Role of Pro-Active Governments
in the assessment of community
preparedness to overcome
Covid-19 through digital risk
alignment and app-based risk
mitigation process

ABSTRACT

Currently, much research has been conducted about how the governments made e-transformation in the
health sector. But how the government is carrying out the effective monitoring and assessment of e-health
apps is yet to be explored. Therefore, the study investigated the pro-active Saudi government’s role in assessing
community preparedness to overcome the virus through digital risk alignment and app-based risk mitigation
process. The study adopted a quantitative approach and is empirical in nature. The researcher approach
two different sectors of Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Communications and
Information Technology (MCIT). The study sample consisted of 93 participants employed at MOH and
MCIT. The data was collected through a survey questionnaire which consisted of 21 close-ended items being
on a 5-point-Likert scale. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The result of the study indicated
that the government of Saudi Arabia was prepared for the emergency caused by COVID-19 and that they
were able to successfully deploy ICT at healthcare system by launching various telemedicine apps which
provided e-health services to the community people. Moreover, the government was able to effectively
measure the performance of these apps which showed them how much the community was prepared against this emergency. The study concluded that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 framework, set the way for digital transformation. COVID-19 made it possible to promote and test this change. Artificial intelligence’s application in integrating various data sources during future outbreaks in Saudi Arabia should be investigated
further.