Covid 19 Self-Assessment App; A Novel Effort from Goa Government

The Central Government’s efforts in battling the spread of the Covid-19 has been unparallel. Yet, the major crisis today is the dearth of medical facilities to confirm the suspected cases, where the sick are qued-up in the hospital beds lacking proper ailments. However, Goa, in collaboration with a YS firm Innovaccer, has brought-forth the first-ever self-assessment app for Covid 19 infection. Named as TEST YOURSELF GOA, it is an automated technological solution for the citizens where the intervention will provide detailed information on Self Quarantine, Helpline numbers to reach-out to, and other such information.

Vishwajit Rane, Honorable Minister for Health, Government of Goa, says, “The partnership with Innovaccer is one of the critical elements in our strategy to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Goa and the nation. We are proud to become the first state in India to adopt technology solutions to tackle Coronavirus. I appeal to all our citizens to make use of the application to the fullest and take necessary safety measures”.

Innovaccer is a leading San Francisco-based healthcare technology company dedicated to offering AI-based analytics to automate routine workflows and reduce manual labour in patient-centred care. With this new application by Innovaccer, users can avail a virtual interface to conduct a survey-based self-assessment test based on the symptoms.

The partnership with Innovaccer is one of the critical elements in our strategy to address the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Goa and the nation.

Accordingly, the application will suggest solutions to take the next step without having to physically visit a healthcare facility. This will not only decrease the rush in public health centres, but also reduce the further spread of the virus during a public assembly at the respective centres.

“The application automatically sends the educational materials on prevention guidelines, steps to take in quarantine, and other relevant information from the Directorate of Health. The solution automates the identification processes by sending self-evaluation assessments as patients book appointments,” says Dr. Jose D' Sa, Director, Directorate of Health Services, Government of Goa.

As panic prevails due to the lack of public know-how, a self-educating application was one of the first need and measure to contain the Covid 19 outbreak by assuring people with healthcare tips and self-care insights to never fall out of help. This initiative from the Goan government is a real eye-opener for other Indian states and will surely be a step ahead in taking measures.

Dr. Bandekar, Dean of General Medical Services (GMC) said, “It is a very critical time for everyone in the nation. I offer my deepest condolences to the families which have lost loved ones to the coronavirus disease. It is crucial that we explore every possible way to prevent it from spreading more and affecting Goa. The partnership with Innovaccer will allow us to spread awareness among the citizens and help them conduct self-assessment of their health condition in an automated fashion and be one step ahead in beating the Coronavirus”.