Interview with Dr.Yasmin, Executive Board Member at AidNexus
Welcome to this week’s edition of Founder Spotlight with Dr. Yasmin, an Executive Board Member at AidNexus who works on humanitarian aid LOB under Market Nexus. AidNexus is a humanitarian impact initiative created by Market Nexus Inc., a US-based company specializing in Web 3.0 B2B and G2B2G platforms. The initiative is deeply committed to alleviating refugees’ challenges and is steadfast in its aim to address them through technological solutions and expert knowledge.
Dr. Yasmin’s remarkable journey and contributions to AidNexus exemplify the strength of human resilience and innovation. Continue reading to discover more about her impactful work!
What inspired you to create AidNexus within Market Nexus?
Thank you for having me. Seeing the staggering and escalating refugee crisis globally was a major catalyst. Having a medical background with a deep-rooted commitment to humanitarian causes, I’ve also witnessed firsthand the challenges refugees face.
Also, in my role as the medical board advisor for Market Nexus Inc. (to advise on their medical programs for governments – under their GovNexus offering) , I discovered the depth of Market Nexus’ in house expertise in technology, particularly blockchain and AI, which presented a unique opportunity to develop a solution that could truly make a difference. It was a natural fit.
Can you explain how the digital blockchain passport works for refugees?
Certainly. Our blockchain passport is essentially a secure digital vault for a refugee’s vital information. It’s like a comprehensive, tamper-proof repository that follows them throughout their journey.
The beauty of it is that refugees have control over their data through zero-knowledge proof technology. This means they decide what information to share and with whom.
It’s about empowering them while ensuring their data is safe and accessible when needed and becoming a single source and version of truth for refugee records.
What challenges did you face when launching AidNexus?
Oh, absolutely. Building trust and collaboration within the humanitarian sector was a major hurdle, this was mainly due to the fact that the third sector is driven by de-facto players that mostly have political and social agendas that do not align with the objectives of this platform.
The other underlying reason that I uncovered was that their theory of change originates primarily in solving their problems firstly as organizations (aid fraud, third party & value chain funds mismanagement, identity management..etc.) rather than looking at the problem solution paradigm from the refugees & displaced persons perspective.
Also, many third sector organizations are hesitant to adopt a forward-thinking or proactive mindset by taking initiatives that are outside of their comfort zones towards solving such major issues, they would rather wait for third sector major players to mandate them to deliver a top bottom agenda.
How does AidNexus streamline processes for aid organizations?
AidNexus is a game-changer for aid organizations. It streamlines their work by providing a centralized, secure platform for refugee data. This means they can spend less time on paperwork and more time delivering aid. Plus, real-time data access helps them make more informed decisions about resource allocation.
What are the key benefits for host countries using AidNexus?
Host countries gain a comprehensive overview of refugee populations through AidNexus. This helps them plan effectively, allocate resources efficiently, improve provided health services to hosted refugees, while facilitating informed policymaking and resource allocation.
Also, countries that are receiving resettled refugees can accelerate the inclusion of these new residents regarding their medical care services, educational, financial and work force inclusion and integration also.
How does the platform integrate with existing systems?
We’ve designed AidNexus to be flexible. It integrates with various healthcare systems, including those using common standards like HL7/HL7 CDA and FHIR.
For systems with unique requirements, we develop custom connectors. Data privacy and security are paramount, so we’ve implemented robust measures to protect sensitive information.
How does blockchain technology enhance your solution?
Blockchain is the backbone of our solution. Its immutability and transparency are crucial for ensuring data integrity and security. Plus, smart contracts can automate certain processes, improving efficiency. And, because it’s decentralized, the data is more resilient.
Now, while blockchain provides a secure and transparent foundation, it’s the native integration of zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP) that truly revolutionizes data protection for refugees. Imagine this: a refugee needs to prove they’ve been vaccinated without revealing their entire medical history. That’s precisely what ZKPs enable.
Essentially, ZKPs allow individuals to prove knowledge of information without revealing the information itself. In the context of refugees, this means we can verify their identity, eligibility for certain services, or medical conditions without compromising the sensitive details of their lives. This is crucial because it shields refugees from potential exploitation, discrimination, or political targeting based on their data.
For instance, a refugee might need to prove they’ve completed a certain educational program to qualify for a job, but they don’t want to disclose their entire academic record. With ZKPs, they can verify their qualifications without revealing sensitive personal details.
It’s a powerful tool that reinforces our commitment to putting refugees in control of their data and safeguarding their privacy, basically self-sovereignty over their data, information and narrative.
What future innovations are you planning for AidNexus?
We’re excited about the future of AidNexus! We’re expanding the passport to include more essential documents (i.e. Civil, Educational, Academic, Vocational…etc.), also we are looking into Integrating AI capabilities for advanced data analysis and predictive modeling to optimize integrated aid and inclusion services delivery.
How does AidNexus address healthcare needs for refugees?
By providing a centralized digital health record platform, we ensure continuity of care, even when refugees move. This is especially important for chronic conditions. Early disease detection, improved treatment outcomes, preventive care initiatives and better coordination of care are also key benefits.
Also prioritizing support for women and children’s health care (through antenatal care, birth delivery and neonatal care including immunization & vaccination records) and mental health for refugees and their families across borders; enhances and optimizes the ability and capacity of health care providers to serve refugees better.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs in the similar space?
Sure, here it is in no order:
Embrace technology, but always prioritize empathy and ethics.
Persevere and be patient, suffering and obstacles are blessings in disguise (or God’s life boot camp as I call it)
Change is the only constant in an entrepreneur’s journey
Beware of time & energy vampires
Never judge a book by its cover
More importantly, all those who led change throughout history and made a difference had firmly believed in the power of their ideas and their ability to make a real difference, regardless of what others might have said or thought.
