News

26 May 2020: AIS continues to utilize the strong 5G intelligent network to support Thai medical and public health in all dimensions, from upstream to downstream, to look after the quality of Thai's life to be ready for the New Normal. AIS has recently created a new phenomenon by leading Medical Mobility into the next level by collaborating with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, and the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University to utilize the potential of the strong 5G network and the communication system of 5G CPE, which is a device for receiving and distributing 5G signal, 5G SIM card to enhance the efficiency of "Siriraj Mobile Stroke Unit", which was invented and developed by Siriraj Stroke Center, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, and Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University. Indeed, with the outstanding features of the 5G network, including High Speed, Low Latency, and IoT Connectivity, it will enhance the emergency care efficiency for both constricted and broken critical stroke patients, also, increase opportunities for treatment immediately and decrease loss. Moreover, to improve Medical Mobility and create benefits for Thais to have complete and equal medical care access, which is in line with AIS's purpose and the concept of "5G tangible for all life".

Mr. Wasit Wattanasap, Head of Nationwide Operations and Support Department, AIS, said, "AIS, as a leader in digital life, we have continuously brought network innovations and technology to support the operations of Siriraj Hospital, especially in the epidemic situation of COVID-19. AIS has driven with the mission of AIS 5G to combat COVID-19, which we have supported Siriraj Hospital in delivering innovative robot medical services, 5G ROBOT FOR CARE, to assist doctors and nurses in caring for patients, reducing work, and reducing the risk of infection. Besides, AIS has already installed the 5G network to support the use of medical technology and solutions that demand high-speed internet and the extremely responsive. Therefore, the 5G network is an accurate network that will make countless benefits because every second has meaning to life. However, we delivered them on 8 April 2020."

"Like today, Medical Mobility is a form of medical treatment that provides equal opportunities for patients to access emergency care, in particular with critical stroke patients who are requiring immediate care. Accordingly, AIS strives to bring the potential of the intelligent network, AIS 5G, to develop and enhance the quality of life for Thais in all ways. We are delighted to support the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, and the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, to improve Medical Mobility into the next level by taking advantage of the 5G network, 5G CPE, which a device to receive and distribute 5G signal, 5G SIM card to increase the potential of the Siriraj Mobile Stroke Unit to take care for stroke patients by using the 5G network to enhance the efficiency of the teleconsultation system with the technicians in the hospital with a video signal to enable the doctor to chat with patients, while still in the car, to diagnose preceding treatment and prepare the treatment plan before coming to the hospital to take care of the quality of life for Thais, including upgrade medical care to reach Thais without limitation, which is in line with the concept of 5G tangible for all life."

Prof. Dr. Prasit Watanapa, Dean, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, said, "The synergy of Mahidol University, which is supported by the leader of the 5G network, which we strive to develop for society as a whole to provide Thais to have access to emergency treatment for constricted and broken critical stroke patients with Siriraj Mobile Stroke Unit is similarly bringing a hospital to the community to reduce the time to open a blocked blood vessel, resulting in decreased mortality and disability. It can be used to treat patients with stroke symptoms, which has a dropping eye, twisted mouth, mumbled speech, and limb weakness by taking complete care of the disease in the car since the start of symptoms with not over 4 hours. However, those who find patients can call 1669 to the Erawan center. The center will screen, then report to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the care area. That way, patients will be picked up at the site of the incident to screen for symptoms and bring the patients to the PTT Gas Station meeting point. At the same time, the Erawan Center will notify the Siriraj Mobile Stroke Unit, which has stroke technicians to take the call and to examine the symptoms, including asking a team of doctors, nurses, medical radiologists, and drivers to complete patient procedures for making treatment in the car of Siriraj Mobile Stroke Unit at the meeting point as previously coordinated. Now, 3 new models of Siriraj Mobile Stroke Unit for 2020 are in production, and the second car will be completed around August 2020. Also, the third and fourth cars will be completed by 2020."

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jackrit Suthakorn, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University said, "Mobile Stroke Unit in the form of a car comes from the initiative of the Siriraj Stroke Center, which was developing the primary prototype car that completed in 2018. Later in 2019, the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, developed the advancement of capability and technology together with the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital. From the beginning, 2 years that served the public, it can support treatment to help 287 patients, which will meet medical, digital healthcare, and health tech. For 2020, 3 Siriraj Mobile Stroke Unit 2020 will be a new model by the cooperation of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, and the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Yongchai Nilanont, Director of Siriraj Stroke Center, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Pornchai Chanyagorn, Vice Dean for Process Quality Development. However, the engineering team and innovators from the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, have designed and developed advanced car structures, engineering systems, and in-car communication systems with technology using most materials and supplies in Thailand and ASEAN. Furthermore, it passed automotive performance and safety testing as EU standards to install the electrical system on the platform, and the central drive system can be modified to both use the internal combustion engine (ICE) or the plug-in hybrid or the EV, full with a life support system, and Telemedicine to connect communication devices inside the car to the 5G communication network with SIM. Besides, the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, also maintains the medical system and operating system efficiently with the medical control center at the Siriraj Stroke Center and the performance testing center at the Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University at Salaya.

Interestingly, the stable and high-speed 5G communication technology combined with the design of the car and the Mobile Stroke Unit will help with two-way communication, both the CT scan of the brain and the patient's vital signs are big data to finish as quickly as if a stroke specialist has diagnosed the patient. Despite the fact that medical professionals are hundreds or thousands of kilometers away, with real-time data and high resolution, which will be resulting in decision-making, planning, and medical personnel treatment can be performed immediately and precisely before the patient reaches the hospital. Consequently, with 5G technology will increase opportunities for patients who are far away and decrease the inequality in access for Thais in having access to advanced medical service."