The Record - Issue 19: Winter 2020

121 “One of the key use cases of Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare is the enablement of a digitised patient journey by enabling virtual care naviga- tion. Every person who interacts with the patient would know exactly where the patient is on their journey and would be empowered to help them advance to the next stage. Enabling improved patient workflows will have direct relevance to all segments of the healthcare market.” The platform is one of a number of solutions born out of the Covid-19 pandemic. At a time when service providers of every kind are being asked to reimagine their operating landscapes in response to the global pandemic, Microsoft technology has been a key enabler for greater levels of innovation. During the pandemic, Microsoft has rapidly deployed new solutions with its partners in the government, public health and healthcare sec- tors to address urgent needs. Microsoft developed AI-based chatbot tech- nology to provide personalised recommen- dations for users concerned about Covid-19 infection. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched a Covid-19 assess- ment bot powered by Microsoft’s Azure-based Health Bot service. It provided individuals with medical information about the virus and how to self-care to prevent health systems from being overwhelmed. Microsoft also refocused its efforts in AI and performance computing to accelerate research efforts surrounding the virus, and entered data platform collaborations to facilitate sharing of data and allocation of critical resources includ- ing personal protective equipment, intensive care unit beds and ventilators. In addition, Microsoft has helped develop solutions with its partners in both public health agencies and gov- ernments to aid in preventing further spread of “Microsoft is leaning in to provide the technology infrastructure to enable a fair, equitable and efficient distribution of a vaccine globally” PUB L I C S E C TOR