Uganda launches COVID-19 WhatsApp helpline
The government of Uganda has joined the growing list of countries to launch HealthAlert, our chat-based solution to empower citizens with the right information and support the national response of the health systems that serve them.
With support from WhatsApp and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Uganda is implementing the HealthAlert free-to-use service as a central source of accurate, trustworthy and up-to-date information about COVID-19.
The service includes information on prevention and symptoms, the latest statistics in Uganda, advice on staying at home, travel advisories, myth-busting and the tracking suspected COVID-19 cases. It will also enable the Ministry of Health to send urgent messages to all Ugandans opting into the service.
“We welcome WhatsApp’s partnership in helping us to reach and interact with a wider segment of the population, so we can share the facts and provide accurate advice.”
Said Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Atwine, “As a Ministry of Health, we are deploying both traditional and digital communication tools to disseminate trusted information about this virus. We welcome WhatsApp’s partnership in helping us to reach and interact with a wider segment of the population, so we can share the facts and provide accurate advice.”
This is the 9th national Ministry of Health to implement HealthAlert in their region during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Developed to connect social impact organisations with audiences using chat messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Turn’s tech solution is underpinned by the crucial role of chat as the growing platform of choice for the majority world. WhatsApp users in Uganda can access the free information service by simply adding the number +256-0774-177-381 to their phone contacts and type any word – like “Hi” - to get started.
