NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

The deadly coronavirus that started from seafood market in Whuan, China, has now claimed at least 15,408 lives around the world. To increase access to reliable information, World Health Organization (WHO) worked with WhatsApp and Facebook to launch a new WHO Health Alert messaging service today. The WhatsApp-based service will provide vital information about COVID-19 to millions of people through their mobile phones.

The services uses an AI chatbot to provide updated information on the pandemic, including how to protect yourself, questions and answers, and the latest news and press coverage. The Health Alert service is now available in English and will be introduced in other languages next week.

Photo courtesy of bfishadow.