Tech Startup develops an innovative USSD solution to help Nigerians and health authorities to effectively combat COVID-19 or any future disease outbreak.

Instant Deposit Ltd ( https://instantdeposit.africa ), a digital financial technology services startup focused on taking financial inclusion to rural and semi-urban areas of Africa, in collaboration with its partners, has developed an innovative public health surveillance and early warning system called HealthRadar.NG ( https://healthradar.ng ) that helps both Nigerians and all levels of government combat coronavirus as well as any other potential outbreaks.

For quick self-test, citizens and residents are to simply dial the USSD code *347*61*2# to answer simple questions in English. To further the ease of use, HealthRadar.NG has a version of the self-test app in the 3 major Nigeria languages (Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba) *367*61*3#, *367*61*4# and *367*61*5# respectively. Further developments for other Nigerian languages can be adapted upon request.
The result of every test goes directly to relevant health authorities like NCDC or state approved contact points who will take swift action depending on the indication from the test. This gives opportunity for citizens and residents in Nigeria to play an important part in guiding the government at all levels on intervention and response planning.

Furthermore, HealthRadar.NG has additional USSD code *347*61*1# which enables frontline health workers such as patent medicine dealers, community pharmacists and community health extension workers at primary health facilities to capture all symptoms presented by anyone visiting a healthcare provider in any part of Nigeria. The idea according to Ernest Ike Ugwu, Co-Founder of Instant Deposit Ltd, is that any emerging disease outbreak or already present communicable diseases like tuberculosis, Lassa fever, etc. in any part of the country can be identified and tracked in a proactive manner.

Explaining further, Mr. Ugwu said the choice for USSD is that given the high number of mobile phones in Nigeria (172million according to the NCC), USSD apps can be used on any phone that can make a call. This makes it easier to reach every part of Nigeria especially at this critical time that the government is trying to contain and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Mr. Ugwu finally enjoined the state and local governments, NGOs, businesses and philanthropists to partner with HealthRadar.NG as it is a cost-effective means to take testing and contact tracing to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.

This solution i believe would go a long way to help government in solving the current problem at hand.