Blockchain technology and its applications to combat COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background and aims: The world is currently facing multifaceted problems due to the emergence of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Blockchain technology (BT) plays a vital role in creating a platform for adequately managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The latest information on the blockchain and its application in solving challenging problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic are collected and discussed from the available literature searched through PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar. Results: In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based platform to combat this pandemic. Furthermore, we have identified and discussed nine significant applications of blockchain in solving the problem arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The severity of COVID-19 was so tremendous that the World Health Organization (WHO) had to declare it as a pandemic within a month of its full-scale expansion. The greatest challenge most governments are suffering from is the lack of a precise mechanism to detect the newly infected cases and predict coronavirus infection risk. So, we need a technology-empowered solution to fight during this COVID-19 crisis. The various features of blockchain technology, such as decentralization, transparency, and immutability, can help control this pandemic by early detection of outbreaks, fast-tracking drug delivery, and protecting user privacy during treatment. © 2020, Sociedade Brasileira de Engenharia Biomedica.