PLDT Enterprise, the corporate arm of PLDT, has partnered with Germany-based health technology company apoQlar to test the use of mixed reality (MR) in healthcare through a proof-of-concept (POC) deployment at a local medical institution.
The partnership introduces HoloMedicine, a cloud-based solution hosted on Microsoft Azure. The setup removes the need for hospital IT integration, reduces operational and security issues, and allows for scalability. Using 3D smart glasses and powered by PLDT and Smart’s 5G network, the platform supports surgical visualization, medical training, and collaborative pre-operative planning.
HoloMedicine enables clinicians to view and interact with 3D medical imaging, anatomical models, and patient data in real time within their physical environment.
“Mixed Reality presents a powerful opportunity to reimagine the way we deliver care, train our healthcare professionals, and collaborate across distances,” said Gio Abaquin, head of strategic business development and innovations at PLDT Enterprise. “Through this initiative, we aim to showcase how next-generation connectivity, paired with advanced visualization tools like HoloMedicine, can make world-class healthcare more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered.”
The POC addresses challenges such as the limits of 2D imaging, risks in preoperative planning, training gaps, and compliance with data privacy. With MR, clinicians may improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline surgical planning, enhance patient understanding, and enable remote training and collaboration.
“Our vision is to see stronger adoption of Mixed Reality in healthcare and education worldwide, empowering clinicians, educators, and patients with tools that are practical, scalable, and transformative,” said Sirko Pelzl, CEO of apoQlar GmbH.
HoloMedicine has been adopted by medical institutions globally for training and teaching in multiple specialties. In the Philippines, the platform’s immersive features could strengthen medical curricula and support collaborative learning for students and healthcare professionals.
The solution is designed to be cloud- and device-agnostic, allowing integration with other healthcare technologies. Its architecture ensures that no patient data is stored on hospital premises, addressing privacy and compliance requirements.