WHO’s Health Alert reaching billions

—sharing facts on COVID-19 via WhatsApp

DPI, Guyana, Friday, March 20, 2020

The World Health Organisation has embarked on a more modern initiative of getting facts on the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to billions of people around the world.

On Friday, March 20, 2020, WHO launched a Health Alert messaging service with WhatsApp and Facebook.

The app is an easy-to-use messaging service with the potential to reach two billion people, enabling WHO to get information directly into the hands of those who need it.

A recent update from WHO indicated that the reach will be cross-cutting, “from government leaders to health workers and family and friends, this messaging service will provide the latest news and information on the coronavirus including details on symptoms and how people can protect themselves and others.”

The messaging service also provides the latest situation reports and numbers in real-time to help government decision-makers protect the health of their populations.

The service can be accessed by inputting the WhatsApp number +41 798 931 892 and then typing “hi” to activate the conversation, prompting a menu of options that can help answer their questions about COVID-19

While the app is seen as providing accessibility to general updates on the coronavirus worldwide, in Guyana, the Ministry of Public Health’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages are reliable sources for up-to-date information specific to Guyana.

Also, the Ministry’s hotline numbers can be contacted for further details if you think you may have come in contact with a suspected case or if a person has recently travelled from a country where cases have been reported.

The hotline numbers are 227-4986, 229-7490, 231-1166, 226-7480, 624-9355, 624-6674, 624-2819 and 624-3067.