This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
On May 6, 2020, Telkom announced its partnership with Afya Rekod to power a health management platform that will facilitate COVID-19 monitoring and analysis in Kenya.
The platform, developed in March this year, provides a virtual repository for individuals to store their health data in real-time.
Users can access the platform via USSD code: 380#, or by downloading the Afya Rekod App via Google Play Store.
The platform uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules and blockchain technology to ensure that it is adaptive, dynamic, and secured for public usage.
According to Telkom's Chief Executive Officer, Mugo Kibati, the platform will enable users to capture real-time data that will heat-map areas where COVID-19 infections are growing, and monitor the growth in real-time.
"As a telco, we are happy to play a role in ensuring that the people of Kenya are able to share real-time information of any symptoms they may experience related to COVID-19, keep logs of their progress, be able to get the right information, as well as have access to health workers who can support them with the initial consultation," said Kibati.
The platform is a centralised, multilingual, intelligent health data platform that converts structured and unstructured data to global health data record-keeping, using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) and other international standards.
Afya Rekod's founder and CEO, John Kamara, added that the platform's decentralised nature will support the relevant health authorities with the efficient general management of the spread of the disease, resource mobilisation, and patient support, where required.
"Afya Rekod and Telkom are in talks with County Governments to pilot the use of the platform with their health workers, for the facilitation of training and in-App consultation," said Kamara.
Five counties, including West Pokot, Tharaka Nithi, Nandi, Isiolo, and Garissa, have already confirmed their participation in the initiative.
