Thailand has launched the “Siriraj World Class 5G Smart Hospital,” billed as the region’s first and largest 5G smart hospital to improve Thailand’s healthcare system. This new digital health center in Bangkok will include several cutting-edge digital health solutions. The Hospital will be promoted to become a template for smart hospitals in Thailand and around the globe.
The Siriraj hospital has been jointly unveiled by the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), and Huawei Technologies (Thailand). It is intended to provide an efficient and convenient experience through 5G, artificial intelligence, multi-access edge computing, and a hybrid cloud system.
Thailand has been working toward 5G deployment in the healthcare sector. The Thai government has announced Thailand Health Data Space 5G, a 5G-based intelligent medical information and full-service system.
The goal of the 5G-based initiative is to improve the country’s healthcare system across dimensions such as hospital information transmission, diagnosis, follow-up, rehabilitation, and emergency care to deliver a more efficient and pleasant visit for patients.
Sample Use Cases of 5G Smart Hospital
Below are sample use cases that will be offered to patients at Siriraj Hospital:
- Smart emergency rooms and emergency medical service
- Pathological diagnosis system designed for 5G and AI
- AI platform for non-communicable diseases
- Smart inventory management
- Permission-based blockchains for personal medical records
- Autonomous logistics with 5G self-driving cars
- 5G ambulance
- Telemedicine
They had introduced 5G unmanned vehicles for medical supplies delivery via contactless technology.
Additionally, Siriraj Hospital and Huawei will launch a Joint Innovation Lab to develop over 30 innovative 5G applications that will be rolled out across the country from 2022.
Huawei and Siriraj Hospital have strengthened their collaboration in 5G since the epidemic began. The Hospital and Huawei had signed a five-year memorandum of understanding under which it will modernize its existing infrastructure and showcase 5G capabilities at exhibitions and events. CommunicAsia has recognized Siriraj hospital for “Most Innovative 5G Trial in Asia Pacific Region” in 2020.
Since the pandemic began, Huawei and Siriraj Hospital have strengthened their partnership in 5G. Both parties recently signed a five-year memorandum of understanding. The Hospital will upgrade its existing infrastructure and show off its 5G capabilities at exhibitions and events.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said, “Thailand understands the importance of technology, and today is an important first step in the utilization of digital technologies and 5G in the medical field. We are thankful for the long-lasting friendship and collaboration between Thailand and China. We admire Siriraj Hospital and Mahidol University and would like to thank Huawei, NBTC, and all other partners. We hope the project will act as a blueprint for all smart hospitals in Thailand going forward.”
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, emphasized that China will leverage technology to assist Thailand in fighting the pandemic. “China and Thailand’s 5G collaboration has become a model throughout Southeast Asia, allowing Thailand to become the first country in Southeast Asia to commercially operationalize 5G. Furthermore, the China government will continue to support Huawei and other Chinese firms in developing Smart Hospitals, as well as bringing better lives for Thai and Chinese people.”
Professor Dr. Prasit Watanapa, MD, Dean of Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, and Colonel Natee Sukonrat, Ph.D., Vice-Chairman of NBTC, highlighted that with the “smart hospitals” model, patients in rural areas would be able to get access to advanced medical treatments.
CEO of Huawei Thailand, Abel Deng, said, “This signifies a model for improving Thailand’s public health sector in the future, and it contributes to Siriraj’s transition to being a smart hospital, in line with Huawei’s goal to Grow in Thailand, Contribute to Thailand.”
According to Dr. Anan Kanoksilp, director of the ICT Centre under the Public Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Office, the goal of the project is “to connect all sectors involved in the Thai health system thereby transforming Thailand into a sustainable society and ensuring efficient transfer of information.”
