same few medications and financial subsidies—leaving her drained by admin tasks instead of focusing on patient care. We were inspired to build something that solves a problem we hold close to our hearts, and could break this cycle of anxiety and burnout, while also helping patients by simplifying the process of getting clear, reliable answers.
What it does
HealthBOTline is a 24/7, multilingual chatbot that lives on Telegram. It answers patients’ most common questions—like what subsidies they can use for various consultation and procedures, or whether their medication is being taken correctly. It pulls reliable information from trusted sources, and delivers simple, actionable guidance instantly. Meanwhile, it also relieves the burden on healthcare professionals by taking over routine clarification, so that they can focus on higher value care. Ultimately, it creates a win-win for both patients and HCPs.
How we built
We prototyped the chatbot on Telegram using Python-based bot frameworks. The workflow was designed to be simple: users choose their preferred language, enter their personal information which will be stored permanently by the bot, select either financial claims / medication queries / QNA, and receive clear answers with next steps. We also designed demo scripts and mock screens to showcase future scalability, such as SingPass integration for personalized guidance.
Challenges we ran into
Our main challenge was time. As university students with a new semester just starting, building a functional demo with multiple features in a short hackathon window was tough. Coordinating meetings was also difficult since we come from different courses with varied schedules and commitments. On top of that, collaborating on code across multiple devices and contributors added another layer of complexity.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud that, despite being only in Year 2 with limited coding experience and not yet fully familiar with the healthcare landscape, we managed to create a simple, accessible interface that directly addresses our target issue. After multiple attempts and failures, getting the bot to finally work was a milestone we’re especially proud of.
What we learned
On the technical side, some of us picked up new skills like coding in Python and editing the pitch video. We also gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of healthcare challenges—realising there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and that brainstorming requires prioritisation and compromise since every solution involves trade-offs. Most importantly, we learned how to collaborate effectively as a team. Many of us didn’t know each other before the hackathon and were unfamiliar with each other’s working styles. Through clear communication and mutual support, we managed to split tasks, adapt, and help each other succeed.
What's next for HealthBOTline
First, integration with trusted platforms like HealthHub, or in kiosks at clinics/hospitals. Second, accessibility features like text-to-speech, multilingual options, and tutorial/demo videos. Third, expanded functions such as scanning medication labels, offering reminders, and integrating with other popular apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.
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