Salud Digital | El eficaz manejo de la pandemia en Uruguay utilizando tecnología de datos y estrategias interconectadas

Effective management of the pandemic in Uruguay using data technology and interconnected strategies

From the first case registered in the second week of March to the first week of July, Uruguay has less than 1,000 confirmed cases and more than 800 recovered patients.

The first challenge of Uruguay's new administration (2020-2025), was to restrain the advance of COVID-19 in the country, since just 12 days after the entrance of the new government, the first four cases of coronavirus were confirmed. President Luis Lacalle Pou took office on 1 March 2020, and days later on 11 March, the World Health Organization (WHO), declared the COVID-19 outbreak, as a pandemic.

Daniel Salinas, current Minister of Health, held a meeting on 28 February, days before taking office, with a group of experts after learning the COVID-19 global picture. The idea of creating a group of scientific experts to deal with the epidemic would be born from that meeting.

On 19 March the Ministry of Health ordered the establishment of the Committee of Scientific Experts in Crisis Management, saying that "due to the situation it is essential to have the opinion of experts in various scientific areas".

The scientists chosen for this diverse committee were: Dr. José Pedro Arcos of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Roberto Salvatela, Advisor on Infectious Diseases of PAHO/WHO, Dr. Julio Medina, Director of the Chair of Infectious Diseases, Dr. Jorge Facal, Director of the Medical Clinic "1" of the Maciel Hospital, Dr. Julio Vignolo, Director of the Chair of Family Medicine, Colonel, Dr. Lilian Porta of the Department of Epidemiology of the National Directorate of Health of the Armed Forces and the. Dr. Henry Albornoz, infectologist medical doctor, intensivist and advisor to the General Directorate Health.

This group helped define the health strategy, create the right tools and channels to disseminate the information available at the time on SARS-CoV-2.

The Minister of Health acknowledges that the government relied heavily on the local scientific system since the beginning of the health emergency, which was critical when facing COVID-19. As a result, molecular diagnostic tests began to be developed to reduce dependence on reactive tests arriving from abroad at a high cost.

Subsequently, after a month of the first case, on April 16, the Presidency created the Honorary Scientific Advisory Group (GACH), composed of Rafael Radi, Fernando Paganini and Henry Cohen and a group of more than 50 experts. The presidency assured that it was created to provide quality scientific advice and comparing international experience to assist in government decision-making.

Within the GACH, there are two areas for the management of the health emergency: Health Planning Area, Assistance and Prevention and Area of Models and Data Science.As for the Model and Data Science Area, coordinated by Dr. Paganini, there are four additional groups, the first one is Data for Surveillance, whose members work in conjunction with epidemiologists of the Ministry of Health, and follow up on confirmed cases through computer systems. Models and projections, this group is responsible for the mathematical modeling of the epidemic, trend indicators and short-term projections, in addition they measure the imparting on the health structure, such as hospital capacity. Sampling and statistical analysis, in which uno observed phenomena such as those unreported cases, asymptomatic cases, the level of contact between the population are investigated and the implementation of new tests (PCR or serological) and surveys.

Mobility and Apps is the fourth group, in which the mobility of the population is recorded and monitored through applications on smartphones. Thanks to this group the Coronavirus UY application was created, available on GooglePlay, AppStore and AppGallery, this application uses technology of Contact tracing tools from Google and Apple, activating exposure alerts the application will be able to warn the user if it was exposed to a possible contagion. Uruguay was one of 22 countries that approved the use of this technology for the development of applications against coronavirus.

In addition, as part of the National Coronavirus Planthe government enabled a telephone number and several digital channels to make available to the population official information such as recommendations, tools to schedule diagnostics and medical advice, consult statistics and data on daily updates on COVID-19, among other types of necessary information.

A Chatbot is available on the Ministry of Health's website, chatbotwhich answers basic questions about coronavirus immediately. In addition to this Chatbot, chatbota communication channel was also enabled on Facebook Messenger, via @MPSUruguay.

In addition, through the number 098 99 99 99 on WhatsApp it is possible to schedule consultations on COVID-19.

Thanks to all these strategies, Uruguay has one of the lowest fatality rates in Latin America and has fewer than 50 deaths until the first week of July. However, an important part of Uruguay's effective strategy was consensus among the political class, as the various political parties supported the government's actions in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, the economic plan also reached consensus, and thus the Coronavirus Fund was created, which was financed by the 20% reduction in public servants' salaries - including the president - earning more than $1,800 a month.

Another key factor was its universal health system, almost unique in Latin America, as all Uruguayans have access to health. In addition, its primary care system and local family doctors were important for immediate medical care to prevent complications and deaths.