A SECURE DIGITAL HEALTH PASSPORT- AN IMPORTANT MEASURE GOVERNMENTS CAN IMPLEMENT FOR THE SAFE REOPENING OF BORDERS WITHOUT FEAR OF CREATING NEW OUTBREAKS
Health has always been one of the most important factors to consider while traveling. The health history of travelers is one most country consider before visa approval. Vaccination for diseases such as small pox and yellow fever amongst others. These measures were put in place to mitigate the transmission of such easily spread diseases.
The Arrival of the Covid-19 in the late stages of the 2019 drastically changed health concerns for travelers all over the world. The pandemic marked the beginning of stricter adherence to health-related travel policies all over the world. With all countries creating and enforcing measures they feel would best protect the interests and health of their population from the pandemic.
Countries went ahead to set up and also approve numerous existing labs as testing centers for travelers either looking to enter or leave the country. This unplanned development highlighted the need for a type of universally accepted health passport which, will allow for every traveler to have their detailed health history available on that medium. This in turn, will allow them entry as long as the health-related conditions of the country are met after careful study and adherence by the travelers. Health history is also very important for travelers in the event of an emergency. Providing the health workers with details on how to treat, existing conditions and all other relevant information they might need to deliver adequate health care.
The Nigerian Government amongst many others has adopted an online form of documentation and scheduling for testing of travelers who wish to enter the country. This platform adequately documents all travelers and provides them with a list of approved testing centers within the states they wish to travel to. after which a payment is made to fully reserve a slot for the test upon arrival.
Laboratories upon successful testing of passengers send results via emails. While, other administrations established secure channels through which these labs send medical information to border agencies, airlines and other relevant agencies. The introduction of these systems and the amount of sensitive medical information will require the creation of an encrypted storage system. This will guarantee the safety of passenger’s information and boost confidence in this newly adopted system.
The introduction of a secure digital passport as seen above has numerous advantages and will prove very useful in today’s technology driven world. Its adoption will greatly reduce the number of fatalities of tourists due to lack of sufficient medical history while increasing the convenience to travel amongst all prospective travelers. Its purpose is highly streamlined and the objectives for its adoption are clear. Lastly, I strongly believe it will play a great role in the management of international health amongst countries and will be a key player in the implementation of policies that allow for the safe reopening of borders and the easing if restrictions in these trying times.