HKT's one-stop telemedicine platform DrGo has announced the introduction of first-in-Asia FibriCheck for atrial fibrillation function. Together with Roche Diagnostics (Hong Kong), FibriCheck and The Hong Kong Society of Rehabilitation (HKSR), DrGo has launched "Atrial Fibrillation Tele-Screening Programme (AF-SEEN Programme)" with an aim to raise awareness of stroke risk caused by atrial fibrillation among Hong Kongers. The "AF-SEEN Programme" enables users of the DrGo health-tech app to screen for cardiac condition via their smartphones.

Stroke is Hong Kong's fourth most fatal disease. While around 20% of stroke cases are caused by atrial fibrillation, one-third of these patients are not aware that they have atrial fibrillation before having a stroke.

According to local data, it is expected that 260,000 Hong Kongers have persistent or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, among which, one-third of them may not experience any symptoms. In the past, atrial fibrillation could only be detected via electrocardiogram (ECG).

Developed by Belgian company, Qompium NV, the FibriCheck technology has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and Australian Drug Administration and is CE class IIa marked in Europe. It has the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of more than 90%.

The "AF-SEEN Programme" is the first collaboration between DrGo and the HKSR, one of the biggest non-governmental organisations in Hong Kong that focuses on health management. One of the main aims of the programme is to draw attention to atrial fibrillation, which can lead to serious health consequences.