Google and Karnataka: Partners in public health?

Google and the southwest Indian state of Karnataka are possible partners in public health, reports the Economic Times.

“Early-stage talks”

Reports suggest that the ubiquitous tech giant is “in early-stage talks” with the Karnataka state government. Discussions concern the possible development of a new and more efficient way to collate and analyse public health data. This new method will be tech-based, supplanting paperwork with digital software and mobile apps. This will simplify and streamline the process.

The proposals were inspired by observations that health workers spend two hours each day writing out reports by hand. Workers also spend two days each month analysing the data.

The ET quotes a source who says an app will save time for the workers. The app will also “motivate them by letting them know how their reports are being acted upon.” A trial run of the app is planned in the Yadgir district.

“A comprehensive approach” – and a boon for Karnataka

Google intends to incorporate the app into “a comprehensive approach where huge amounts of data become shareable.” This approach links together the various other health-themed ventures developed by the tech titan.

The company has yet to officially comment, however. It is important to remember that any kind of deal is still in the formative stages and certainly not definite at this point. 

These talks do not mark Google’s first foray into Indian healthcare. A deal was previously struck with the Chennai-based Apollo Hospitals chain, to include a new feature on Google’s signature search engine for users. The feature lets users access information on more than 400 diseases through an information card. This appears when one of the specified illnesses is entered in the search bar. India is the only the third country to receive access to the application, after the United States and Brazil.