5G is revolutionizing Singapore’s healthcare sector by enabling ultra-reliable, low-latency, and high-bandwidth connectivity that powers next-generation medical innovations. 5G supports real-time data transmission with minimal lag, making it ideal for mission-critical healthcare applications such as robot-assisted surgery, AI-driven diagnostics, and remote patient monitoring. This advancement is particularly crucial in an ageing society like Singapore, where healthcare systems must scale to meet growing demand while maintaining quality and efficiency.
The National University Hospital (NUH) has successfully transformed surgical care and medical training through innovative 5G-powered Mixed Reality solutions, marking a significant milestone in Singapore's journey towards becoming a Smart Nation.
Through IMDA's Holomedicine 5G Innovation Grant, this groundbreaking initiative demonstrates how emerging technologies can revolutionise healthcare delivery and create new growth opportunities.
Transforming Healthcare Through 5G Innovation
The NUHS Holomedicine Program leverages Mixed Reality technology to enhance clinical capabilities, improve clinician experience, and deliver better patient outcomes. By implementing a robust 5G network infrastructure, NUH has enabled seamless real-time data transfer and analysis crucial for advanced medical applications.
1. Pre-Procedure Planning with 5G-Enabled Holomedicine
Since January 2024, NUH has adopted 5G as its default communications platform for retrieving and rendering high-resolution medical images from the cloud to support pre-operative planning. Over 30 surgeries—ranging from liver transplants to facial reconstruction—have already benefited from this workflow.
Powered by Singtel’s 5G network, including Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), the solution provides fast, flexible image access for surgical teams, enabling real-time collaboration and better preparation for complex procedures. Holomedicine has now become a standard tool across several specialties for more precise, informed planning.
2. Intra-Operative Surgical Image Guidance
For selected high-complexity surgeries, Mixed Reality has revolutionized how surgeons localize tumors or fracture points. Using the HoloLens and 5G connectivity, holograms of internal anatomy are superimposed on the patient’s body during surgery, replacing the need for physical palpation or thoracoscopic camera insertion.
This approach has been especially impactful in rib tumor localization, reducing operating times by up to 30 minutes and minimizing post-operative risks. The result: improved accuracy, safety, and patient outcomes, particularly for patients with challenging anatomies.
3. HoloVein for Real-Time Vein Visualization
Currently in trial, HoloVein allows clinicians to visualize veins in real-time by projecting a 3D holographic overlay on the patient’s skin. Leveraging 5G-enabled HoloLens devices and MEC processing, the solution enhances first-attempt success rates for procedures like IV insertions.
The system has two deployment modes—direct processing via MEC and pass-through via a remote rendering device—offering flexibility based on hospital infrastructure.
4. Patient Education and Rehabilitation
Holomedicine is transforming patient engagement by allowing patients to view holograms of their own bodies and better understand their medical conditions or treatment plans. This has proven especially useful in rehabilitation programs for stroke survivors, helping them regain confidence in their recovery journey.
Though some patients are hesitant to adopt MR devices due to motion sickness or unfamiliarity, early feedback from clinical staff and caregivers has been positive—pointing toward a future where MR tools complement patient-centered care and therapy.
Measurable Impact and Benefits
The implementation of 5G technology has been crucial to the success of the Holomedicine program. With download speeds averaging 144Mbps and motion-to-photon latency under 20ms, the network supports high-resolution 3D imaging and real-time data processing essential for surgical applications.
The project has delivered impressive results across multiple areas:
1. Surgical Excellence & Improved Patient Outcomes
- Pre-procedure planning using 3D holograms has become standard practice for various specialties for complex surgeries, including liver transplants and thoracic procedures.
- With MR and 5G-enabled intra-operative surgical image guidance, surgeons are able to overlay the holograms of patient scans directly on their body during the surgery, and use that as a guide for localisation of tumours without the need for thoracoscopy, reducing the potential complications faced by patient as well as the operating time by an average of 10%-15%.
2. Procedure Efficiency
- The innovative HoloVein system helps medical staff locate difficult-to-find veins, improving patient comfort and procedure efficiency
- With over 60 participants recruited into the trial, HoloVein is progressing toward HSA Class A certification.
3. Professional Training Enhancement
- Over 40 healthcare professionals have been trained in using Mixed Reality technologies, exceeding initial targets
4. International Recognition
- NUHS has been cited in multiple writeups and articles over the past year as one of the first hospitals in the world to have an enterprise 5G network.
- The team from NUHS has also been invited to organized events such as the Holomedicine & 5G Summit in Nov 2023, and upcoming conferences including GSMA M360 APAC 2024 and HIMSS APAC 2024.
- NUHS has emerged as a global leader in healthcare innovation, collaborating with hospitals across Asia, Africa, and beyond
Driving Innovation Through IMDA's Support
IMDA's 5G Innovation Programme has been instrumental in making this transformation possible. The initiative supported NUH in:
- Testing and implementing 5G solutions in a live hospital environment
- Developing commercial applications of 5G technology
- Driving industry transformation
This project exemplifies IMDA's commitment to accelerating industry transformation through strategic partnerships and innovation support. By bringing together healthcare providers, technology partners, and government agencies, the initiative has created a blueprint for successful industry transformation.
Building the Future of Healthcare
NUHS plans to further develop, deploy, and scale projects that leverage on 5G network, with the aim of building an integrated data network. These new initiatives will include:
- NUHS 5G Cloud Robotics Program (Missi Robot)
- NUHS Autonomous Process Twins Initiative
- Future Spatial AI Institute
- Remote patient wearable and 5G Advanced passive powered IOT devices
- Remote surgical assistance and proctoring
- Integrated NUHS Cloud Data Network
These initiatives will foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technology transfer, benefiting both hospitals and community healthcare. Insights from advanced bolographic applications will extend to other sectors, like telecommunications, through strategic partnerships with SMEs and larger industry players, enabling them to adapt the technology for their needs.
"The integration of 5G technology has been transformative for our surgical procedures," says Adj Assistant Professor Gao Yujia, Assistant Group Chief Technology Officer at NUHS. "NUHS is committed to sustainability through adoption at scale.”
Shaping Singapore’s Digital Future Across Industries
The success of this initiative extends beyond immediate healthcare applications. It has:
- Created new opportunities for local technology companies to develop 5G solutions and enable regional capability building
- Established Singapore as a leader in emerging technology innovation, fostering international partnership and collaboration
- Opened pathways for knowledge sharing and technology transfer across sectors
- Generated valuable insights for future 5G implementations in other industries
For organisations interested in exploring similar transformative opportunities leveraging 5G, IMDA offers various support schemes and expertise to accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies.
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