Shivani Pai
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 13: With the coronavirus pandemic fast approaching the five-figure mark in India, the government is striving hard to curb the spread of the virus. Different states are coming up with innovative means to help people seeking relief. One such initiative was launched on Monday, April 13, by the Karnataka government with an aim to provide quick aid to the public. With the support of Facebook-owned WhatsApp, the Karnataka government has come up with 'Corona Helpdesk' service which would provide immediate assistance to those in need.
An overview of the service was provided by L K Atheeq, principal secretary of the state government's rural development and panchayat raj. Speaking to Daijiworld, Atheeq, who also heads the government's committee for information dissemination on coronavirus, emphasized the benefit of the service and its importance to every individual with a WhatsApp account. The initiative has been just rolled out on Monday after chief minister B S Yediyurappa announced about it via Twitter. Currently, a similar form of service is being used by WHO, and hence it was deemed wise to launch it for the population of Karnataka who would be keen on having credible information relating to COVID-19 situation in the state, he said.
Atheeq stressed that WhatsApp was one of the several measures being adopted by the Karnataka government to educate the public on COVID-19. The officials are focusing their efforts to also promote awareness on the pandemic, through debunking rumours and fake news with the newly launched 'Corona Helpdesk', which is available in two languages, English and Kannada.
However, since the service would be serving only people who have access to WhatsApp, it leaves out the ones who do not use internet-based communication. Responding to this query, Atheeq said, "A village-level task force is in place for those at the gram panchayat level, the ones who do not have access to information pertaining to the COVID-19. The activities include conducting meetings, announcements on loudspeakers, and images painted on walls in the villages to create awareness through pictorial representation."
Corona Helpdesk is currently in its initial stages and Atheeq stated that after studying the public response for the service, decisions for upgrading it will be taken.
Steps:
1. Save the number 8750971717 in phone contacts
2. Open WhatsApp, send 'Hi' to the number
3. A pop-up message would give an option to select a preferred language (English or Kannada). A numerical option to initiate the conversation must be entered
4. Once the option is entered, the next response would include the following:
For any medical emergency, please dial: 97456 97456 / 080 46848600 / 080 66692000
Toll-Free Number: 104
Please choose from the following options:
1. What is COVID-19 & what are its symptoms?
2. How does COVID-19 spread?
3. How can you protect yourself & your family?
4. Where can you get help?
5. How can you contribute?
6. How can you help in preventing the spread of COVID-19 in your village?
7. For latest updates and media alerts
Through the selection of any of the above options, subsequent data and information will be provided to the user.
Atheeq informed that the helpdesk will be regularly updated with new data regarding the current situation of the COVID-19 in the state. He urged the need for circulation of the helpline service which would help the public in proactively safeguarding their lives.