WHO working with IBM and Oracle for Coronavirus data collection

Big names including IBM, Oracle and the World Health Organization (WHO) are among the collaborators of the creation of a data hub open to anyone who wants to contribute, which will use blockchain technology to verify the veracity of the new pandemic data coronavirus.

The MiPasa project unites large companies to fight the new coronavirus

The solution, dubbed MiPasa, is being launched as a "COVID-19 information highway," said Jonathan Levi, CEO of Hacera, the company that built the platform.

MiPasa, based on Hyperledger Fabric, is expected to evolve with the addition of a set of data analysis tools, followed by test results and other information for investors, to facilitate the precise detection of COVID-19 infection hotspots.

"We believe there is not enough information out there to make informed decisions," said Levi. "How can we help all people who want to access data, analyze it and provide insights?".

Corporate blockchain consortia of the type normally used by IBM may take months to assemble, but in this case, Big Blue has enlisted an army of professional experts in no time. Other actors involved in the project are: Microsoft, Johns Hopkins University, China Health Commission of China and many others.

Anyone can contribute

Gari Singh, CTO of IBM's Blockchain, said that all the people he talked to about the current global situation agreed that it was important to "start a consortium" as soon as possible.

"We started brainstorming on how to collect, provide and use verified information about the virus," said Singh. "It's not that we were trying to force blockchain into this solution, but we thought about how to replicate the data, we need reliable sources, and we have to make sure it can't be tampered with."

IBM is also bringing the Call for Code initiative to work on the platform to quickly create tools that may be able to help contain the crisis. Levi di Hacera said that the analysis tools can provide powerful insights, provided that they are all safe and that the data entered on the platform (which is completely open and free to be used by anyone) is correct and constantly updated.

Anyone could also contribute "a simple set of applications for drive-through testing," said Singh. "Using an iPad you could enter some information without needing to know who they specifically refer to." Levi said a myriad of companies are already offering their smart data to help contain the virus. “Many suppliers of data collection tools are involved. Everyone hurries to help and nobody charges a penny, "said Levi.