PLDT Enterprise explores mixed reality in healthcare through Holomedicine

PLDT Enterprise, the corporate arm of PLDT, in collaboration with apoQlar, is pioneering the use of Mixed Reality (MR) technology in Philippine healthcare through a proof-of-concept (POC) deployment at a local medical institution. The POC introduces HoloMedicine® as a cloud-based solution via Microsoft Azure, eliminating the need for hospital IT integration, minimizing operational and security challenges while ensuring scalability. Delivered through 3D smart glasses and powered by PLDT and Smart’s 5G network, this initiative aims to transform surgical visualization, immersive medical education, and collaborative pre-operative planning.

The HoloMedicine® platform, developed by Germany-based health tech innovator apoQlar, enables clinicians to visualize and interact with 3D medical imaging, anatomical models, and patient data in real time — directly within their physical environment. 
​
Empowering Philippine healthcare through innovation

This POC is designed to address key challenges in the healthcare sector, including the limitations of 2D imaging, risks in preoperative planning, data privacy compliance, and training inequities. By leveraging MR technology, clinicians can improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline surgical planning, enhance patient comprehension, and enable 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,” said Gio Abaquin, Head of Strategic Business Development and Innovations at PLDT Enterprise. “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.”

Sirko Pelzl, CEO of apoQlar GmbH, added, “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.”

Transforming care and education

Globally, 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 the proven HoloMedicine® platform adopted by leading medical institutions worldwide. PLDT’s dedicated 5G network will ensure seamless, high-performance MR experiences for all participants.

A vision for scalable impact

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 the growing challenges of industries and businesses, PLDT Enterprise continues to champion transformative innovations that enable digital transformation, enhance industry efficiency, and bridge access to quality care.