How 5G network can transform Kenya's healthcare sector

While many hospitals within urban areas in developing countries such as Kenya are continuously seeking ways to improve their efficiency and maximise the resources available to them, inefficiencies and delays in care continue to be witnessed in the health facilities.

This challenge, according to technology experts at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2022 in Barcelona, Spain, is due to lack of an integration system connecting multiple devices with one another to automate processes in hospitals.

5G network which delivers high-speed data connections is said to be the solution that could transform experiences and clinical outcomes of patients. 

Existing network systems in hospitals are expected to face additional pressure as more processes continue to be digitised, hence the need for 5G to keep up with the high volumes of data being exchanged.

“The challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting to all industries especially the healthcare sector. We believe that digital technologies are essential to immensely benefit from smart innovations and infrastructure during this digitaziation era,” said Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Dean of faculty of Medicine Sirijaj Hospital.

He was speaking at the MWC tech summit in Barcelona, Spain during a Huawei forum themed 'lighting up the future'.

At the session, Dr. Watanapa shared the concept of South East Asia’s largest 5G Smart Hospital launched in Thailand in December. The hospital underscores the importance of 5G network and could be a benchmark for many countries that are in the process of rolling out of high-speed network.

He are the highlights of the 5G Smart Hospital achieved through collaboration between technology and healthcare providers:

Smart Ambulance: This is  equipped with 5G innovative solution for remote consultation with experts to provide real-time comprehensive first aid treatment to a patient before they get to hospital. The ambulance is also installed with a mobile monitor defibrillator.

Blockchain-based personal health record:  A solution that enables high speed access and entry of patients’ data hence minimising delays .

5G Smart ER: The emergency department installs an advanced system to closely monitor patients condition progress and timely alert the physicians.

AI pathology: This entails pathological diagnosis of patients through technology and is more precise and faster with artificial intelligence 

Smart pharmacy inventory management: The smart system optimises pharmacy operations for highly efficient inventory and supply chain management. 

5G unmanned car: This is a smart autonomous vehicle for medical supplies delivery. 

5G private network and hybrid cloud: This smart infrastructure enhances the rapid data collection, processing and storage of patient data.

AI platform for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): This innovative system is used for monitoring,  assessment and notification of patients with NCDs.