Ms.Saichon Submakudom, Head of Public Relations at Advanced Info Service Plc. (AIS) noted, "As a digital life service provider, our core inspiration is exploiting digital technology to level up quality of life for every Thai person. For instance, in public health, we developed the Aor Sor Mor Online application seven years ago as a tool to upgrade the work of Village Health Volunteers (VHV) to efficiently promote and create wellness and health for the mass of Thai people. Currently over 500,000 volunteers use the app regularly, a number increasing continuously, as functions have been added which are in line with community healthcare goals. These include screening for COVID-19, surveys of mental health, and monitoring the situation of mosquito larvae, the usual vector for dengue hemorrhagic fever. The app also compiles data on various aspects of health care. As well as making volunteers' work more flexible, the app has enabled efficient assessments of quality of life and well-being of local people in the community.
"Being presented with the Prime Minister's Digital Awards 2021 under Digital Community of the Year in the category of Well-being, which we have been awarded jointly with Chaturaphak Phiman Hospital, Roi-et Public Health Office and local Village Health Volunteers, is a great source of pride for us. It is another motivation and a proof of our steadfastness in pursuing our goal of integrating all sectors to work together seamlessly, with the concrete outcome of improving quality of life for Thai people with digital technology."
Dr Piti Tangpaisan, the doctor in charge of Roi-et Public Health Office commented, "We have consistently encouraged our officers to use digital technology in their practice, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health officials have been able to access epidemiological screening and monitoring data for risk groups, as well as productively plan joint operations with volunteers. All of these advantages highlight that the application of digital technology coupled with the readiness of every officer to learn and adapt enables the whole network to work efficiently, while assisting the public inclusively, rapidly and equally."
Mr.Supatsak Pansila Director of Jaturapakpiman Hospital, Roi-et, added, "During the COVID-19 situation, every doctor, nurse and public health officer had to work extremely hard. There was an emphasis was assisting the public with technology such as the Aor Sor Mor app. Frontline workers such as the health volunteers used it to collect data on people in the area, thoroughly and in real-time. In particular, monitoring COVID in the community enabled us to set management plans for the group of patients in home isolation, or monitoring risk groups to receive the appropriate attention. We were also able to use the data for urgent reports to management at the district and province level in the case of infection clusters, which was monitoring in maximally efficient fashion."
Mrs.Krittiya Tummawat Village Health Volunteers., Jaturapakpiman Hospital gave additional information. "Our operations have been transformed over the last year or so. COVID-19 gave us limitations, but the Aor Sor Mor Online enabled us to screen target groups in the community by ourselves, with features to collect data easily, rapidly and flexibly while reducing contact. We did not have to wait for medical personnel, who were already overworked. We could track target groups, and give advice for people to care for themselves properly. The more flexibly we were able to use the app, the better we were able to care for the populace. It is a great proactive tool to look after the public's overall health."
Prime Minister's Digital Awards 2021 for Digital Community of the Year in the category of Well-being this year were presented to AIS, Chaturaphak Phiman Hospital, Roi-et Public Health Office and local Village Health Volunteers. They were cited for employing digital technology for economic and social benefit and to upgrade quality of life of people in communities. In that particular community, a total of 427 volunteers, or 100%, have been using the Aor Sor Mor Online app proactively in their work. They have been using key features such as screening for COVID, with an emphasis on tracing people arriving from different areas to monitor the spread of infection efficiently. Another feature is to screen public health of over 6,000 individuals (collecting data from 1 January 2021-28 February 2022). This has helped overall mental health care in the community to be inclusive and consistent. This is clear evidence highlighting that the hands-on deployment of digital technology for both physical and mental health care is an excellent model for the integration of every sector - government at both local and national levels, as well as the private sector.
"Throughout the health crisis from the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing inequality of access to health services with digital technology to promote quality of life in every district, and especially remote rural areas is at the heart of our efforts. AIS will continue to develop its network to cover every area of the country, while remaining committed to the goal of deploying digital technology in every form, and developing it for people in every sector down to the local level. They now have efficient tools in their hands to achieve their mission of looking after Thai people's health as best as they can," concluded Saichon.
Source: AIS
