Online apps for identifying and tracking covid positive patients have been the most effective tool to protect people during the pandemic. Tech hubs of the Middle East like UAE and Saudi Arabia, were able to use strong communication infrastructures to their advantage, by developing digital health records which backed their respective platforms.

After successive waves of infections in the region, schools are once again gearing up to welcome students back to classrooms in the new normal. To ensure their safety after months of e-learning, admins in schools will be able to access medical records of the children, for regular updates about their well being.

Principals will also be able to track the condition of teachers as well as other employees of their institution thanks to the enhanced Tawakkalna app. The platform which was on the frontlines during the kingdom's battle against covid, was recently updated with features including an option to integrate travel insurance data into the system.

Apart from watching out for the safety of students at school, authorities have also approved vaccination to fortify the health of children aged 12 years and above in Saudi Arabia.

Elsewhere in the gulf region, the Emirates has also given a nod to inoculation of children between the age of 12 and 15. As for schools, public institutions in Abu Dhabi have introduced AI into their surveillance systems to strengthen security of children.

The smart school admin will also monitor attendance of students, teachers and the staff in the Emirati capital, while it scans the behaviour of kids to protect them from bullying.

Tawakkalna app, which facilitated verification of covid test results for traveling, also doubles up as a digital health passport, which helps Saudi citizens prove their immunity.

Among other updates, smart cards created to provide access for pilgrims during Hajj, can now be linked to accounts in other countries for enabling e-payments.