2020 has had its share of interesting and unfortunate events, the elephant in the room of course would be the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. As the virus continues to spread quickly in many parts of the world, the demand for touchless and contactless services have grown and have become increasingly popular. One point of caution many people find them selves at is in hospitals or other healthcare facilities as they are filled with at-risk people or even coronavirus patients. It is perfectly understandable to feel a sense of caution in any place filled with people, especially healthcare facilities in this day in age. The recent events that have unfolded have prompted some healthcare centers to launch remote doctor appointments for much of the general public, especially the elderly. As the pandemic continues to exploit vulnerabilities in healthcare systems around the world, do these contactless practices paint the future of a new normal? Will this inevitably lead to a new era of convenience and cost savings post Covid-19?

Introducing the Blockchain Based Smart Hospital Program

In July, Matrix announced its participation in the blockchain based Smart Hospital program, an initiative led Guangzhou Panyu District Central Hospital and its state of the art healthcare infrastructure along with the telecommunications giant, China Telecom. For those wanting an introduction of the partners involved, click here.

Project Break Down

The blockchain based Smart Hospital Program is an initiative that seeks to incorporate the latest technologies such as 5G and blockchain to build a high-quality remote diagnosis and treatment service system. An efficient system that can provide high quality medical care remotely carries a multitude of benefits for both densely populated areas and remote locations.

One particular district in Guangzhou for example integrates all medical and health institutions in the district in accordance with strict national standards. The comprehensive coverage of this region blankets approximately 30 medical and health institutions. This initiative naturally calls for state of the art coverage for a large population. As the intense demand for an efficient management system continues to grow, the practical use of technologies such as 5G, blockchain, and AI are becoming increasingly valuable. These technologies are proving they can be harnessed in a way to provide basic primary consultation and healthcare.

What’s in the Tech?

One of the key technologies to be utilized in this endeavor is 5G. 5G combines both high-speed wireless connectivity with the latest in telemedicine technology to realize the operation of remote surgery, wireless remote consultation, patient monitoring and Command and decision-making for rescue incidents in real time. Due to its high bandwidth capabilities, 5G allows for the safe high-speed transmission of massive multimedia medical data and can further achieve the in-depth sharing of high-end medical resources.

The other key technologies expected to play a vital role in this project is the usage of blockchain and artificial Intelligence. Blockchain, to no surprise, is considered to be the best candidate in replacing centralized systems and databases as it doesn’t require a third party to ensure the security of classified or personal health data. By nature, blockchain guarantees high redundancy, tamper resistance, and complex rights management with multiple ways to integrate secure authentication with the use of private keys.

Another advantage of blockchain in the medical field is the complex permission management mechanism that supports multiple private keys. For example, through the use of a smart contract, one could set a single case to allocate multiple private keys and formulate certain rules for data access. Whether it be a doctor, a nurse, or the patient itself, one must be authorized by the contract in order to gain access to the secured information. In short, the key can only be accepted when that specific individual is present or located nearby using GIS data when permitted.

The advantages of blockchain are even more apparent when coupled with artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is reliant on massive amounts of data. The more data AI systems have access to the more valuable and efficient they become. Data is central to the success and future of AI, blockchain can ensure the security and credibility of that data. Overall, the relationship between the two creates a safe intelligent learning environment, a higher level of intelligent manufacturing and management with the goal of promoting and providing a wider range of intelligent applications.

Conclusion

Great projects require great partners, that is exactly why China Telecom, Guangzhou Central Hospital, Owen Tao and Steve Deng of Matrix AI Network have joined forces in making this blockchain based smart hospital program a reality. The emergence of blockchain, artificial intelligence, 5G, and IoT are poised to shape anew era in healthcare and society.