The Corona Virus outbreak started in Wuhan, China, and has now spread to other parts of the country. Recently, here in Nigeria, the first case of Corona Virus was reported in Lagos. How are Chinese technology firms utilizing technology to control the epidemic, and what does this teach us about how technology can be used in the public health sector.
The Chinese President Xi Jimping was recently quoted by news agency Xinhua as saying that “the fight against the epidemic cannot be achieved without the support of science and technology.”
Firstly, technological support can come in many ways, shapes, and forms. Technology firms are contributing financially, or with services, equipment, data or information.
In terms of technological innovations, China’s tech giants have responded to the outbreak by deploying disinfecting drones, drones equipped with thermal cameras to improve detection of the virus, autonomous robots that make deliveries to hospitals and supply medical workers, and autonomous robots that bring food from restaurant kitchens to the customer to reduce human-to-human contact. Moreover, school has resumed for the second semester but lessons are now online.
In addition, at the Chinese president’s directive more online shopping options have been created and harnessed to reduce contact, and also to cater to people that are staying indoors to minimize contact. Temperature screening devices and machines that help in detecting the virus are also being deployed.
A number of tech companies in China have been providing technical support for doctors, nurses, and other personnel on the front lines. The newly constructed Huoshenshen Hospital in Wuhan was provided with 5G by China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, and Huawei. To assist in the development of a vaccine, Alibaba promised to provide free access to AI capabilities needed and Lenovo donated equipment.
The cybersecurity company Qi Anxin is providing free services to government departments, medical and disease control centres, media, and other organisations involved in the prevention and control of the outbreak. So too, Didi, China’s biggest ride-hailing provider, has teamed up with medical and aid organisations to allow workers who need to perform tasks related to data analysis, online simulation, or logistical support ,to use Didi’s servers for free.
Tech companies have also helped in the distribution of official information. WeChat launched a heat map that shows diagnoses across the country, and along with Baidu, WeChat has a function that shows hospitals and health clinics information from public health authorities.
Additionally, China Mobile and China Unicom have sent more than four billion text messages containing “epidemic early warnings, real-time traffic updates, public health suggestions, and prevention and control information to prevent the spread of harmful information and rumours on the internet.”
Another response of China to the outbreak was in terms of entertainment. According to CNN Business, “gaming in China is on the rise as people mostly stay indoors to protect themselves from the coronavirus outbreak”. Tencent’s mobile game, “Honor of Kings,” hit a new all-time high in daily average users during the week of January 30, according to Niko Partners, a research firm that focuses on the gaming industry in Asia.
All in all, Chinese tech companies have been ‘all hands on deck’ when it comes to tackling Corona Virus, and all the different ways technology has been used to do this in China shows us how technology can play a role! These are lessons Nigeria, as well as other countries affected by Corona Virus, can learn from and try to implement.
Sources:
Chinese Tech Responds to Coronavirus—Council on Foreign Relations
How do you think Nigeria can respond to the Corona Virus outbreak?
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Border closing, science and technology and awareness.
Definitely! You’re right there! Hopefully before things get worse.
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