Harnessing Social Media For Good

In the midst of a health crisis, medical emergencies, and a collapsing healthcare system, India’s citizens have stepped forward to lend a helping hand in whichever way possible, all through the power of the internet and social media, fuelled by empathy and generosity.

- Kalwyna Rathod

From influencers and meme creators using their reach to keep followers updated about the availability of oxygen cylinders and ICU beds to strangers responding to online requests for food, medical supplies and plasma, social media has been a boon like no other as we battle the second wave of COVID-19. Not just individuals, there have been instances of hospitals, too, turning to social media in the hope of getting the attention of government officials for COVID-19 supplies! In April, Fortis Healthcare, a private company with hospitals across India, tweeted, “Fortis Hospital in #Haryana has only 45 minutes of oxygen left,” in a bid to get authorities to act immediately and help them save patients’ lives. An hour later, an oxygen tanker was despatched to the hospital, and receipt was confirmed six hours after the tweet for help.

With desperate Indians driven to seek help on various online platforms, several good Samaritans have stepped forward to do the best they can, harnessing the power of the Internet. Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt recently partnered with journalist Faye D’Souza to share lists of COVID-19 helpline numbers across cities and amplify other credible information.