Daewoong Pharmaceutical aims to create a comprehensive national infrastructure that effectively cares for vulnerable areas where existing physical medical facilities struggle to reach. This will be achieved by combining local integrated care services promoted by local governments with innovative digital healthcare capabilities. In an interview with News1 on Monday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lee Chang-jae stated that it plans to expand the collaboration model by merging the strong administrative power and budgets of local governments with Daewoong Pharmaceutical’s advanced digital healthcare systems.
Partnering with Gwangju City to Advance Digital and AI Healthcare Industry
This collaboration with local governments is laying the groundwork for a nationwide 24-hour health monitoring system. With nearly 2 million elderly individuals living alone in South Korea, addressing issues such as solitary deaths and neglected medical emergencies has become a pressing concern.
CEO Lee believes that by combining local government health budgets and administrative networks with Daewoong’s digital solutions, effective management is achievable. The recent strategic agreement with Gwangju City marks the beginning of this innovative healthcare initiative.
Lee explained that cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) software and devices are designed to ensure patients receive timely, accurate diagnoses and optimal treatments at minimal cost. He added that he shared the Gwangju mayor’s vision that no citizen should go untreated when known to be ill.
Under the agreement, Gwangju City will provide AI infrastructure, offer administrative support to businesses, and facilitate cooperation between academia and industry. Gwangju’s Dong-gu district will support the AI healthcare service pilot project.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical aims to drive industry growth through AI healthcare research and development (R&D), pilot projects, and startup incubation, while boosting Gwangju’s economy and improving public health.
Lee stated that while the ultimate goal is 24/7 monitoring for all citizens, they’re starting with Gwangju City due to current limitations. He believes that implementing a home monitoring system linked to Dong-gu’s two university hospitals could significantly reduce cases of neglect and missed critical care windows.
The company will also contribute to Dong-gu’s AI healthcare startup complex, a multi-purpose facility offering startup support, pilot projects, and health screenings for residents.
Daewoong plans to establish a demonstration center, allowing the public to experience advanced digital healthcare devices firsthand.
Lee emphasized the importance of raising awareness about healthcare partnerships with local governments. It aims to collect vital medical data nationally while ushering in an era of more precise, personalized healthcare, he said.
Beyond Pills: Prescribing Smart Beds for Round-the-Clock Health Monitoring
At the heart of this local government collaboration is technology that minimizes patient discomfort while gathering accurate data. The goal is to prescribe smart beds like medication, enabling continuous at-home monitoring.
Lee explained that it’s crucial to make the smart bed system available for home use through a prescription model. It is working with local governments to make this home monitoring solution accessible to those who need it most.
One of Daewoong’s key innovations is Mobicare, a small, lightweight wearable patch. When applied to the chest, it can continuously monitor heart activity for over 72 hours.
Unlike traditional hospital visits, which may miss intermittent heart conditions, Mobicare effectively detects hidden issues while patients go about their daily lives.
The ring-shaped Cart B.P. Pro (for clinical use) and Cart B.P. (for consumers) allow real-time blood pressure monitoring via smartphone apps.
These devices can identify conditions like white coat hypertension and masked hypertension, potentially revolutionizing cardiovascular care for the elderly living alone.
The thynC system, central to the monitoring setup, can detect cardiac arrest early, Lee noted. They’ve seen cases where it’s saved lives in hospitals, and the devices are building a track record of predicting potential health issues.
Bringing Healthcare to Underserved Areas: Islands, Mountains, and Beyond
Daewoong has demonstrated the effectiveness of its digital healthcare devices in medically underserved areas through targeted outreach programs.
Working alongside medical professionals, they’ve used these devices to diagnose conditions in elderly residents who struggle to access hospitals. This approach has successfully identified numerous cases of severe, often symptomless conditions like arrhythmias, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and sarcopenia.
These initiatives go beyond one-time screenings. By continuously monitoring biometric data, they can trigger remote consultations and long-term treatment plans when abnormalities are detected. This approach shows promise in bridging healthcare gaps across geographical barriers.
Lee stated that they’re deploying mobile health screening units and diagnostic solutions in remote areas, partnering with local governments. Its mission is to create an environment where every citizen can enjoy a long, healthy life, regardless of where they live.