UNAIR NEWS- Confirmed cases of Covid-19 are lately on the rise, but the number of tracing in Indonesia is still low. Responding to this issue, Cendra Devayana Putra, an alumnus of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) and Daffa Yagrariksa Ramadhan, a Class of 2019 student, Information System FST UNAIR, created a simple and automated tracing app using a distributed system (Android).
“Buru Covid” app is one of Cendra and Daffa’s contributions to advancing the Indonesian Health sector, particularly Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RSUA). This tracing app is real-time and integrated, so the response time for detecting Covid-19 is expected to be faster. Previously, they had also succeeded in making two apps that now have been used by RSUA, “Laduni Sigiat” and “Si-Perdana”.
Interviewed by the UNAIR NEWS team on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, Cendra as the initiator of “Buru Covid” app explained that the app was inspired by the tracing system in Taiwan, where he took his master’s studies. However, he and Daffa made this app more advanced without using a single piece of paper (hard copy, ed).
“The method we have implemented in the form of digitization has proven successful in handling Covid-19 cases in Taiwan. Our app is also environmentally friendly, 100% paperless,” said Cendra.
“Buru Covid” is not only distributed in hospitals. However, it is planned to be available in public places, such as shopping centers and other crowded places. It can speed up tracing time, added Cendra.
He also explained about the method that he and his colleague use on “Buru Covid”app. In the early version, people were asked to log in. With one click on a store, countless individuals have been recorded visiting that store. It will support extensive tracing.
“For the second version, I want to try to invite my professor in the (Taiwan) lab. I want to try and add blockchain, so the system will be more secure,” said Cendra.
He admitted that the “Buru Covid” app still had problems with server rental fees. Currently, they are still borrowing a server that is 1 gigabyte in size. The server is considered lacking in running the tracing app.
Cendra added that “Buru Covid” requires a positive response from the government so that it can be implemented properly. In this case, “Buru Covid” team requires a database and government policies to implement the app in the community. Moreover, “Buru Covid” is also waiting for verification from Google Playstore.
“Because we used the word ‘Covid,’ we need confirmation from the government first to activate the app on the Playstore,” said Cendra.
Daffa also added that they need supports from the government and UNAIR because the data does not only come from “Buru Covid” app. This app will run optimally if there is supporting data.
“We hope that the government and UNAIR can help make this app running and make tracing easy in Indonesia,” concluded Daffa. (*)
Author: Alysa Intan Santika
Editor: Nuri Hermawan (AC/AP)
