CYBERJAYA – Telecommunication companies play a crucial role in the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) bid to advance digital healthcare solutions for the public.
With the Malaysia International Healthcare (MIH) Megatrends 2024, a three-day event, taking place from Friday, MCMC has set telcos’ uptake of providing digital healthcare initiatives as one of its key performance indicators (KPIs) for the programme.
The inaugural event, organised by the Health Ministry in collaboration with KPJ Healthcare and MCMC as strategic partners, aims to garner public discussions on ensuring equitable and sustainable healthcare access by bringing together global healthcare leaders, professionals, innovators, and policymakers.
Noting that responses from telcos on advancing digital healthcare initiatives have been impressive, MCMC deputy managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Mohd Yasin said one of the commission’s focuses for the MIH Megatrends is to highlight how digitised healthcare services will benefit the people.
“Primarily, we (MCMC) are looking at how quickly telcos can move into providing digital healthcare services,” Zulkarnain told Scoop in an exclusive interview at MCMC’s headquarters, here.
“We have seen 5G showcased in healthcare services, but applying (such capabilities) is something we’re aspiring to achieve and an initiative that we’re aiming for our service providers to embark on.”
He added that telcos are strategically positioned to address interoperability challenges in the healthcare sector by facilitating seamless data exchange across different platforms and services.
By leveraging their extensive network capabilities, telcos, Zulkarnain said, can ensure effective communication between disparate healthcare systems and enhance operational efficiency, thus creating a more coordinated patient care approach that is more likely to present better outcomes.
He also pointed out that telcos have the ability to enhance healthcare delivery by offering integrated packages that include internet connectivity, telehealth platforms, and customised data management solutions for hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies.
Such comprehensive offerings, he said, have the potential to significantly improve the overall efficiency of healthcare services.
“Additionally, the implementation of subscription-based models allows telcos to provide ongoing support and access to future healthcare solutions without imposing substantial upfront costs on healthcare providers.
“This model can incorporate tiered service levels, granting access to various functionalities such as telemedicine consultations, remote patient monitoring, and artificial intelligence (AI) within the healthcare industry,” he said.
Pointing to Australia’s leading telecommunications provider, Telstra, and its eHealth company Telstra Health to illustrate his point, Zulkarnain said another of MCMC’s objectives for the MIH Megatrends is to boost telcos’ abilities to transform into tech companies.
“Telstra Health has recorded success in enabling Australian hospitals to reduce patient readmissions through home treatment solutions, serving as a noteworthy example for local telcos to consider as they seek to expand their market and capabilities.
“As regulators, we want more service providers (here) to become tech companies that are not only involved in providing communications services but also in the applications aspect, which will bring services closer to the rakyat.”
The MIH Megatrends will also offer substantial opportunities for local and international investors to contribute to healthcare innovation, including the development of Smart Hospitals in Malaysia.
MCMC, Zulkarnain noted, is working together with the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to secure grants aimed at transforming several hospitals here into Smart Hospitals, among other initiatives set to be discussed at the event.
“Digitalisation of the healthcare ecosystem is not just about Smart Hospitals. We’re also looking at innovating pharmaceutical services and potentially exploring wearable devices that can be used to monitor and transmit health data to hospitals and clinics.”
The event will also include collaborations with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission and the British High Commission, highlighting the critical role of the programme in ensuring Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in healthcare innovation. – October 24, 2024
