Delhi Government Launches WhatsApp Number To Provide COVID Info, Locate Vaccination Centres, Book Slots

New Delhi: The Arvind Kejriwal government on Wednesday launched a new COVID-19 ‘WhatsApp Help desk Number’ which will help people in Delhi access credible information about the viral disease, locate nearest vaccination centres and book slots for receiving the jabs.

Tele-consultation and information about oxygen cylinder refilling stations will also be available through the WhatsApp chatbot, according to a statement. It will be a single-window source of accurate, authentic and up-to-date information about Covid-related resources in Delhi.

To avail it, all that a user has to do is send ‘Hi’ to +911122307145 on WhatsApp, it said.

We have built the tech solution of a WhatsApp chatbot to fortify our preparedness in view of an anticipated third wave (of Covid). We have added some new features to this chatbot to aid citizens conveniently access credible information and resources related to COVID-19 besides helping them locate their nearest vaccine centres, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said.

Also Read: COVID-19: G20 Health Ministers Agree Vaccine Confidence Measures

The chatbot, built on an integrated solution of WhatsApp Business API, is integrated with the Cowin Portal and the Delhi government’s ‘COVID War Room’. People can find their nearest vaccination centre, available vaccine slots, hospital beds and oxygen refining centres through this chatbot.

Over the last year and a half, simple and intuitive technology like WhatsApp has played a pivotal role in helping India in its strife against the pandemic. The Delhi government’s custom tech-solution of this WhatsApp-API Helpline chatbot will now supplement and accelerate the government’s pandemic relief efforts and equip the people of Delhi with credible information and resources related to COVID-19, said Shivnath Thukral, the Public Policy Director of WhatsApp.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.