​With the consent of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies including companies, began developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based platform to create a real-time government dashboard.
This was said by Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah during yesterday's joint-conference at the Al-'Afiah Hall.
The minister added that the dashboard acts as an addition to the surveillance and monitoring currently being implemented by the government and as one of the most accurate sources of information on the latest COVID-19 situation in the country and around the world.
As part of this initiative, the minister said that the real-time web application platform will let people know the latest number of COVID-19 outbreaks in the country and around the world starting last night at 7pm, including information on the numbers of active cases, cured patients, those still undergoing quarantine, those in critical condition and so on.
"However, in the future, information can be obtained in detail such as outbreaks by districts, mukims and locations which will enable authorities to take certain action," said the minister.
The real-time government dashboard web application. PHOTO: RAHWANI ZAHARI
He added that the platform also has an online delf-screening tool that allows individuals to assess if they have COVID-19 symptoms and subsequently provide specific advice for
action by the individual.
The minister said the platform will enable the government to utilise big data science and Al-Algorithms to help parties to find out the population's health status, infection rate prediction, medical resource mapping and to be able to effectively plan system management, provision of national healthcare equipment and preparation of specific policies.
This larga-scale initiative, said the minister, "Would not have been possible without continuous and coordinated efforts of the government and private stakeholders such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, the IT Protective Security Services Sdn Bhd (ITPSS), Dynamik Technologies Sdn Bhd, and Unified National Networks Sdn Bhd (UNN), as well as partner YiduCloud Technology Co Ltd - a leading healthcare technology company in China - to continue developing data-based infrastructure intelligence that connects and enhances the efficiency and quality of the healthcare ecosystem in the country.
"The real-time web application platform can be used after people receive a Push SMS, which was send to all mobile phone numbers in the country in phases starting 7pm last night, and the people can use the web application to self-assess their health status - if they may be at risk of being infected with COVID-19 or otherwise. Any information contained in this system will be classified as confidential and will not be shared with any party," the minister added.
"Additional features will be included in the intended platform to make it more comprehensive, including official government press releases that can serve as a source of information for the public to monitor COVID-19 developments in the country," said the minister. The public is encouraged to refer to this web application to assist the government in its efforts to curb related infections.
The platform can be accessed at www.healthinfo.gov.bn
