Fitbit Joins Singapore Govt. To Make 5.6 Million People Healthy; How Will It Work?

Singapore, with a population of 5.6 million people, is a country with its citizens having the longest life expectancy in the world and widespread access to healthcare. However, with change of habits of the present generation and more stagnancy, the government of Singapore has raised concerns over the relatively high rates of heart disease and diabetes among its fast-ageing population.

Consequently, Singapore’s government has tied up with the US-based company Fitbit Inc. The latter has won a contract with the former to provide fitness trackers and services to up to one million of the country’s citizens as part of a health initiative that begins in October. 

5.6 Million Citizens Can Get Free Fitness Tracker for a Year, But..

Singapore government’s ambitious new plan to boost the health of its citizens has started. For this purpose, it has tied up with the San Francisco-based wearables pioneer, Fitbit Inc., in which 1 million people will get a free fitness tracker device when they purchase 12 month subscription of Fitbit Premium, of 10 Singapore dollars (Rs 517) per month for a year.

The subscribers will receive personalised health advice and nudges, and it will encourage physical activity, healthy eating and better sleep quality among users. Fitbit said the program includes a consent process to indicate whether the users agree to share their data with HPB. The data insights will be used for more health promotion programs by HPB in the country.

In Fitbit’s collaboration with the Singapore Health Promotion Board on a new population-based health initiative, Live Healthy SG, Fitbit will be the ones providing free Inspire HR trackers to participants who commit to a 12-month subscription to their Premium service.

This Premium service is developed, operated and owned by Fitbit. This program will run alongside other existing population-based health programs by the Health Promotion Board, such as Singapore’s National Steps Challenge and Eat Drink Shop Healthy Challenge, where Singaporeans can take part in, at no participation cost.

Fitbit’s Shares Climbs Up by 3% in NYSE

This deal witht the Singapore government is nothing but a boost up for the US company. It so happens that Fitbit has been undergoing a reduction in its share values, with competition from companies such as Apple, Samsung Electronics and a raft of cheaper rivals, since the past 2 years.

Now, with an opportunity as such, the shares of Fitbit  has reportedly climbed up by  3% in midday New York Stock Exchange trading. 

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