Gem, a Venice-based blockchain platform provider, has launched Gem Health – a network for developing applications and shared infrastructure for healthcare.

Gem noted that the healthcare industry is currently experiencing the strain of digital services that run on top of antiquated, paper-based infrastructure, similar to banking and finance. Individuals want more interconnected services and a more personalized health plan, but for providers, this is impossible. The cost of providing personalized care to everyone is too high, and the risk of exposing such an interconnected ecosystem is too great, resulting in a fragmented and heavily siloed industry.

To that end, Gem said that blockchain technology will create a “new fabric” that connects the entire healthcare industry, weaving together critical data from every stage of the continuum of care. It believes that blockchain networks are a scalable solution for shared infrastructure that keeps critical patient data in the right hands.

“We imagine better quality of care for every patient, and easier, smarter systems for the providers that care for them. That’s why we created Gem Health”, it said. “Gem Health is a blockchain network for the global community of companies and individuals that take part in the continuum of care”.

Gem CEO Micah Winkelspecht told CoinDesk that the initiative aims to encourage the healthcare industry to explore the potential benefits blockchain could have in the creation of wellness apps, global patient ID software and secure electronic medical records. He added that Gem is investing in communications channels and physical events aimed at the industry.

In addition, Gem announced that its first partner in healthcare is Philips’ Blockchain Lab. They will work on exploring how blockchain technology can support a patient centric approach to healthcare.

Philips officially launched the Philips Blockchain Lab, located in its headquarters in Amsterdam, in March. The lab offers a dedicated environment where Philips IT experts, healthcare professionals, partners and blockchain developers will work together on research and exploration of potential use cases using the innovative cryptographic technology.

Earlier this year, Gem announced that it has closed $7.1 million in Series A funding led by Pelion Venture Partners and participated in by KEC Ventures, Blockchain Capital, Digital Currency Group, RRE Ventures and more.