An hour away from the nearest downtown hospital, Guishan islanders began receiving real-time professional diagnoses via Zhuhai's first 5G-enpowered smart medical center, which opened on April 15.

A Guishan native who used the name Mr Lin, 58, was stricken for four hours with sudden chest pain and became the first beneficiary. Ultra-high-definition electrocardiograph and computed tomography (CT) images were transmitted via 5G from Guishan Health Center to Zhuhai People's (Renmin) Hospital, which then returned a diagnostic report.

5G-enabled remote multidisciplinary consultation soon produced a preliminary diagnosis through face-to-face exchanges between patients and doctors using cameras at the two medical facilities.

5G remote consultation [Photo by Zhao Zi / Zhuhai Daily]

It takes nearly an hour for island residents to reach mainland hospitals. The 5G technology, which boasts a wide broadband, high speed, and no delay, eliminates time and spatial factors. Image and audio transmissions for operation broadcasts, real-time group consultations, and ward inspections are conducted immediately, indicated Xu Chaolong, director of the Zhuhai Health Bureau.

This effectively addresses uneven distribution of medical resources and promotes hierarchical treatment. It links high-end medical resource platforms in such developed cities as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou with patients in remote areas.

In the future, all examination and treatments of islanders can be handled remotely by physicians at Renmin Hospital.

The Guishan Island 5G center was established with cooperation between Renmin Hospital, China Unicom Zhuhai Branch, and Huawei Technologies.