A Proposed Framework for Developing User-Centred Mobile Healthcare Applications for the Biggest Annual Mass Gathering (Hajj) Post COVID-19

Abstract

The Hajj pilgrimage being the largest annual mass gathering globally with two to three million participants from over 180 counties, will remain a high priority for diseases surveillance for future epidemics or any other international public health emergencies with rapid scalability. This paper highlights the importance of monitoring mass gatherings during a pandemic and how mHealth applications can reduce the burden on health facilities during a mass gathering and tackle future infectious diseases outbreaks. The paper also highlights the importance of developing a user-centred application when designing for a diverse group of users with a shared purpose. As a result, a framework has been proposed to update the current applications or design and develop future mobile health applications. The framework has been developed based on the rationale and evidence found in the literature. © Islam et al. Published by BCS Learning and Development Ltd.