MCMC joins forces with international leaders to drive healthcare innovation at MIH Megatrends 2024
The partnership signifies a major milestone in advancing Malaysia's healthcare landscape.
KUALA LUMPUR - The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) announced a strategic partnership at the inaugural Malaysia International Healthcare (MIH) Megatrends 2024.
The collaboration brings together the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), and the British High Commission (BHC).
This partnership, announced at the MCMC Future Healthcare Frontier Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) signifies a major milestone in advancing Malaysia's healthcare landscape.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated that the event and collaboration target key stakeholders in the health sector, including the Communications and Health ministries, while partnering with telecom companies to enhance benefits for the public in healthcare and telecommunications sectors.
“We have been working on this since last year, starting a collaboration with the Malaysian Medical Association and the Malaysian Pharmaceutical Society to support digital transformation.
“We partnered with telco companies to provide GP clinics and pharmacies with faster, more affordable internet and practical applications for daily use, with 5G technology playing a central role at MIH Megatrends,” he said during a press conference on Saturday.
Present at the collaboration announcement ceremony were MCMC’s Chairman, Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din; MCMC, Secretary-general, Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Is and esteemed partners from AUSTRADE, Trade and Investment Commissioner, Melanie Harris; British High Commission Kuala Lumpur, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Tom Shepherd; and USTDA, Senior Country Representative, Murni Ali.
Collaborative efforts for digital transformation
Fahmi emphasised that Malaysia's progress in establishing a robust 5G network highlights the country's commitment to advancing its digital landscape.
With a remarkable median speed of 451.79 Mbps, he added that Malaysia outpaces several neighbouring countries, including Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.
Furthermore, the Malaysian 5G network achieved an impressive global consistency score of 97.3 per cent for the fourth quarter of 2023.
Notably, he highlighted the median download speed for 5G surged by 20 per cent, climbing from 168.27 Mbps in the third quarter of the previous year to an impressive 203.04 Mbps in the third quarter of 2023.
“It is clear that we have made every effort to ensure that 5G is accessible to the public. Currently, it covers approximately 82 per cent of the population, and the number of retail or regular users has surpassed 50 per cent of all telecommunications service users,” Fahmi added.
Transforming healthcare through technology
The collaboration aims to address pressing healthcare challenges, including the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, the growing elderly population, and limited healthcare access in rural areas.
By 2040, Malaysia's elderly demographic is projected to nearly match the youth population, increasing the strain on healthcare services.
In rural regions, inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of medical professionals exacerbate disparities in health outcomes.
This partnership seeks to bridge these gaps by leveraging advanced technologies and expertise from the US, Australia, and the UK to improve healthcare delivery for all Malaysians.
The rollout of 5G by telecommunications companies (Telcos) presents an opportunity to expand telemedicine and integrate wearable health devices, positioning Malaysia at the forefront of global healthcare transformation, with
Telcos play a crucial role in driving these advancements. The involvement of USTDA, Austrade, and BHC will accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge solutions, bringing global expertise to foster innovation, stimulate growth, and attract foreign direct investment.
These efforts aim to establish Malaysia as a leading health tourism destination while strengthening the local healthcare ecosystem.
The entry of international healthcare leaders into the Malaysian market will propel local advancement by introducing cutting-edge technologies and best practices.
This influx of expertise will motivate private hospitals to improve their services, fostering a more competitive and dynamic healthcare sector.
"The presence of MCMC and the communication methods discussed today highlight the importance of interconnectivity, particularly for specialised applications in the health sector.
“We encourage more hospitals, as well as public and private sectors, to explore and leverage applications and technologies that can benefit from 5G speeds," said Fahmi.
MIH Megatrends 2024 and visitor enthusiasm
Dental Public Health Consultant Specialist from the Health Ministry, Dr Rapeah Muhammad Yassin, 54, expressed her enthusiasm for the event.
She said that the event is highly beneficial for visitors, offering free health screenings, expert consultations, and valuable exhibitions.
In the meantime, Dr Rapeah also commented on the collaboration by MCMC, noting that without the cooperation of private partnerships and the public sector, progress would not be as swift.
"We now have collaborations with the UK and our Malaysian government, where diagnosis is expedited, allowing patients to recover quickly.
“There’s also telehealth, enabling hospital patients to access information without unnecessary costs, which is very advantageous,” she said when interviewed at the exhibition hall during MIH Megatrends 2024.
She added that this is an excellent opportunity for experts to display scientifically proven innovations that improve quality in both private and public sectors.
Another visitor, Nur Emma Maria, 35, a staff nurse at Hospital Sungai Buloh, also shared her excitement about the event.
She highlighted the high turnout, which demonstrates that Malaysians are mindful of current issues and open to new technologies and ongoing research.
“We are Malaysians, so it’s heartening to see people from all walks of life participating in events like this.
“It’s great to observe MCMC and other corporations collaborating to provide valuable knowledge through their booths and exhibitions.
“I hope that this new partnership brings about many reforms, strengthening the healthcare system and benefiting people in both urban and rural areas,” she stated.
MIH Megatrends 2024 will take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) from Oct 25 to 27. The three-day event is expected to attract over 4,000 participants, including healthcare professionals, industry leaders, government officials, investors, and members of the public, who will explore the latest trends shaping the future of healthcare.
