Digital Health has been central to Northern Ireland’s COVID-19 response. Its Health Minister announced a new health App Library to help people manage their health and wellbeing. ORCHA worked with Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland (HSCNI), in collaboration with the Department of Health in NI, to build this App Library.
Health Minister, Robin Swann, explains: Since taking up post as Health Minister I have made mental health and wellbeing a priority. In these unprecedented times it is hugely important to consider the impact that this deadly virus can have on our lives, including the impact on mental health and wellbeing. We must support people to look after their mental health and this new Apps library will provide a one stop shop where the public can access safe and secure apps to help them during the pandemic.
Since the start of the Coronavirus Pandemic, ORCHA has supported countries throughout the world to unlock the power of Digital Health. Its libraries have seen a 180% increase in visitors, health professionals using the platform to recommend apps to patients has risen by 6500% and downloads have grown by 182.5%.
ORCHA has evaluated 6,000 health apps to date and countries using its platform gain immediate access to this intelligence, with the ability to simply top up, adding localised criteria to reviews. This enables countries to be agile and deliver efficient, flexible solutions as required.
