16/12/2025
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ โ Malaysia marked a major milestone in digital healthcare as Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and CelcomDigi Berhad (โCelcomDigiโ) collaborated on one of the worldโs first real-time, multi-country live ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) surgery powered by 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) technologies last Thursday.
The live surgery, led by Professor Dr. Mohd Zulkiflee bin Abu Bakar, Director of UMMC, Otorhinolaryngologist and Head & Neck Oncosurgeon, and Dr. Julius Goh Liang Chye, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Specialist ENT, was streamed in real-time to medical students and international specialists from leading institutions in the United States (Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic and Vanderbilt University Medical Centre), as well as from across Asia, including South Korea, Bhutan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and several states in Malaysia such as Putrajaya, Kedah, Johor and Sarawak. All were connected to the operating theatre in UMMC through an immersive AI-powered HoloMedicineยฎ๏ธ Robotics XR platform by apoQlar.
Powered by CelcomDigiโs ultra-low latency 5G network services, the live transmission delivered smooth, synchronous, high-definition visuals that enabled participants to observe critical surgical steps with exceptional precision and clarity, while engaging in real-time remote proctoring and two-way live clinical feedback. The surgical procedure showcased how next-generation connectivity can transform surgical training, remote clinical collaboration and cross-border medical knowledge exchange.
CelcomDigiโs Chief Innovation Officer, T. Kugan said, โThis landmark surgery is testament to how Malaysia can lead the region in digital healthcare innovation. Innovation and 5G connectivity are enabling critical real-time applications that can transform lives. By combining ultra-low latency 5G network with AI and XR-powered HoloMedicineยฎ๏ธ, we are enabling surgeons, educators and students across multiple countries to collaborate as if they were in the same operating theatre. As Malaysiaโs leader in 5G services, we are honoured to support UMMC in realising the nationโs ambition to be a regional centre of medical excellence.โ
The breakthrough demonstration highlighted the potential of 5G-enabled XR to fundamentally reshape surgical education and specialist collaboration, removing geographical barriers that have traditionally limited access to advanced medical training.
UMMCโs Director, Professor Dr. Mohd Zulkiflee said, โThis live surgery marks a major step forward in how we train future surgeons and share specialist expertise. Through real-time, immersive XR technology, our clinicians and students were able to participate in surgical procedures beyond physical boundaries. Our partnership with CelcomDigi allows us to create new possibilities for cross-border collaboration, expanding access to specialist training, improving clinical capability and ultimately enhancing patient care.โ
The initiative strengthens Malaysiaโs growing leadership in medical innovation and underscores the immense potential of 5G-enabled HoloMedicineยฎ๏ธ in driving next-generation healthcare education, supporting national ambitions to expand healthcare tourism and digital health capabilities.
Building on this success, UMMC has planned a series of additional live surgical demonstrations over the coming days, including:
- Urology surgeries, showcasing remote surgical observation and interactive learning enabled by 5G and AI HoloMedicineยฎ๏ธ
- Colorectal surgeries, demonstrating the versatility of the XR platform across multiple specialties in high-stakes clinical environments
- Additional ENT cases, expanding regional access to advanced surgical techniques and specialist mentorship
This initiative also provides an important proof point for how emerging technologies can be safely and effectively integrated into real clinical environments. The success of the procedure shows that advanced digital tools can complement surgical workflows, enhance teaching clarity, and support clinicians without disrupting patient care. It sets a practical foundation for hospitals to adopt similar innovations in a controlled, clinical-safe manner. CelcomDigi continues to drive the digitalisation of healthcare, empowering institutions to push the boundaries of medical innovation and positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for medical excellence.
Credit: ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ ๐ข ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฆ
https://www.corporate.celcomdigi.com/news/ummc-and-celcomdigi-collaborate-for-one-of-the-worlds-first-multi-country-live-surgery-with-5g-enabled-ai-holomedicine
Media Coverage:
๐๐ข๐ ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ๐ข๐ :
https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/business/ummc-and-celcomdigi-collaborate-one-worlds-first-multi-country-live-surgeries-5g-enabled-ai
๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฒ :
https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/12/15/ummc-conducts-first-multi-country-ent-surgery-using-5g/
๐๐๐ :
https://nasilemaktech.com/ummc-celcomdigi-live-surgery-5g-ai-holomedicine/
๐๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฌ :
https://www.dagangnews.com/article/terkini/ppum-celcomdigi-laksana-pembedahan-ent-masa-sebenar-rentas-negara-disokong-teknologi-5g-ai-dan-xr-62467
๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ซ.๐ฆ๐ฒ :
https://wiser.my/celcomdigi-dan-ppum-jayakan-pembedahan-ent-secara-langsung-berasaskan-5g?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHqyTmDDP9omjqecO61Q9dO9HIGTI2XLRxVByvSroebbWnGBblOuFpTkH-iBf_aem_zNIW7vEU3WDtaN4FReRl4g