Korea will develop regional wise rescue platforms based on artificial intelligence
The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced seven more projects under the Korea Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) initiative.
These include two artificial intelligence-based emergency systems – one is a regional emergency system for triaging and transferring patients, and the other is a multi-institutional real-time patient transfer management system.
An integrated digital care solution is also planned to boost staff efficiency.
Projects are also being implemented regarding early screening for occasional cancers among teenagers and people aged 20-30; a system for the rapid discovery and verification of recent drug targets in the treatment of non-immune solid tumors; medical technologies for space medicine; and creative technology simulating immunity based on microphysiological systems.
MOHW is currently looking for partner institutes to work on these projects, which are scheduled to start in November. Each project has been allocated 13 billion to 23 billion won ($9 million to $16.5 million) for the next five years. A total of 1.2 trillion won ($830 million) has been allocated for these projects through 2032.
Korea’s ARPA-H program is a set of ambitious projects aimed at solving pressing national public health and care challenges. In July, three initial projects were announced – the development of vaccine storage technology, a decentralized vaccine production system and multimodal therapies targeting sarcopenia.
The recent features are available in the Korean My Health Record app
MOHW also recently announced updates to the My Health Register application.
Mobile application for the National Health Information System, My HealthWay now allows users to view health records for their children up to age 14 and check information about drug allergies. A recent medication reminder function has also been added.
Recently, 144 hospitals and healthcare facilities were connected to My Healthway, allowing My Health Record users to access health information from these facilities. This brings the total number of institutions connected to the national system to approximately 1,004.
The Thai hospital cooperates with Samsung Medison
Private healthcare group Bangkok Dusit Medical Services in Thailand has partnered with Seoul-based medical equipment manufacturer Samsung Medison.
Under the MoU, the two companies will collaborate in areas such as medical imaging and artificial intelligence.
Earlier this year Samsung Medison bought Sonioa French startup dealing with ultrasound artificial intelligence, expanding its portfolio of services and solutions in the field of ultrasound diagnostics.
Hong Kong establishes a digital health alliance
The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), a government-backed international IT hub, has reached out to local companies from various digital and IT spaces to form a digital health alliance.
As stated in the press release, their alliance “aims to drive growth together [an] international digital health ecosystem.”
The first 12 partners of this alliance are expected to establish their research and development bases in the Hong Kong Science Park. It includes one of China’s largest medical institutions – General Technology Healthcare and Medical Large Data Technology (Beijing) Group Co. – and emerging tech startups such as Infinity Wellness, which focuses on senior care.
“This strategic initiative will raise the standard of global digital health innovation and accelerate the translation of research into market-ready solutions,” said HKSTP CEO Albert Wong.