Reliable, accurate and timely data is critical in any system for good governance and to plan any developmental activities. Without this, it is impossible to achieve the desired outcomes. As damaging and devastating as it has been on the country’s overall resources, the COVID-19 pandemic has also presented the government and public servants with the opportunity to gather, manage and share accurate data.
A few weeks after the pandemic hit the country, the health ministry together with other government offices developed several online systems including the DrukTrace App and Check Point Management System (CPMS) that help trace people during an outbreak of COVID-19. The ministry also developed a dashboard that provides real-time information regarding the country’s COVID cases.
The Prime Minister said these latest developments have enabled the government offices to collect, manage and share updated data to fight the virus spread in the community.
“For instance, there was a positive case in Thimphu and details need to be traced for the past three days including the number of cars and people travelled. The Police will be able to give us the report within ten minutes,” said the Prime Minister.
Besides, the Prime Minister added that the pandemic also enabled the foreign ministry to collect accurate data on Bhutanese abroad.
Moreover, the Prime Minister said the government’s Digital Drukyul Flagship Programme will further foster a data-driven culture in the public service. The health ministry is developing an online electronic patient information system, one component of the flagship programme.
The project is being developed by the Thimphu TechPark. The system, once developed, will maintain the digital health records of every Bhutanese.
“For instance, it will give us information on the lifetime treatment costs of one diabetic patient. For now, our health care projection is based on assumption, ten per cent onto the last budget costs. So, with this, it will help us in health-based analysis,” added the Prime Minister.
The pandemic has helped the country set up more, long-term, everyday systems and methods of data collection.
Sonam Tenzin
