The healthcare system across the globe has been under colossal pressure since the emergence of novel coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has also unveiled some of the greatest gaps in the existing healthcare systems. The research paper authored by Dr Ashok Kumar Pradhan and his PhD student E Bhaskara Santhosh, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, proposing a blockchain-based pandemic detection model was recognised by WHO and the paper was listed in COVID-19 Global literature on coronavirus disease. The paper titled “iBlock: An Intelligent Decentralised Blockchain-based Pandemic Detection and Assisting System” was published in collaboration with Saraju Mohanty, University of North Texas and Dr Venkata Ramana Badarla, Associate Professor, IIT Tirupati. The authors have expressed their deepest gratitude to Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for Grant number TAR/2019/000286 and SRM University-AP for supporting this work.
Abstract of the Research
The recent COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the requirement for a more sophisticated healthcare system and real-time data analytics in the pandemic mitigation process. Moreover, real-time data plays a crucial role in detection and alerting process. Combining smart healthcare systems with accurate real-time information about medical service availability, vaccination, and how the pandemic is spreading can directly affect the quality of life and economy. The existing architecture models become inadequate in handling the pandemic mitigation process in a real-time dataset. This is because, the present models are server-centric and controlled by a single party, hence to manage confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of dataset is a challenging task. Therefore, a decentralised user-centric model is essential, where the CIA of user data can be assured. In this paper, we have suggested a decentralized blockchain-based pandemic detection and assistance system named as (iBlock) that uses robust technologies like hybrid computing and IPFS to support system functionality. Moreover, a pseudo-anonymous personal identity is suggested using H-PCS and cryptography for anonymous data sharing. The distributed data management module guarantees data CIA, security, and privacy using cryptography mechanisms. Furthermore, it delivers useful intelligent information in the form of suggestions and alerts to assist the users. Finally, the iBlock reduces stress on healthcare infrastructure and workers by providing accurate predictions and early warnings using AI/ML technology.
Contributions of the Research
i) Proposes a novel architecture model for pandemic detection and alertness using a blockchain called as “iBlock”. It supports sharing of real-time data utilization.
ii) The proposed system introduces suitable privacy and security mechanisms to cover system-level data privacy and security.
iii) It also suggests a logical combination of blockchain and AI/ML on hybrid computing to support global level requirements during pandemic mitigation and alerting the systems.
Social Implications
The proposed system helps in the early detection of Covid-19 and encourages people to use their health data anonymously in pandemic detection and mitigation process. Moreover, iBlock maintains all crucial data on blockchain for future sustainable healthcare solutions. The majority of pandemic detection and alerting systems are limited to prediction, however iBlock further simplifies the area-labelling to cover area wise mitigation mechanisms. The classification of areas helps the government and healthcare organizations to plan sustainable preventive measures in a real-time scenario. It also helps in prediction of new cases and death rates with the aid of a dedicated AI/ML detection engine module. To motivate the people to share legitimate data, the proposed model even suggests a reward mechanism to influence the participants.
The research investigates the advanced possibilities in smart healthcare architecture to bring down the time and effort for pandemic mitigation activities. Read to know more.