New Delhi (NVI): The World Health Organization (WHO) has created a health alert on WhatsApp to keep people aware and updated about the coronavirus pandemic and combat misinformation.
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads which has infected more than 2,25,000 people and killed more than 11,000 people globally, people are turning to the World Health Organization for official, trusted health information and advice.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced the move on his social media platform and said that Faceboom and Whatsapp have worked together with WHO to get “authoritative information” about coronavirus sent directly to a person’s WhatsApp account.
The new service, which is free to use, has been designed to answer questions from the public about COVID-19, and to give prompt, reliable and official information 24 hours a day, worldwide. This will also serve government decision-makers by providing the latest numbers and situation reports.
To avail this service, WhatsApp users can save the number +41 79 893 1892 into their phone contacts and text the word “Hi” in a WhatsApp message to begin receiving alerts.
Information provided in the WHO Health Alert includes tips on protection from the infection, travel advice and debunking myths about the coronavirus pandemic.
The service is initially being launched in English but will be available in all six United Nations languages within the coming weeks (English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.)
Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “Digital technology gives us an unprecedented opportunity for vital health information to go viral and spread faster than the pandemic, helping us save lives and protect the vulnerable. We are proud to have partners like Facebook and WhatsApp, that are supporting us in reaching billions of people with important health information.”
The WHO Health Alert is the latest official NGO or government helpline to become available on WhatsApp, joining the Singapore Government, The Israel Ministry of Health, the South Africa Department of Health, and KOMINFO Indonesia.
Earlier this week WhatsApp, in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNDP, launched the WhatsApp Coronavirus Information Hub, to provide simple guidance for health workers, community leaders, local governments and local businesses that rely on WhatsApp to communicate.
