Baidu, through its blockchain wing, Baidu Super Chain, is working towards building a blockchain-based big medical network. The move further illustrating that despite China banning cryptocurrencies, major companies in the country continue to invest heavily in the technology that powers virtual currencies. 

Chongqing births the Baidu big medical Network

The project was launched during this years‘ blockchain summit held at the Chongqing International Expo Center. Notably, the blockchain-based big medical network seeks to address key issues that have plagued the Chinese health sector. Particularly security and privacy of medical data.

The blockchain platform will be responsible for storing and safeguarding patient inspection reports, electronic prescriptions, and diagnostic records. Additionally, the Network will encompass other sectors such as medical insurance to provide an all-round medical system in the country.

Currently, most Chinese hospitals use relatively independent systems that don’t have a reliable link between departments. For instance, an ERP system used in a hospital pharmacy may not be able to access data from the hospital’s information system. Consequently, it may lead to prescriptions being shared, overdue prescriptions, unethical usage, and counterfeiting.

The Guangzhou Internet Court will be a node

To counter these problems, everything – from diagnostic information, earlier drug use, prescription, drug collection and or delivery – will be recorded on Baidu’s blockchain-based big medical network. Also, to enhance its credibility, the blockchain platform will be connected to other multi-node backups such as the Arbitration Commission, the Guangzhou Internet Court, and the Copyright Bureau, among others.

According to Xiao Wei, Director of Baidu Blockchain Lab, Baidu’s blockchain-centered medical services solution will help solve the lack of medical supervision and the problem of medical fraud.

Speaking at the blockchain summit, Wei said that Baidu turned to blockchain since moving medical processes to the Internet would compound the problems instead of providing a solution. Blockchain technology, Wei added, is tamper-proof and decentralized, meaning that it doesn’t have a single point of failure.

Remote video communication included

Apart from security and privacy, the Baidu blockchain platform supports remote video communication between doctors and patients. Surprisingly, the doctor can offer a prescription, and a real-time circulation is made on the side of the medical insurance bureau. After settling the bill, the medication is delivered to the patient.

Wei also pointed out that electronic prescriptions will help the Chinese government in enacting medical regulations.