The continuous evolution of new wireless network generations has consistently provided benefits to the healthcare sector, and 5G is certainly no different. Marking a significant advancement with amplified bandwidth, higher capacity, and reduced latency, 5G stands as a transformative factor in propelling the ongoing growth of the healthcare industry.

About 5G 

5G technology promises a substantial leap in capacity, with the potential to offer up to 1,000 times more capacity than its predecessor, 4G. This advancement holds the potential to significantly enhance the healthcare landscape for both patients and healthcare enterprises.

A noteworthy progression in the realm of 5G is the growing popularity of private 5G networks. These networks are exclusively dedicated to a particular entity, such as a hospital or healthcare provider. The emergence of this concept, where organisations take charge of their own 5G networks, is gaining traction due to several benefits it brings. One such advantage is the heightened level of security and control that private networks provide. This control facilitates tailoring the network to align precisely with an organisation’s specific requirements. Additionally, these private networks offer superior coverage and performance in regions of India that lack access to public networks.

As 5G integrates deeper into the healthcare sector, aided by advancements in fields like robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI), a novel interconnected healthcare ecosystem is poised to emerge. This interconnectedness has the potential to revolutionise the healthcare industry by enabling faster communication, enhanced diagnostics, remote patient monitoring, and an array of innovative applications that were previously constrained by network limitations.

USE CASES OF 5G IN INDIA

1. Remote patient monitoring and virtual consultations
   Products such as smart wearables and e-health devices work on sensors, the data of which can be collected and analysed without the need for patients to travel to primary care facilities. Since 5G is secure, faster, and more reliable than the previous generations of wireless networks, it will enable easier remote patient monitoring. Virtual consultations are also going to become easier with access to high-speed networks. This will help in the treatment of communicable diseases without any exposure to infection.
2. Telemedicine
   5G technology has the potential to simplify the process of online consultations and virtual prescriptions, effectively bridging the geographical gap between patients and doctors. This advancement holds the promise of enhancing healthcare services, particularly in the remote corners of India. 
3. Telesurgery
   A very important aspect of the 5G use cases is the possibility of remote surgery by experts in future through robots. In the initial use cases, it can enable the use of augmented reality headsets and communication platforms for monitoring surgeries by allowing surgeons to virtually “scrub in” to any operating room and guiding physically present surgeons as per their expertise. 
4. Digitisation and automation in hospitals
   The immense data storage capacity of 5G offers the opportunity for secure digitisation, systematisation, and centralisation of medical records. Furthermore, 5G’s capabilities extend to facilitating robotic surgeries and assisting in tasks like remote diagnosis, including functions such as computed tomography (CT) scans. 
5. Drone-enabled medical service delivery
   5G-enabled drones can expedite the delivery of emergency healthcare products as well as the collection of medical samples. 
6. 5G Connected Ambulance
   Recently, India’s first 5G-connected ambulance service was launched In Kolkata by Apollo Hospitals. This technology can transform access to healthcare and save lives in emergencies. These ambulances use 5G for equipping with the latest medical equipment, patient monitoring applications, and telemetry devices that transmit the patient’s health data to the hospital with low latency, and cameras connected to the ultra-fast 5G network.
7. Products for assistance of persons with disabilities
   The use of the 5G network has the potential for the development of innovative products to assist persons with disabilities. For example, a 5G-enabled headset or set of video streaming glasses can enable partially visually impaired individuals to connect in real-time with an advisor who can guide the patient through various activities in their daily lives.
8. Virtual training
   Virtual training has become an important part of student life after COVID. 5G can help achieve the use of virtual reality and augmented reality for the training and education of medical students at the early stages of their education as well.  An example of this is a Chennai-based firm, Medisim VR, which is training India’s future doctors through virtual reality. 

CONCLUSION

In the upcoming years, the influence of 5G technology on the Indian healthcare system will be manifold. This impact will lead to the augmentation of healthcare systems, processes, and protocols, resulting in enhanced efficiency. The technology will establish crucial levels of connectivity, fostering the creation of a novel health ecosystem designed to cater precisely, efficiently, conveniently, and economically to the requirements of both patients and providers. Naturally, these advancements will be subject to legal regulations.