The Quezon City government will use "artificial intelligence (AI)" to track down and monitor suspected or probable coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in the city in a bid to further slow down the spread of the virus.
In launching the BANTAI COVID project, the local government aims to "remotely reach and monitor" those who have been exposed to COVID-19 patients using "a centralized database repository for patients’ information and data that is accessible to health workers at any particular time."
The said individuals will be monitored via text message, "in a real-time manner."
“This will give us a daily census of patients’ real-time status including the date of their admission, discharge and recovery, among others. There will be more data for us to interpret and use,” Dr. Rolando Cruz, head of the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), said.
The local government said the project will augment and improve healthcare services by bridging patients with health experts without physical engagements using the latest technology called telemedicine.
“Our health workers, including volunteer doctors, will be able to pull out a record and conduct triage, and refer the patient to any hospital or quarantine facility as needed,” Cruz said.
Mayor Joy Belmonte described the project as "timely," saying the "latest method will help spare healthcare workers from unnecessary exposure and risks.”
“Aside from medical advice, we want them to know they have someone to turn to or consult whenever they feel the need. We’re happy this project will address this," Belmonte said.