Singapore: Ningbo Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission and Neusoft Xikang Healthcare Technology recently inaugurated China's first cloud based hospital, "Ningbo Cloud Hospital," that is equipped with cutting-edge information technologies of cloud computing, big data and Internet of Things.

The hospital officially started operations on March 11, 2015 and will launch an online laboratory and also offer long distance services outside Ningbo. In a recent interview with a leading China daily, Mr Wang Renyuan, director, Ningbo health Municipal Bureau, said, "Currently, 100 primary medical institutions are included on the online healthcare coordination platform, and 226 specialists and family physicians have signed contracts with the hospital."

Mr Wang further added that China's healthcare system is plagued with issues like difficulty accessing medical resources, high medical costs, rising doctor-patient tensions and the heavy workload of doctors. The internet is a tool that can change this situation quickly and efficiently, he observed.

The hospital has set up 4 "Cloud Diagnosis Rooms" online with hypertension, diabetes, psychological consultation and general practitioners. In addition, Ningbo Cloud Hospital has inked deals with local pharmacies and third-party organizations, therefore the prescriptions given by "cloud doctors" online can be transmitted to local pharmacies conveniently, and local residents can head to the nearest pharmacy to pick up their medicine.