India, like the rest of the world, is grappling with the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19. With Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainty around, health as a subject has gained unprecedented attention from all quarters, so much so that it has taken over the conversation everywhere across mediums, especially social media platforms.
With the internet penetration going up in the country and the sheer number of users using these platforms for communicating and sharing information with each other. Misinformation and hoaxes that go viral, and can often lead to unwelcome consequences. The unabashed dissemination of these materials and their sheer volume have created what can be called as an equally dangerous epidemic.
To put an end to this menace, a platform called Health Patrol has been launched under the able guidance of renowned cardiologist and Padma Shri awardee Dr K.K. Aggarwal who is the President of Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Ex-National President of Indian Medical Association.
The platform HealthPatrol and what its role in combating fake health news. Led by Dr Krishan Kumar Aggarwal, Sr. Physician, Cardiologist. Recipient of four national awards including the prestigious Padma Shri.#health #healthnews #fakenews #fakenewsmedia #healthpatrol #ComingSoon pic.twitter.com/TTMPUZvjSS
— Health Patrol (@HealthPatrol_in) September 3, 2020
He has put together a team consisting of experienced doctors from a multitude of medical specialisations like Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Infectious Diseases, Diabetes and Endocrinology, and subject matter experts who’ll be providing the necessary knowledge and expertise required to research and investigate the authenticity of any piece of health news in circulation.
Health Patrol would be the go-to ally for people to verify a piece of news or social media forward related to health. To check the facts of any health news one needs to share the URL or any attachment received with the Health Patrol helpline number +91 74280 98883 via WhatsApp or through the social media pages and website of Health Patrol. And the team would revert post validation within a few days of receiving the request.
The role of such a platform would be to bust fake health news being circulated by checking the veracity of it through research and releasing the verified news in the public domain.
Dr Aggarwal, said, ”As someone who has worked extensively in the health industry, this initiative is close to my heart as it aims to empower people with the right information in order to save them from falling prey to malicious health tips and recommendations. Which is a critical step in enabling a better healthcare system in the country for the future? However, for it to thrive and be successful I would urge everyone to use this platform as much as possible so that more and more fact-checking of health news can happen.
