Building a Smarter City: Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital Partners with Biomedica to Deploy an AI-Based Osteoporosis Screening Solution for Middle-Aged and Senior Citizens

Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital (KVGH), the major healthcare center serving northern Kaohsiung, has long been committed to the health and well-being of veterans and the elderly. To further strengthen its community-level preventive medicine capabilities, KVGH today announced a collaboration with Biomedica Corporation to introduce the advanced AI-assisted osteoporosis diagnostic solution AIXA. This initiative is expected to deliver faster and more accessible osteoporosis screening for the public.

The partnership marks a significant milestone in Kaohsiung’s development as a smart-healthcare city and reinforces KVGH’s leadership in preventive medicine, building on its established reputation for smart-hospital infrastructure.

Osteoporosis is often referred to as a “silent disease.” Early-stage patients typically show no symptoms, yet the condition significantly increases the risk of fractures that can result in costly long-term care. Despite the clinical burden, public awareness remains low.

Dr. Yu Hsien-Chung, Director of the KVGH Health Management Center, explained that although dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is accurate, the equipment is expensive and only available in limited locations. By contrast, Biomedica’s AI-powered X-ray analysis technology uses standard hip radiographs from existing X-ray machines and generates an osteoporosis-risk report within seconds. The non-invasive and efficient workflow is particularly beneficial for older adults with mobility challenges and helps overcome traditional access barriers.

This successful deployment is backed by the strong support of Legislator Chih-Chieh Hsu, a long-time advocate for Kaohsiung’s smart-city development. Legislator Hsu actively facilitated cross-sector collaboration among government, academia, industry, and healthcare providers, and witnessed firsthand how technology can translate into tangible public-health benefits.

He stated, “Applying smart-medical technology to community-level care is a critical step toward a livable and intelligent Kaohsiung. KVGH’s AI osteoporosis screening program is a concrete realization of the smart-city vision. Going forward, we will continue to secure resources to ensure every citizen benefits from medical innovation.”

The initiative is also supported by the Kaohsiung City Health Bureau, which has approved a self-paid procedure code, formally integrating AIXA into the routine check-up services of the KVGH Health Management Center.

With existing infrastructure including low-dose CT for lung cancer screening and DEXA bone-density measurement, KVGH’s Health Management Center will now offer more comprehensive and precise preventive-care services by integrating the AI-assisted osteoporosis diagnostic system.

This innovative service strengthens KVGH’s position as a benchmark for smart healthcare and enables Kaohsiung residents to more conveniently monitor their bone health—supporting early detection, early intervention, and a healthier aging population.

For program information, please visit the KVGH Health Management Center website or contact the service hotline.