Minister of Digital Affairs Yen-Nun Huang visited the health center in Maolin District, Kaohsiung City, yesterday (6th), to inspect the "5G Telemedicine Platform" developed by telecommunications providers and learn about the operation and effectiveness of digital services in rural areas. Huang stated that through the integration of 5G communication and AI (artificial intelligence) smart diagnosis platforms, rural residents no longer need to travel long distances to receive medical care on par with that available in urban areas, making "the internet replace the roads" and creating truly "zero-distance" healthcare.
For residents in rural and mountainous areas, traveling to the city for medical treatment is not easy. Often, it takes a full day for a round trip, with considerable time and money spent. Because of this, many rural residents have delayed treatment during the golden window, causing their conditions to worsen.
For example, diabetic patients sometimes develop macular edema, which can lead to blindness if left untreated. In the past, many rural residents did not seek care at large hospitals even when they experienced eye discomfort, which affected the treatment process for macular degeneration and caused blindness. With the introduction of 5G and AI-powered fundoscopy in rural areas, elderly residents can undergo eye exams early, allowing for early detection and treatment of their conditions.
In addition to providing telemedicine services for otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and dermatology, 5G and AI can now also facilitate digital psychological therapy. Rural residents with depression or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) no longer need to travel to large hospitals, as telemedicine allows for early treatment of their conditions.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs explained that the "5G Telemedicine Platform" was jointly developed by Far EasTone Telecommunications and several domestic medical institutions. Using "5G commercial networks" and "5G private networks" technology, it provides nationwide medical institutions with video consultations and outpatient services. The platform also collaborates with the National Health Research Institutes’ Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine to integrate AI-assisted diagnostic mechanisms, expanding the reach of medical resources beyond geographic limitations.
Since its establishment, the Ministry of Digital Affairs has focused on strengthening digital resilience and expanding communication services. By adjusting frequency usage fee standards, it encourages telecommunications providers to invest in innovative and diverse application services. The 5G smart healthcare applications in Kaohsiung’s Maolin District exemplify how robust network infrastructure and public policies can ensure that every resident has access to high-quality healthcare services.
Currently, the 5G Telemedicine Platform has expanded to 15 counties and cities across Taiwan, covering 56 rural towns and health centers in mountainous and offshore areas, with over 60,000 service instances accumulated. The platform’s stable 5G connection capabilities have expanded cross-hospital consultation capabilities, allowing high-quality medical resources and services to reach rural areas and creating a shared healthcare network for all.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs emphasized that technological innovation should be implemented in daily life for the benefit of all, especially in remote and aging areas, where digital applications are key to narrowing the urban-rural resource gap. In the future, the Ministry will continue to collaborate with various sectors, guiding industry players through policy support to expand the diverse applications of 5G services, embodying the concept that "connection is not just for the internet, but for improving life" and realizing digital equity.
Resource: 5G智慧醫療走進偏鄉 用AI為眼部黃斑部病變、PTSD患者看診
