Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global health systems and caused unprecedented social and economic challenges. Nigeria, like many other countries, has been adversely affected by this pandemic. The government has implemented various measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, including lockdowns, testing, and contact tracing. However, these measures have been mostly concentrated in urban areas, while rural areas have been neglected. In response to this gap, a group of IEEE volunteers from Enugu State University of Science and Technology led by Godwin Ozor developed a tracking and reporting platform for rural areas utilizing Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD).

Objectives

The main objective of the project was to develop a platform that would enable rural communities to track and report COVID-19 cases using USSD. The platform was designed to be accessible to people who do not have access to smartphones or the internet. The project aimed to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. Develop a USSD-based platform for tracking and reporting COVID-19 cases in rural areas.
2. Interface the USSD code with a website to enable real-time data collection and analysis.
3. Train rural people on how to use the USSD platform to report COVID-19 cases.
4. Train health professionals on how to use the backend or dashboard to manage reported cases.

Methodology

The project team adopted a participatory approach, working closely with rural communities and health professionals in Enugu State. The following steps were taken to develop and implement the project:

Step 1: Needs Assessment

The project team conducted a needs assessment in nine rural communities in Enugu State to determine their information and communication technology (ICT) needs and assess their knowledge of COVID-19. The assessment revealed that many people in rural areas did not have access to smartphones or the internet, and therefore could not access the government’s online COVID-19 reporting platforms.

Step 2: Platform Development

Based on the findings from the needs assessment, the project team developed a USSD-based platform that would enable rural people to report COVID-19 cases using their basic mobile phones. The code *347*511# was configured and interfaced with the website https://www.ruralsavelife.com/ to enable real-time data collection and analysis. The website was hosted on a secure server to ensure the confidentiality of the reported data.

Step 3: Training

The project team trained over 585 people, including 5 health professionals, on the developed USSD project. The training covered the following areas:

1. COVID-19 symptoms and prevention measures
2. How to report COVID-19 cases using the USSD code
3. How to access and use the backend or dashboard to manage reported cases

Step 4: Implementation

The project was implemented in nine rural communities in Enugu State. The rural people were educated on the COVID-19 symptoms and how to report them using the USSD code. The health professionals were given access to the backend or dashboard to manage reported cases.

Results

• The project was successful in achieving its objectives. The following results were achieved:
• The USSD platform was developed and interfaced with the website https://www.ruralsavelife.com/.
• Over 585 people, including 5 health professionals, were trained on the developed USSD project.
• The platform was used by rural people to report COVID-19 cases, which were managed by health professionals through the backend or dashboard.
• The platform enabled real-time data collection and analysis, which facilitated effective decision-making by the Enugu State Ministry of Health.

The project has the potential to be replicated in other rural areas in Nigeria and other developing countries facing similar challenges in tracking and reporting COVID-19 cases. The use of USSD technology is particularly relevant in countries where access to smartphones and the internet is limited. The platform can also be adapted to track and report other diseases or health emergencies.

Conclusion

The development of a USSD-based platform for tracking and reporting COVID-19 cases in rural areas was a significant contribution to the fight against the pandemic in Enugu State. The project demonstrated the importance of using appropriate technology to address the information and communication gaps in rural areas. The project also showed that community participation and involvement are essential in the development and implementation of such projects. The project team worked closely with rural communities and health professionals to ensure that the platform met their needs and was easy to use. The project has the potential to be replicated in other rural areas, and its success should encourage other stakeholders to embrace similar initiatives.