Save lives through digital contact tracing?

As governments around the world attempted to reopen safely throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, contact tracing became an increasingly important way to track exposure, control spread, prevent new outbreaks, and save lives.

Real-world challenges

The scale of contact tracing necessary to make a significant dent in disease spread requires large, coordinated efforts – and time is a critical factor. Also, digital contact tracing only works if a critical mass of users downloads – and actively engages with – the app.

Real-world solutions

DA Digital partnered with Jordan’s Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office and Jotech, a youth tech volunteer organisation, to develop and deploy the app in just three weeks. United by a common mission to save lives, the team was able to launch in record time by:

• Learning quickly. Trying new things, collecting feedback, and learning and adapting quickly.  
• Engaging leaders early and often. The Minister of Health and the Minister of Digital Economy strongly supported the development of the app throughout the process. They were champions of the project.
• Working alongside communities of end-users. The team worked with a grassroots tech organisation and partnered with the Ministry  of Health’s communications function to spread awareness and trust for the app – both critical in ensuring people actively used the app.

Results

The app, called Aman, or "safety," has reached over two million downloads – and was ranked the #1 app in Jordan. User retention for the app remains high at over 80%. The app has identified and traced 35% of all exposures in the country, contributing significantly to the control of disease spread – and helping to save lives.

The Aman app has reached over two million downloads, with 80% user retention.