The Saudi Ministry of Health introduced the most useful feature in times of a pandemic: a coronavirus consultation window. The Mawid app offers a user-friendly interface where users can self-assess their health and determine weather they might be carrying COVID-19 symptoms or not.
How does it work?
This new feature boasts a list of questions, guidelines and instructions based on the users’ recent travel history and their symptoms.
“Importantly, if you suspect you have COVID-19 symptoms, please download the Mawid app and use the self-assessment tool to get guidance,” said Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
Through the #Mawid app, developed by the @SaudiMOH, users can perform self-assessments for #COVID19, protecting their safety and reducing risk of disease transmission. Users may then make appointments with their nearest medical care provider. pic.twitter.com/ldgBXgmFcD
— Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) April 1, 2020
The Mawid app was launched in 2019 in the ministry’s bid to implement digital transformation through technology. It couldn’t be more helpful at times where moving is strictly limited to minimize the outbreak as much as possible.
Through the Mawid app, these self-assessment tests have so far served around 250,000 individuals. Users can also book appointments at 2,400 health care centers in the Kingdom via a “Central Appointment System”, which allows them to manage their referral appointments.
Here’s what Saudi citizen Fatimah Ahmed told Arab News about her experience with Mawid self-assessments: “We went through the self-assessment process, answered the given questions and were given tips to follow. It is a good tool for other features, such as booking appointments and whatnot. However, I am very paranoid about the virus and when it comes to health, I am old-fashioned and prefer physical checkups to smart apps.”
