# Intro

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical vulnerabilities in public healthcare systems across the globe. In many countries, the sudden surge in demand for medical resources led to the collapse or extreme strain of national healthcare infrastructures. This unprecedented situation significantly diminished public trust in government-led health services and accelerated a shift toward self-managed and technology-driven personal healthcare solutions.

Even in the post-pandemic era, this transformation continues. Consumers increasingly prioritize preventive care, real-time health monitoring, and personalized medical support outside traditional clinical settings. This trend is especially pronounced in regions such as **Southeast Asia, India, and Africa**, where public health infrastructure remains underdeveloped or inaccessible for large portions of the population. In these environments, **self-diagnosis, remote monitoring, and decentralized care are not just conveniences—they are essential for survival**.

As a result, the **global demand for scalable, accessible, and affordable personal healthcare solutions** is experiencing rapid growth. This shift represents a fundamental realignment in the healthcare paradigm, creating vast opportunities for innovation and investment in **AI-powered diagnostics, mobile health platforms, and biometric technologies** that empower individuals to take control of their health anytime, anywhere.

### Jump right in

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Getting Started</strong></td><td>IRIS Feature</td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/Y8WQxcjUPWwLXlI95oYx/blobs/A97Pv0Edz1djqXc59LB5/1.png">1.png</a></td><td></td><td><a href="getting-started/insignt">insignt</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Global to Japan</strong></td><td>Insight Japan &#x26; Value</td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/Y8WQxcjUPWwLXlI95oYx/blobs/avFsAgC6np6Mc1rONMxi/2.png">2.png</a></td><td></td><td><a href="iris-in-japan">iris-in-japan</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Token Description</strong></td><td>Ecosystem &#x26; Distribution</td><td><a href="https://content.gitbook.com/content/Y8WQxcjUPWwLXlI95oYx/blobs/9UzTCxsSZNdaakupcRid/3.png">3.png</a></td><td></td><td><a href="getting-started/feature">feature</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://en.docs.irischain.io/iris-chain/readme.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.