Ministry of Health has launched a new app, Āwhina that pulls together the most up to date information on COVID-19 for healthcare workers.

The app has been developed by Christchurch-based company Webtools.  Āwhina is a new app, from the Christchurch-based company, that has also brought Traceable, a contact tracing solution focused on ensuring businesses are compliant to the market. 

The app, which was publicly launched on May 27th, brings together the most up to date information that healthcare workers need to rely on. Āwhina was number one downloaded app on the app store in the medical category in its first week of launching.   

Health workers across New Zealand need access to accurate information in the fight against COVID-19, including case definitions, clinical care pathways and the latest on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). The Ministry of Health recognised that information was being frequently updated and health workers were struggling to find the latest accurate information easily.  

Āwhina gives them access to this information from their mobile device anywhere, anytime and notifies them when new or updated content is available to them.  Users can also adjust their preferences to subscribe to different channels, and search content to get to relevant information quickly. 

“The team has thoroughly enjoyed working with the innovative teams at Canterbury District Health Board to initially incubate the idea and then with the Ministry of Health New Zealand to deploy this on a national scale”  

Says Harry Hawke, CEO of Webtools Health. 

The app is primarily aimed at those working across the health sector but is free for anyone to download. 

Shayne Hunter, The Deputy Director-General Data and Digital at the Ministry of Health says:  

“Digital technology can help ensure a coordinated, national approach and help us achieve better outcomes for everyone. At the moment Āwhina will be used to support the COVID-19 response but it can be used to get information to health workers to support any public health response.”  

Āwhina is free to download from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. For more information visit Āwhina app.