The 5G communication technology has brought about new developments in the field of medical care. To accelerate the deployment of 5G private networks in the field of smart medical care, the Administration for Digital Industries of Ministry of Digital Affairs (hereinafter referred to as the Administration) announced the results of the verification of remote control diagnosis using 5G for abdominal ultrasound on December 16, 2022. Through the low-latency, high-bandwidth, and wide-coverage features of 5G, Mackay Memorial Hospital in Taipei performed abdominal ultrasound scans for rural residents in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, remotely. This is the first case in Taiwan where remote abdominal ultrasound diagnosis and treatment was performed across counties and cities. This service will significantly promote the application of remote and mobile medical care models, and directly bring the diagnostic capabilities of specialist physicians from large hospitals to remote areas. In the future, this service will be developed into a more diversified range of medical examinations and provide more medical resources to rural residents.

Minister Audrey Tang of the Ministry of Digital Affairs attended the "2022 Let Love Go Further! 5G Remote Abdominal Ultrasound Diagnosis and Treatment Results Exhibition" today. Tang noted that the Administration is committed to using 5G networks and technology to bridge the gap in medical care between urban and rural areas. To this end, the Administration has recently promoted the use of 5G remote ultrasound control technology developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and conducted a successful concept verification in collaboration with Mackay Memorial Hospital.

Minister Tang highlighted the potential of 5G networks to transform medical care. By leveraging the high-bandwidth and low-latency capabilities of 5G, physicians can now remotely operate ultrasound scanning systems at the clinic in Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County, from the Taipei hospital campus. This breakthrough technology enables rural residents to access specialized liver care provided by Mackay Memorial Hospital, regardless of geographical limitations. Minister Tang expressed her delight in seeing the positive impact of 5G applications in the field of medical care.

Pei-Zen Chang, Executive Vice President of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), has highlighted the significant progress made in smart healthcare during the pandemic. In collaboration with the Institute for Information Industry, HTC Corporation, Compal Electronics, Atayalan Taiwan, Shennona, and Techman Robot, ITRI has successfully integrated and developed the "5G remote abdominal ultrasound remote diagnosis and treatment technology" in Taiwan. This innovative technology is based on the 5G small base stations provided by these companies. Additionally, by leveraging the expertise and resources of Mackay Memorial Hospital for specialist medical knowledge and verification sites, and ITRI for overall system integration and network deployment, they have created a high-definition, instant remote abdominal ultrasound remote control and consultation system that has been successfully implemented.

Mackay Memorial Hospital, which participated in this collaboration, has long been involved in healthcare services in the mountainous areas of Jianshi Township, Hsinchu County. In addition to introducing early childhood education screening programs, it has also infused new healthcare models into remote rural areas through the development of communication technology. Dr. Chie-Pein Chen, Vice President of Mackay Memorial Hospital, stated that remote healthcare has played a crucial role during the pandemic, and the remote examination mode, which can be operated from a distance, can provide a more convenient tool for doctors in remote healthcare. With Mackay's dedication to rural healthcare and years of hard work, it is pleased to partner with ITRI and other technology units to overcome the challenges of remote healthcare and usher in a new era.

Dr. Jian-Han Lai, an attending physician in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department at Mackay Memorial Hospital, pointed out that during the testing process, there were no limitations due to the high altitude terrain of Jian Shi Township. The internet connection was very smooth and there were no cases of disconnection or delay. Dr. Si-Hsuan Chen, a senior attending physician in the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department at Mackay Memorial Hospital responsible for confirming the condition of the remotely controlled robotic arm in Jian Shi Township, stated that there is already a shortage of medical personnel tracking hepatitis B and C in Jian Shi Township. If this equipment can be truly promoted, he hopes that it can overcome spatial barriers and encourage more specialized doctors who are willing to participate in the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B and C to join in rural medical care.

The residents of Jianshi Township who participated in the remote ultrasound diagnosis and treatment experience reported a satisfaction rate of over 90% and expressed their willingness to receive this remote medical service again.

During today's event, a simulated remote ultrasound examination operation was demonstrated. The operation was divided into two ends: the physician and patient ends. At the physician end, a 3D force feedback joystick was used to control a mechanical arm equipped with ultrasound probes, distance sensors, and other advanced technologies at the patient end. Meanwhile, a camera installed at the patient end transmitted their condition to the physician end. Through the transmitted images, the physician could understand the mechanical arm's movement and the patient's reactions, and diagnose the results using wireless ultrasound imaging. Moreover, the physician could communicate with the patient in real-time through two-way communication.

The global 5G industry has entered an acceleration period, and 2022 is a critical year for the development of 5G applications worldwide. Faced with the rapidly changing world of digital development, telecom operators, equipment manufacturers, and integrators are all investing in 5G vertical application fields, and various industries are beginning to integrate software and systems to launch innovative applications. The Digital Industries Bureau will create an environment suitable for the development of 5G innovation and application through innovative policies, drive 5G private networks closer to various usage needs, and realize 5G applications such as smart healthcare, smart manufacturing, and smart campuses, giving rise to promising emerging technologies and business services.