Gojek, Halodoc, Grab & Good Doctor Broaden Coronavirus Rapid Test

Health startups, Halodoc and Good Doctor, as well as Gojek and Grab provide a rapid test of the risk of coronavirus infection and a swab test with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

This service has also been expanded to several regions. Grab through, GrabHealth which is supported by Good Doctor expands the scope of rapid tests and PCR tests to eight cities namely Bekasi, Bogor, Tangerang, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Medan, and Makassar.

Managing Director of Good Doctor Technology Indonesia Danu Wicaksana said that citizen participation in taking the test needed to be improved. This is because the number of positive cases of the coronavirus has tripled since the beginning of this month.

The company has served a risk test for contracting Covid-19 in Jakarta. However, Grab and Good Doctor are aware that provinces outside Jakarta contribute almost 40% of the number of positive cases.

Because of this, both of them expanded the test services outside of Jakarta. “We are targeting an increase in capacity to expand the rapid program and free PCR test to eight additional cities,” Danu said in a press release yesterday (22/4).

The expansion of tests to eight cities will begin simultaneously on 27 April. Registration has been opened today (23/4). Medical personnel and driver-partners who wish to register can access through the Grab application and select GrabHealth.

The user first consults with a Good Doctor’s doctor-partners and goes through a screening process. Free tests are only given to medical personnel and driver-partners who are at moderate or high risk.

The Staffs Are Equipped with Complete PPE

In addition to expanding coverage, the two companies increased the quota of test-takers. In the middle of this month, both of them have provided test services to 1,000 medical personnel and driver-partners. Until mid-May, Grab targets to be able to serve up to 5,000 participants.

Danu ensures that all stages of the test are carried out with a complete health protocol and following government directives to continue to maintain physical distance (physical distancing). All staff involved in the rapid test and PCR test will be equipped with personal protective equipment.

Since last February, the company has recorded a fourfold increase in services. Services needed by users ranging from debriefing with doctors online, education to screening for risk of contracting coronavirus via teleconsultation.

Grab Indonesia’s Managing Director Neneng Goenadi added, safety and health were the company’s top priorities. Since the implementation of the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) last Friday (10/4), Grab’s driver-partners are still operating to support the mobility of the population of DKI Jakarta and its surroundings.

“We are committed to always protecting the well-being and health of the driver’s partners,” Neneng said.

Gojek and Halodoc Had Already Done Rapid Tests in Mid-April

Besides the two companies, Halodoc and Gojek expanded the scope of rapid tests and PCR tests. Both of them provide drive-thru free quick test services for residents who live in Jakarta from 10-17 April. The test is conducted only for middle and high-risk residents contracting Covid-19.

Halodoc also collaborated with the Allianz Care Foundation to provide free rapid test services. This service is intended for Jakarta residents who live in the red zone area, especially in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, and Cilandak, South Jakarta from 20-25 April 2020.

The public can also order health care packages and Covid-19 tests through the Halodoc application starting April 20. This startup works together with more than 20 hospitals in Greater Jakarta to Karawang such as Mitra Keluarga Hospital, St. Hospital Carolus, Mayapada Hospital, Primaya Hospital, and Bina Husada Cibinong Hospital.

“If a reactive (positive) result is found, both from a rapid test and a PCR, the doctor will evaluate the patient’s symptom level to determine the next steps for treatment, whether it needs to be referred to a special hospital or can be treated at home,” Jonathan said.