- Landmark surgery testament to how Malaysia can lead region in digital healthcare innovation
- Potential of 5G-enabled XR to fundamentally reshape surgical education & specialist collaboration
Malaysia marked a major milestone in digital healthcare as Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and CelcomDigi Bhd collaborated on one of the world’s 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 (pic below), 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 HoloMedicine® Robotics XR platform by apoQlar.
T. Kugan, CelcomDigi’s Chief Innovation Officer said, “This 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 HoloMedicine®, we are enabling surgeons, educators and students across multiple countries to collaborate as if they were in the same operating theatre. As Malaysia’s leader in 5G services, we are honoured to support UMMC in realising the nation’s ambition to be a regional centre of medical excellence.”
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.
Zulkiflee said, “This 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.”
Powered by CelcomDigi’s 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.
The initiative strengthens Malaysia’s growing leadership in medical innovation and underscores the immense potential of 5G-enabled HoloMedicine® 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 HoloMedicine®
- 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.
