Digital Health Start-up Akkure launches ‘COVIDMedBot’

Dublin based digital health start-up Akkure has launched the ‘COVIDMedBot’, an online personalised risk assessment and guideline tool for use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Free to use, the COVID MedBot provides personalised risk assessment and guidelines, in line with the HSE recommendations and leveraging advice from the WHO and CDC, regarding the COVID-19 virus. The tool is available online at https://www.akkure4covid.com and the assessment can be completed in 90 seconds.

The public can turn to the COVIDMedBot for the latest individualised advice on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, enabling quick risk assessment in an uncertain environment. The COVIDMedBot is dynamically updated based on an individual’s specific responses. The risk assessment can be repeated as many times as a user wants, facilitating sequential consults, which is critical in the rapidly evolving clinical situation.

Akkure is based at NovaUCD, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs at University College Dublin.

Founder of Akkure, Prof. Oran Rigby MD said, “Our COVIDMedBot offers an efficient and reliable service benefiting the public, corporate sector, and Irish governing bodies during this high strain period for the health service. The COVIDMedBot’s data is based on the latest scientifically validated information from the HSE, the CDC and the WHO, along with doctors and medical experts at St. Vincent’s University Hospital. We are confident the service will put users in a better position to handle the current situation whilst alleviating the HSE of a significant amount of pressure.”

Employers and employees who are anxious about the potential impact of the virus on their health can also use the COVIDMedBot to find out more about what help is available and the recommended next steps.

Prof Oran Rigby MD added: “As we know, the Irish Health system is currently under immense pressure. Understandably, this is a cause for worry and confusion. Rather than overwhelming GP practices in this time of crisis, the COVID MedBot can act as the first port of call by allowing patients to gauge their personal risk, and crucially, what actions they can take based on their individualised risk assessment.”

In addition to the COVIDMedBot, Akkure is releasing specialized MedBots which will be available to leading hospitals and medical practices. The MedBots will be tailored to their individual needs to assist with triaging patients and relieve the immense pressure on their organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.