Jakarta X Harvard CLM Team: A COVID-19 Self-Checker Development Collaboration
The Rapid Testing procedure is one of the first steps undertaken by the Government of Jakarta in reducing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, throughout its implementation, several challenges have arisen, including determining who has the priority to take the test.
So, to optimize the use of a limited number of test kits, the Provincial Government is collaborating with Harvard CLM Team. From this collaboration, the latest innovation called COVID-19 Likelihood Meter (CLM) - an independent check application that is supported by machine learning-based technology.
How Harvard CLM Team Contributes to Pandemic Mitigation
As the name implies, Harvard CLM Team consist of Indonesian students from Harvard University, United States. Now, they return, voluntarily participate and contribute in the effort to mitigate the coronavirus in Indonesia, especially Jakarta.
"Each of us feels burdened and wants to help our own country to deal with this pandemic. We also realize we have more opportunities - that we can study at Harvard, so we also want to use what we learn to help our own country, "said Jessica Wijaya, who is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Data Science program.
"I feel, from what I've learned in Data Science, to make predictions from machine learning, that it's really important and the impact is quite big in tackling this pandemic in this country," she added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nanda Lucky Prasetya is a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) from Harvard Medical School in 2019. Late last March, he led the Indonesians at Harvard team in a meeting with the Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, to pitch the concept of Data Science in determining Rapid Test priority.
Dr. Nanda, who also has a high interest in mathematics, appreciates the open attitude and commitment of the provincial government in handling pandemics with a scientific approach.
"Initiatives that are more directed towards epidemiology and something innovative is really welcomed by the Government of Jakarta. So I can appreciate their efforts in overcoming COVID-19, and have a good trust in the Provincial Government," he said about the meeting.
(Picture: Indonesians at Harvard)
Why does Jakarta Need CLM?
During this coronavirus outbreak, there must be some of you who have tried telemedicine and their self-assessment services to find out if your symptoms are similar to COVID-19. But did you know that this service is not efficient enough in filtering who is eligible to take the rapid test?
Therefore, through collaboration with Jakarta Smart City, Health Department of Jakarta, and Klakklik.id, Harvard CLM Team then developed CLM with several advantages in it.
"First, compared to other telemedicine platforms in general, the calculation of whether or not people need to take a test through CLM has a scientific basis. Some telemedicine only does calculations with a less strong basis. For example, if symptom A is given a score of 4, symptom B is given a score of 2, then if passing a score of 10 means it must be tested. CLM is not like that, the machine learning model is made from previous real data owned by the Health Office of Jakarta so that the accuracy of calculation will be more scientific and precise," explained Dr. Nanda.
"So this CLM has a database or like a scientific backup to calculate whether this patient is positive or negative. Second, we can predict how many people are positive from the data we send.
"Third, this is a comprehensive self-checker. So this doesn't just categorize people as OTG, ODP, PDP, or just give people advice. But it also gives them a score and details about facilities where they can take rapid tests because we are working with the Health Department.
"Fourth, CLM is dynamic. The more data, the more precise and accurate it will be. I believe the people of Jakarta with their good social values will answer the questions honestly so that CLM can continue to be developed when new data comes in. And also so that the CLM model can become a true form of from and for the community."
Honesty is Key in Recovery
In the near future, you can use the CLM-based Kalkulator COVID-19 application through JAKI. Dr Nanda said that one of the keys to the success of this program will depend on the honesty of the user when answering questions. Because in addition to improving the efficiency of the rapid test implementation, he believes the accuracy of the data from the CLM will also help the Health Office of Jakarta in conducting better contact tracing.
This was echoed by Jessica. She believes if every user can use the application wisely, then it will indirectly help the recovery process in the capital.
"For those who will use CLM, I hope everyone will give honest answers. Do not deliberately exacerbate symptoms just to increase the chances of getting a test. Because by helping other communities around us, it will actually benefit ourselves," she concluded.
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Aditya Gagat Hanggara