Zhejiang Province has made pioneering strides in healthcare by launching Anzhener, an AI-powered digital health assistant, in collaboration with Alipay, a prominent mobile payment platform in China. This innovative assistant utilizes artificial intelligence, big data, and sophisticated models to deliver cloud-based medical services, including health management and consultations, to aid patients in navigating their healthcare experience.

The Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital has fully adopted Anzhener, showcasing a model for healthcare facilities across the region. Patients can conveniently access Anzhener through a mini-app on Alipay, facilitating easy navigation from arriving at the hospital to moving within it. According to Yuan Fang, the director of outpatient services, the system assists patients throughout their visits by providing directions, such as where to pick up medications.

Additionally, the digital assistant sends real-time reminders for medical appointments and examinations, significantly alleviating anxiety during hospital visits. In the past month alone, Anzhener was utilized by approximately 90,000 patients, leading to over 535,700 appointment reminders issued. Its navigation capabilities saved patients an average of 15 minutes, with some out-of-town visitors saving up to two hours.

The success of Anzhener has enabled its implementation in over 1,000 medical institutions across Zhejiang, benefiting nearly 5 million individuals and boasting a satisfaction rate of 98%. The system has also halved the workload typically found at hospital information desks. However, Yuan noted the ongoing challenge of ensuring the AI system remains user-friendly and adaptable to different scenarios, requiring ongoing adjustments based on user feedback.

Patients have expressed their appreciation for the system's functionality. For instance, Shen Kaijian shared how Anzhener has empowered him to navigate his healthcare independently. With plans to expand Anzhener’s capabilities to include inpatient care and emergency services, Alipay's digital health division is committed to ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage and has also launched the "AI Health Manager," which offers over 30 medical services, such as locating doctors and interpreting medical reports.