By Matthew Brady 
Malaysian healthtech BookDoc is eyeing regional expansion, deeper AI integration, and stronger public-private collaborations. CEO Reuben Poh outlines what’s next in an interview with HealthTechAsia.
From its early days as a healthcare appointment booking platform, BookDoc has grown into a comprehensive digital health and wellness superapp, serving individuals and corporations alike. At the forefront of this evolution is CEO Reuben Poh, who is helping lead the company into an ambitious new chapter.
From his busy office in Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya— nestled between forest-clad hills — Poh shared an update on the Malaysian healthtech company’s latest direction. “We’re moving from reactive to proactive healthcare,” he highlighted. “Our goal isn’t just to be there when someone falls sick—but to help people live healthier, more balanced lives every day.”
BookDoc was founded in 2015 by the late Dato’ Chevy Beh, a visionary entrepreneur whose energy and conviction left an indelible mark on Malaysia’s startup landscape.
Beginning as an ambitious doctor appointment booking app with partnerships secured at major hospitals like Pantai and Gleneagles, BookDoc later pivoted to launch BookDoc Activ, allowing users to track their steps and making the app more relevant to daily health habits.
When COVID-19 struck, the company supported Malaysia’s Ministry of Health with online appointments and teleconsultations, and also introduced mental health services.
Under Dato’ Chevy’s leadership, Poh explained, BookDoc became more than just a platform—it became a purpose-driven movement to make health easier, more proactive, and more human.
“I’ve always admired Dato’ Chevy for his vision, his grit, and his incredible speed of execution. He believed in making things happen—and that belief drives us every day,” Poh said. “His passing was a great loss, but his spirit remains at the core of the company’s mission. His vision lives on in every feature built, every partnership signed, and every user empowered.”
Today, BookDoc offers a dynamic suite of services that includes virtual step challenges, food log and nutrition coaching, mental health assessments, and corporate wellness analytics—all designed to make healthy living accessible, engaging, and sustainable.
According to Poh, the platform’s transformation was driven by a simple insight: most people only engage with healthcare when they’re unwell. BookDoc set out to change that narrative.
Central to this shift was the BookDoc team. “Our people are our greatest strength,” Poh acknowledged. “Their hard work, creativity, and dedication are the foundation of everything we’ve achieved—and everything we’re building toward. I’m truly grateful for each and every one of them.”
Technology has also played a vital role in this transformation.
“We see tech not just as a tool, but as an enabler of behavioral change—across physical activity, nutrition, and mental wellness,” Poh said. “That’s where our future lies.”.
The ultimate goal, he explained, is to build an app that doesn’t just track your health—but help guide it.
To support this vision, BookDoc is looking to invest heavily in AI to scale its offerings and deliver more personalised health experiences still.
“There’s a lot happening with AI across every industry,” Poh noted. “In healthcare, we see massive potential to enhance service delivery—whether it’s smarter nudges, more intuitive health prompts, or predictive tools that identify risk before it happens.”
Among the upcoming innovations is an AI-powered nutrition assistant, allowing users to snap photos of their meals and receive instant analysis of calories and macronutrients.
BookDoc is also piloting an AI chatbot designed to offer mental health first-aid, guiding users through coping strategies and escalating urgent cases to professional counsellors when needed. “We see AI not as replacing healthcare professionals, but as enhancing access and early support,” Poh revealed.
Healthier outcomes
With rising demand for employee wellness programs, BookDoc has found its niche in the corporate sector. The platform now powers workplace wellness initiatives for some of the country’s most prominent employers, helping them support their people through healthier habits and smarter insights.
BookDoc is free to use, with optional premium features for subscribers. Key tools include the Food Log, showing calorie counts of local dishes. Premium users get AI-powered dietary feedback, plus access to a human Health Coach.
Mental health support includes a Mood Log, with AI being tested to detect prolonged low moods and suggest professional help. The Premium package also offers a healthcare Marketplace, letting users book screenings, clinics, or Grab rides for consultations.
“Companies aren’t just looking for health benefits—they’re looking for impact,” said Poh, “Our solutions are data-driven, engaging, and designed to create measurable outcomes.”
The result has been a shift in the corporate culture around wellness—from tick-the-box programs to purposeful, ongoing engagement.
To date, companies across Malaysia have adopted the platform, including major organisations with employees in both Peninsular and East Malaysia.
BookDoc has also forged strategic partnerships across the region, collaborating with healthcare providers in Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore—and continues to pursue further growth.
As BookDoc sets its sights on regional expansion, deeper AI integration, and stronger public-private collaborations, one thing is clear to the company: this isn’t just about tech. It’s about changing the way people live.
“We want to be the go-to digital health and wellness app—not just in Malaysia, but across Southeast Asia,” Poh concluded. “And we want to do it in a way that stays true to our purpose: helping people live healthier, happier lives.”
Chu Canh Chieu