Singapore's first healthcare technology laboratory will begin operations in April this year.

Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS) and Allscripts, a US-based healthcare solutions provider, signed an agreement on Tuesday to set up the joint development centre.

The laboratory will first focus on enhancing medication management systems in hospitals, and will work closely with doctors and healthcare staff to conduct trials and refine advanced applications at hospitals like Singapore General Hospital and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

It will later look into improving specialist mobility and critical care applications.

"The joint laboratory will enable local clinicians and IT professionals to work closely with international experts to create software that will integrate seamlessly with our hospitals' workflows," said IHiS CEO Chong Yoke Sin.