BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY FOR COMBATTING COVID-19: SOLUTIONS FOR INDONESIA’S ENDLESS WAVE OF PANDEMIC

Abstract

With the rise of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia, the importance of blockchain implementation in systems of storing data, tracking vaccination and positive patients is more than necessary in a populated country such as Indonesia. Indonesia’s poor handling of the virus outbreak has resulted in over one million cases. With an unscientific approach to battling the pandemic, minimal testing rates and low contact tracing, Indonesia is seen to be stuck in an endless first wave. With blockchain integration, Electronic medical records along with supply chain in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry are aspects in which blockchain can make significant impacts to improve clinical trial data, contract tracing system for COVID-19 and provide effective communication between stakeholders in the vaccine supply chain. This article uses an explorative study on the state-of-the-art in blockchain technology that have developed blockchain implementation in the healthcare sector and their applications whilst connecting it with the COVID-19 urgencies’. This article provides a summary on the ways blockchain implementation can solve the issues of data ownership, ineffective COVID-19 tracking system and vaccination supply. In the end, there still needs to be more research and a better understanding of areas in our nation that needs support to better shape a beneficial blockchain ecosystem for tackling COVID-19.