Facebook announced on Friday that it is collaborating with the Indian government to launch a vaccine finder tool on its mobile app in India, which will help people locate vaccination clinics in their region. Earlier this week, the social network behemoth announced a $10 million grant for COVID-19 emergency management activities in the region.
“In India, Facebook will begin rolling out its Vaccine Finder service on the Facebook mobile app in 17 languages, in partnership with the Government of India, to help people recognize places nearby to get the vaccine,” Facebook said in a post on the website.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has included the positions and hours of service of vaccine centres in this tool (MoHFW).
In total, 15.22 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the region. In addition, more than 2.45 crore people have enrolled on the Co-WIN digital portal ahead of the launch of Phase 3 of the COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 18 and up on May 1.
Facebook’s tool can also show walk-in opportunities (for those 46 and up) as well as a connection to register on the Co-Win website and arrange a vaccination appointment, according to the company.
The second phase of the pandemic has seen a huge increase in illnesses, resulting in a lack of medical oxygen and beds in many nations.
Facebook and Twitter have emerged as lifelines, linking those in need of oxygen tanks, hospital beds, plasma donations, and ventilators with potential donors through social media channels.
Facebook said it is collaborating with organizations like United Way, Swasth, Hemkunt Foundation, I Am Gurgaon, Project Mumbai, and the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) to help supplement vital medical supplies with over 5,000 oxygen concentrators and other life-saving equipment like ventilators and BiPAP devices, as well as raise hospital bed space, to deploy the funds announced.
In addition, the organization is providing ad credits and insights to NGOs and UN agencies in the country so that they can meet the majority of people on Facebook with COVID-19 vaccination and preventive health content.
UNICEF India is using the website to provide health resources to people on where to get emergency treatment and how to treat moderate COVID-19 symptoms at home.
“On Facebook’s COVID-19 Information Center and in Feed, the information is easily available and popular. We’re promoting this knowledge on Instagram through Explore Guides “It was noted.
A COVID-19 SOS page has also been set up on Twitter to aid surface information from those providing or requesting emergency assistance during this crisis.
“We’ve also created a series of Twitter Moments to help you get the truth from the most trustworthy outlets, and we understand that not all of the content you see on the service is accurate. This devoted Moments on vaccine protection, how to keep healthy, and more provide comprehensive and certified information from organizations such as the Ministry of Health and Human Development and the World Health Organization, among others “It was also added.
Twitter is also stepping up its efforts to spread reliable COVID-19 content, with home Timeline prompts in English and Hindi showcasing the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 vaccinations. This, it claims, would benefit those seeking current, localized knowledge on vaccination safety, vaccine eligibility, and other specifics.
Twitter is now matching ‘Tweep’ donations at 300 percent for Oxfam India, Akshay Patra Foundation, Child Rights and You, and Rise Against Hunger India, according to the company.
It also gave $100,000 to the Hemkunt Foundation to support their role in donating oxygen cylinders.
Article Credits –
economictimes.indiatimes.com
