The World Health Organisation has launched a WhatsApp service to provide the public with information regarding Covid-19.
The service, launched on Friday, was established in the hope of keeping people safe from coronavirus by providing accurate information to those concerned about the virus.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) partnered with WhatsApp and Facebook to launch the service, developed in collaboration with Praekelt.Org, which has the potential to reach two billion people.
The messaging service will provide the latest news and information on coronavirus, including detailed descriptions of symptoms and advice on how people can protect themselves as well as others with their behaviour.
I am proud to announce that today we launched a new @WHO Health Alert messaging service via @WhatsApp. This service will provide the latest news & information on #COVID19, including details on symptoms and how to protect yourself. To subscribe, click here https://t.co/mUvOWlGfqC
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 20, 2020
The latest situation reports and numbers affected by the virus will also be provided by the service in real time, with the hope that it will help everyone from Government leaders to health professionals to the general public.
To access the service, click here to open the conversation on WhatsApp, which will be activated when users type ‘hi’.
A menu of options will appear which will give users the opportunity to have their questions on coronavirus answered.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the WHO said on Twitter: “I am proud to announce that today we launched a new WHO Health Alert messaging service via WhatsApp.
“This service will provide the latest news & information on Covid-19, including details on symptoms and how to protect yourself.”
