CelcomDigi & HPUNIMAS launch digital health platforms in Sarawak
CelcomDigi and Hospital Pengajar Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (HPUNIMAS) have introduced MediRover and MediDoc, new digital healthcare platforms designed to enhance healthcare accessibility in Sarawak.
Challenges in rural healthcare delivery remain significant in Sarawak due to its vast territory and dispersed population. For many, accessing basic healthcare services entails long journeys to the nearest clinics, sometimes spanning several hours or more. The introduction of MediRover and MediDoc is intended to address these limitations by utilising technology and medical expertise to make healthcare services more readily available in remote areas.
MediRover and MediDoc
MediRover is a mobile clinic equipped with CelcomDigi's 5G and satellite connectivity, offering not only virtual consultations with doctors and specialists, but also AI-based diagnostics and remote patient monitoring. This setup enables secure teleconsultations, facilitates faster diagnosis of ailments through data analysis, and allows for continued monitoring of patients in remote areas.
MediDoc, on the other hand, supports the establishment of "Klinik Angkat" in rural communities and enables frontline workers to engage with HPUNIMAS specialists in real time. Designed to reduce patient travel and wait times, MediDoc integrates telemedicine, portable imaging, and wearable monitoring devices and offers immersive training to enhance the skills and capacity of rural healthcare workers.
CelcomDigi and HPUNIMAS state that the collaboration demonstrates the potential for partnerships and digital platforms to bridge the healthcare gap in Malaysia, especially in areas with limited resources. According to project data, before its formal launch, MediRover had already served approximately 8,000 residents in more than 30 communities. MediDoc has also been piloted in Ulu Skrang, Long Busang, Belaga, and Lubuk Antu, providing further evidence of telehealth's feasibility in Sarawak's remote areas.
Government support for digital health
YAB Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah, said:
"Sarawak's unique geography has always made healthcare delivery a challenge, especially for those living in the interiors. What we are witnessing today is a step forward in ensuring that healthcare reaches every Malaysian, regardless of distance. By leveraging digital connectivity, we are enabling faster, smarter, and more inclusive healthcare for Sarawak. This collaboration between CelcomDigi and HPUNIMAS shows how innovation and partnership can enhance public service delivery and uplift communities in line with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP)."
CelcomDigi's Chief Innovation Officer, T. Kugan, commented on the potential for these solutions to address healthcare access challenges, not only in Sarawak but also in other underserved communities throughout Malaysia:
Industry perspectives
"MediRover and MediDoc demonstrate how we can use 5G, AI, and satellite connectivity to close the distance between patients and doctors, especially in underserved areas. Our collaboration with HPUNIMAS brings together healthcare expertise and digital innovation. Beyond Sarawak, we see this as a model that can be scaled nationwide to deliver efficient, specialist-led care to more Malaysians."
UNIMAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Ahmad Hata Rasit, emphasised the partnership's impact on healthcare education and delivery, citing its alignment with the university's mission of societal benefit and improved outcomes:
"HPUNIMAS is proud to collaborate with CelcomDigi on this pioneering initiative that redefines how healthcare is delivered, taught, and experienced. Through MediRover and MediDoc, our teaching hospital can extend its expertise beyond the campus to communities that have traditionally been out of reach. This partnership aligns with UNIMAS' mission to apply research and innovation for the benefit of society and improve health outcomes for all Sarawakians."
Expanding through collaboration
CelcomDigi, UNIMAS, and Pusat Perubatan Universiti Malaya (PPUM) have formalised their commitment through a Memorandum of Agreement to further develop Sarawak's digital health infrastructure, with each partner playing defined roles. UNIMAS will lead research and telemedicine initiatives, PPUM will provide specialist support and AI healthcare validation, and CelcomDigi will deliver digital connectivity and smart healthcare platforms.
The collaboration involves the co-development of scalable smart healthcare solutions, piloting connected hospital models, and building capabilities through joint research and training, to benefit rural populations and support Malaysia's broader strategy for digital healthcare transformation.
