How Blockchain Technology is Contributing in the Fight Against Covid-19?
Published on : Monday 13-04-2020
Since the world is facing a pandemic that causes global businesses at stake, it is now considering that digital technology can help combat the Covid-19 outbreak. In this way, Blockchain technology is using for various purposes to beat the pandemic, such as tracking Covid-19 cases, validating data, screening and others. Recently, a Canada-based blockchain company announced deployment of its blockchain-based coronavirus screening tool, designed to use by Sunny Side Home, a long-term care home owned by the Region of Waterloo.
According to the announcement, a request by Sunnyside Home resulted in the development of DOCit, a blockchain-powered app that will assist in screening residents for common symptoms of Covid-19. The tool aims to employ and configure any screening or recurring task, which will enable reporting standards for care providers, operations staff, and National, Provincial, or Regional health authorities.
On the other hand, blockchain technology has been recognized under critical infrastructure services in the Covid-19 guidelines issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has classified distributed ledger technology as essential to reining in the growing menace of the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest federal guidance on blockchain in Covid-19 critical services means the staff working in crucial sectors that are vital to maintaining the essential infrastructure must maintain their regular operations. Blockchain in Covid-19 classified as critical services due to its role in the agriculture and food supply chain.
CISA issued the first list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers who are going to make sure community functions are not interrupted during the coronavirus health emergency. These are essential to the continuity of basic services necessary for the safety of public health.
With the help of blockchain, organizations can securely manage distributed resources amongst a number of organizations without any third party. Through this, companies could get the ability to create a shared database with all research around Covid-19 and could share with the whole world to be collaborated to find the cure.
Moreover, joined forces with major blockchain firms, government agencies and global health organizations, the World Health Organization (WHO), has built a blockchain-driven control and communications system, MiPasa, which will quickly and more precisely detect Covid-19 carriers and infection hotspots. The platform promises to securely share previously siloed health and location information between individuals, state authorities and health institutions.
MiPasa has been launched in partnership with IBM, Oracle, enterprise blockchain platform Hacera and IT corporation Microsoft. According to IBM, MiPasa is aimed at solving one of the major issues facing clinicians, scientists and researchers – the lack of integration of verified data sources that can be used with confidence. MiPasa uses the IBM Blockchain Platform and IBM Cloud to make data analytics and privacy tools openly available on a Hyperledger platform and deliver an integrated source of verified cases.
So, since we have already seen the capabilities of blockchain in the financial world and its global dominance has surged rapidly in the recent few years, we believe the application of the technology will play a vital role in the fight against Covid-19.