Siriraj Hospital has launched the “Siriraj World Class 5G Smart Hospital” project, which it hopes will transform the hospital into a role model for other public hospitals in Thailand.
The project was launched in a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday. It hopes the model will to improve its medical services and overall efficiency.
Prasit Watanapa, dean of Mahidol University’s Faculty of Medicine, which runs Siriraj Hospital, said the project — which is supported by Huawei Technologies and National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) — will see 5G, cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) technology applied in various areas of medical practices.
The aim, Dr Prasit said, is to enhance the quality of medical services as well as the productivity of medical institutions, to provide people in remote areas with improved access to advanced healthcare services.
The Siriraj World Class 5G Smart Hospital project comprises nine sub-projects, namely a smart emergency medical service, smart emergency rooms, pathological diagnosis system with 5G and AI, an AI platform for non-communicable diseases, smart inventory management, a permission-based block chain for personal health records, smart logistics with a 5G self-driving car, multi-access edge computing and a hybrid cloud system.
“Siriraj Hospital will be the first hospital in Thailand to apply 5G technology including cloud AI solutions in medical services to boost its efficiency and improve people’s confidence in our capabilities,” said Dr Prasit.
Col Natee Sukonrat, vice-chairman of the NBTC, said the project began after the National 5G Committee gave its approval with the intention of improving Thailand’s public health services.
Once completed, the project will be expanded to include other hospitals nationwide, he said.
Han Zhiqiang, China ambassador to Thailand, said China is willing to go all out to help Thailand fight the pandemic.
“China is willing to work together with Thailand to address common challenges and drive economic development, and will continue to support Huawei and other Chinese companies in growing smart hospitals and bringing better lives for Thai and Chinese people.”
At the launch, Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) introduced the Innovation Lab at the Srisavarindira Building, which it built as part of its 5G infrastructure project for Siriraj Hospital last year.
“This is a model for upgrading Thailand’s public health industry in the future and it will contribute to Siriraj’s transition to becoming a smart hospital, in line with Huawei’s mission to grow in Thailand and contribute to Thailand,” he said.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha addressed the national policy on 5G technology movements, saying that the Thai government understands the importance of technology, successfully drafting a plan for Digital Thailand.
“I am pleased and honored that Thailand is moving forward with 5G and AI technology and is being utilised in Siriraj’s 5G Smart Hospital. Today is an important start in the utilisation of digital technologies and 5G in the medical field," he said.
"We will use Siriraj 5G Smart Hospital as a pilot project with the aim of expanding to other hospitals in the future. Today is a first step to successfully implement 5G technology for medical use. We would like to thank Ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand for a land-lasting friendship and collaboration between Thailand and China. We admire Siriraj Hospital and Mahidol University, and would like to thank Huawei, NBTC, private organizations, and all other partners involved in this project. We hope the project will act as a blueprint for all Smart Hospitals in Thailand going forward, " said the prime minister.
In December 2020, Huawei and Siriraj Hospital signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a smart platform that will enhance the provision of medical services. Under this five-year agreement, Huawei will provide 5G technology to the faculty, enabling the immediate upgrade of the existing infrastructure.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (4th from left), Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa (3rd from left) MD, dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University, Han Zhiqiang (far left) ambassador of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Thailand, Abel Deng (2nd from left) chief executive officer of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Assoc Prof Visit Vamvanij (5th from left) MD, director of Siriraj Hospital, and Assoc Prof Cherdchai Nopmaneejumruslers (6th from left) vice director of Siriraj Hospital at the exhibition “Siriraj 5G Smart Hospital” and the Innovation Lab.