The Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in Thailand, Siriraj Hospital, and Huawei have set up what the three parties claim will be the first and largest 5G smart hospital project in the ASEAN region. The hospital will be using the cloud, 5G and AI technologies in commercial applications.

Siriraj Hospital and Huawei will establish a Joint Innovation Lab to incubate over 30 innovative 5G applications that will be promoted nationwide from 2022. [1]

Figure 1. Thailand launches ASEAN’s First 5G Smart Hospital

Siriraj Hospital and Huawei signed a five-year MoU in December 2020 to accelerate the use of 5G and cloud technologies. The two parties have started piloting 5G portable medical boxes, 5G unmanned vehicle, 5G medical carts, and 5G smart hospital beds. It is expected that 30 5G medical applications will be incubated and promoted nationwide by next year. [1]

The Joint Launch Ceremony of Siriraj 5G Smart Hospital

This project remarks the first and largest 5G smart hospital project in Thailand and the ASEAN region. It aims to bring more efficient and convenient experience to patients by introducing technologies such as 5G, cloud, and artificial intelligence, and promote Siriraj Hospital to become a model for smart hospitals in Thailand and the world. At the same time, Siriraj Hospital and Huawei will establish a Joint Innovation Lab to incubate innovative 5G applications. Currently, the two parties have started piloting 5G portable medical boxes, 5G unmanned vehicle, 5G medical carts, and 5G smart hospital beds. It is expected that 30 5G medical applications will be incubated and promoted nationwide in 2022. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, addressed the national policy on 5G technology and digital economy, stating, “The Thai government understands the importance of technology, successfully drafting a plan for Digital Thailand, and today is an important first step in the utilization of digital technologies and 5G in the medical field. [3]

5G Smart Hospital

Additionally, Huawei and Sirraj Hospital have also revealed the establishment of a Joint Innovation Lab to incubate innovative 5G applications. The partners expect to develop and promote 30 5G medical applications in 2022.

NBTC Vice-Chairman Colonel Natee Sukonrat, Ph.D., and Dean of Faculty of Medicine Dr. Prasit Watanapa, MD, Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, agreed that with the “smart hospital” model, people in remote areas will have better access to advanced health services.

Since the pandemic began, Huawei and Siriraj Hospital have strengthened their partnership in 5G. Both parties recently signed a five-year memorandum of understanding in which the hospital will upgrade its existing infrastructure and will be showing off its 5G capabilities at exhibitions and events. [2]

References:

1. https://www.itnews.asia/news/thailand-launches-first-5g-smart-hospital-in-asean-574247
2. https://disruptive.asia/thailand-5g-smart-hospital-huawei/
3. https://www.electronicsforu.com/news/press-releases/thailand-launches-aseans-first-5g-smart-hospital

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2021), Thailand launches ASEAN’s First 5G Smart Hospital, pp. 36