UAE Startup Relies on Blockchain Technology to Flatten COVID-19 Curve

UAE-based startup incubator, in5, is helping to design blockchain-based methods to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and thus flatten the curve.

According to a report published on May 20, Liber Health, supported by in5, is one of the platforms used for patient identification supported by blockchain technology. They are creating a contactless system to recognize the biometric ID data and analyze suspected COVID-19 symptoms.

Liber Health hopes that by tracking patients that have been in contact with suspected COVID-19 cases, they can help individuals apply quarantine measures as soon as possible.

Liber Health plans to expand conversations with major public and private sector entities, primarily in UAE, to implement the technology and reduce the number of COVID-19 infections.

The platform could save patient lives due to wrong diagnoses

Syed Abrar Ahmed, CEO of Liber Health, thinks that the platform could save “thousands of patient lives lost due to medical errors” caused by the lack of auditable data; a statement backed by Dr. Sana Farid, founder and CEO of the consulting firm Munfarid.

in5 also seeks to leverage 3D printing and robotics to design personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers in the country. Their proposed robotics aim to keep children engaged at home while creating a contactless biometric ID system.

Majed Al Suwaidi, managing director of Dubai Media City and in5 lead, stated:

“Dubai has always been a hub for talent, and we enable highly-skilled individuals with innovative ideas to thrive across our sector-focused ecosystems. Some of the sharpest minds are now creating potentially life-saving products and services to beat the virus, while others are proactively reaching out to relevant authorities to provide knowledge and expertise.”

Other use cases of blockchain to combat COVID-19

Cointelegraph reported on a partnership between IoT blockchain startup Ubirch and Nasdaq-listed Centogene on April 17. This partnership hopes to create a solution to securely handle the results of COVID-19 mass testing.

Blockchain-based solutions are also being used to alleviate COVID-19 issues in Latin America. Cointelegraph Spanish reported on May 20 about the momentum that the implementation of cryptographic and blockchain solutions is receiving in Colombia.