Applauding the Arogya Setu app which was developed in India, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that it has aided the Indian health departments to spot coronavirus clusters and also enlarge the testing in those areas. The government has been using the app to notify users about coronavirus cases.
“Aarogya Setu app from India has been downloaded by 150 million users and has helped city public health departments to identify areas where clusters could be anticipated and expand testing in a targeted way,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The Arogya Setu app was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April when a nationwide lockdown was imposed and the country was going through its first lockdown phase. At the time of its launch, the Arogya Setu app received mixed reviews and many were concerned about people's privacy issues.
However, lakhs of Indians have downloaded and have been using the health app developed by the government of India. Since its launch, the centre has promoted and pushed the use of Arogya Setu app vigorously. The app alerts its user with regular updates on it in case one tests positive for coronavirus and also if they come in contact with a Covid-19 infected person.
The Arogya setu app became one of the most downloaded apps for tracking COVID-19, soon after its launch. During his media briefing on Tuesday, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also praised similar apps being used in Germany, Corona Warn app and the United Kingdom, NHS’s Covid-19 app that has helped healthcare systems in tracing susceptible covid infected persons.
India has crossed the mark of 71- lakhs, which is the highest in the world after the United States. WHO chief also lauded India’s efforts in containing the spread of coronavirus in the country especially in slums like Dharavi which is most densely populated slums of Mumbai.