PLDT Enterprise, the corporate business unit of PLDT Inc., and apoQlar are introducing mixed reality (MR) technology to the Philippine healthcare sector.
The companies are deploying HoloMedicine, a cloud-based solution that uses Microsoft Azure, in a proof-of-concept (POC) at a local hospital.
THE setup bypasses the need for complex IT integration within the hospital, which helps reduce operational and security issues while making the system easy to scale.
The POC is designed to address challenges in the healthcare sector, including the limitations of 2D imaging, risks in preoperative planning, data privacy compliance and training inequities.
By using MR technology, clinicians can improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline surgical planning, and enhance patient comprehension. It also enables remote collaboration and training, breaking down geographical barriers to advanced care.
“Mixed Reality presents a powerful opportunity to reimagine the way we deliver care, train our healthcare professionals, and collaborate across distances,” Gio Abaquin, head of Strategic Business Development and Innovations at PLDT Enterprise, said.
“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,” he said.
Sirko Pelzl, chief executive of apoQlar GmbH, said: “We are excited to partner with PLDT Enterprise to bring HoloMedicine to the Philippines. 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.”
HoloMedicine has been adopted by leading medical institutions to expand training opportunities and support multi-specialty teaching environments. For clinicians and educators in the Philippines, the platform’s immersive capabilities offer the potential to strengthen medical curricula, enhance proctoring experiences, and create interactive, collaborative learning for healthcare professionals and students.
The POC will be supported by apoQlar to deliver its proven HoloMedicine platform. PLDT’s dedicated 5G network will ensure seamless, high-performance MR experiences for all participants.
The solution is designed to be device- and cloud-agnostic, enabling future expansion into other clinical disciplines or integration with emerging healthcare technologies. Its secure, cloud-based architecture ensures that no patient data or application components are stored or processed on hospital premises, addressing critical data privacy and compliance requirements.
As part of its commitment to supporting industries and businesses, PLDT Enterprise continues to champion transformative innovations that enable digital transformation, enhance industry efficiency, and bridge access to quality care.
