Selangor Journal: Selangkah set for super app transformation, to include centralised medical records

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SHAH ALAM, Nov 7 — The Selangor government is charting plans to evolve its Selangkah mobile application into a comprehensive super app, extending its capabilities beyond health services.

The app, which has established itself as a primary health platform in Selangor alongside the nationally mandated MySejahtera during the Covid-19 pandemic, currently facilitates access to a variety of health-related initiatives.

State executive councillor for public health and environment Jamaliah Jamaluddin said if the proposal for transformation is implemented, Selangkah would integrate a broader array of government services and functions.

She said the app’s proposed expansion is now under deliberation, considering the substantial financial investment required from the state for the plan.

“We are digitalising healthcare in Selangor but we have to consider whether the app is efficient enough to be used and we have to look at how much funding is needed for this,” she said in an interview with Selangor Journal at the State Secretariat Building, here, yesterday.

“Developing an app is going to be more costly than developing a website. We also have to consider the different layers (of development), and of course, we must ensure enough privacy protection so data is not leaked out and that the system doesn’t fall victim to cyberattacks.

“It will take some time, but that’s the vision we are looking forward to.”

Jamaliah revealed that one of the immediate functions the state administration wishes to add to Selangkah is centralising users’ medical records within the app, providing a single access point for both patients and healthcare providers.

This consolidation of medical data is intended to facilitate seamless treatment from different medical practitioners by ensuring that comprehensive medical history is readily available.

“We are developing an idea to keep information and health data more accessible, making it easier for patients to review their records and for doctors to see what treatment they have received.

“Digitalising medical reports could help in shortening the time patients spend liaising with the doctors and the clinic. Doctors come and go, but this feature will make sure your medical record is accessible and easily traced,” she said.

Selangkah still relevant

Jamaliah said Selangkah remains relevant today as Selangor residents still utilise the app to book their health screenings via the Selcare platform.

She revealed that even non–Selangorians are now using the app to take advantage of the state’s subsidised mental health initiative.

“One of the most popular uses for the app is the subsidised mental health treatment, which allows the public to evaluate their mental health and secure free sessions with psychiatrists or psychologists if they exhibit severe symptoms.

“Later, we realised it wasn’t only Selangor residents who are using Selangkah but people from other states as well. This is because we are the only one that has such a programme,” she said.

Selangkah was developed by Selangkah Ventures Sdn Bhd (SVSB) and launched as a web app in May 2020.

The platform was initially a QR-based check-in system for Covid-19 contact tracing for Selangor residents, logging about 35 million entries. Later, it integrated with Maybank and Mid Valley’s QR code systems.

SVSB was later tasked by the state government to expand the platform into a comprehensive Covid-19 response tool, including features for contact tracing, quarantine monitoring, vaccination, aid distribution, psychosocial support, and appointments.

The platform transformed into a native mobile app in February 2021, adding various functions and services like the Selangor Vaccination Programme (Selvax), Selangor Mental Sehat, Selangkah Biz, Selcare Store, Selangkah Wallet, home assessment tool, and Covid-19 risk map.