Dr. Mahesh Appannan is a medical doctor by profession with a master’s degree in Public Health and a special interest in communicable and non-communicable disease modeling. He is currently the Senior Principal Assistant Director in the Disease Control Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
The latest task was to lead the digital health team for COVID-19 Pandemic Management in Malaysia. During this challenging times, the team developed a COVID19 outbreak management system, a community empowerment mobile application called MySejahtera, strategic partnerships with governmental and non-governmental agencies for big data analytics. This team has contributed immensely to the success of Malaysia in containing the outbreak.
Passion in preventive medicine drove him to venture into a healthcare revolution where Artificial Intelligence & Internet of Things was utilized to modernize healthcare. He has been awarded with multiple accolades for his contribution to the community and country by various governmental and non-governmental organizations. Dr. Mahesh strongly believes that information technology, big data and professional healthcare are paramount in ensuring a healthy disease free community focusing on preventive medicine.
DSxConference 2020 Session
INVITED PLENARY
Big data and COVID19 in Malaysia.. A game changer
Tuesday, December 1 | 1555 – 1625
Virtual Room 1
Title: BIG DATA AND COVID-19 IN MALAYSIA – A GAME CHANGER
Abstract:
The year 2020 has been a rather challenging year for Malaysia. The unprecedented pandemic has indeed brought many opportunities in terms of digital transformation, capacity and capability building in Ministry of Health Malaysia. Four key areas were looked upon and strengthened i.e. data, strategy, collaboration and communication. Big data analytics played its role in the management of the pandemic. However, as big as it seems, many challenges were faced and MOH was able to cope by staying focus to the end goal. Contact tracing is an integral component in the management of this pandemic. Using digital method for contact tracing in Malaysia has very much assisted the contact tracing process in the masses. MOH Malaysia has benefitted greatly with the use of big data and digital methods in combating this pandemic.