The Chinese University of Hong Kong and its partners have recently unveiled the first medical data space in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This groundbreaking initiative aims to foster medical collaboration and scientific research development within the $2 trillion economic region.
The collaboration involves key partners such as the International Data Space Association, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), the National Engineering Centre for Next Generation Internet, and CUHK Big Data Ltd. These stakeholders are actively working on building the infrastructure’s interoperability to ensure seamless data sharing and exchange.
The primary goal of this medical data space is to prioritize data security throughout the entire data lifecycle, from generation to destruction or archiving. By establishing this cross-border medical data space, CUHK intends to facilitate the flow and application of medical data across borders, enabling the region’s medical industry to engage in international cooperation and contribute to global health technology advancements.
Several prominent institutions have already joined this initiative as founding members, including Zhongda Hospital, Shenzhen Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone Hospital, and Guangzhou Nansha District Health and Health Bureau. Additionally, the Hong Kong eHealth Alliance, China Big Data Co., and The University of Hong Kong are actively participating in this transformative project.
The launch of the medical data space builds upon the recent formation of a digital health alliance consisting of 12 members in China’s Greater Bay Area. This alliance, spearheaded by HKSTP, set the stage for the development of the medical data space. The collaboration between HKSTP and Hospital Authority Hong Kong led to the establishment of a data collaboration laboratory in 2023, offering exclusive access to the HA Self-service Data Platform, which houses anonymous clinical records of approximately 200,000 patients.
Furthermore, the creation of the Greater Bay Area medical data space aligns with China’s Trusted Data Space Development Action Plan, launched by the National Data Administration of China last year. This strategic plan aims to pilot over a hundred trusted data spaces by 2028, fostering industry-wide data collaborations and generating economic value in the process.
Overall, the launch of the medical data space in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area represents a significant milestone in advancing healthcare innovation and research collaboration across borders. This initiative holds immense potential for driving transformative advancements in global health technology and fostering international cooperation within the medical industry.
