In a significant move to strengthen digital public healthcare, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a health chatbot to improve accessibility, transparency and efficiency of healthcare services for Mumbai’s citizens. The initiative represents a key step in BMC’s broader digital transformation of civic health services.
Inauguration Marks New Milestone in Digital Governance
State Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs and Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar inaugurated the digital health chatbot. With this launch, BMC continues to integrate technology-driven solutions into public healthcare delivery, reinforcing its commitment to citizen-centric governance.
Chatbot to Provide Verified Health Information
As part of its digital healthcare initiative, the chatbot will offer easy access to verified health-related information. This includes disease awareness, preventive healthcare guidance, updates on public health campaigns and information on nearby healthcare facilities. Citizens can access the chatbot through the dedicated mobile number 9892993368.
Commissioner Emphasises Time-Saving and Emergency Benefits
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani said the chatbot aligns with the civic body’s vision of making public health information readily available through digital platforms. Moreover, he noted that technology-enabled services will save citizens valuable time and play a critical role during healthcare emergencies.
Wide Range of Civic Health Services Available Online
Through the chatbot, citizens can access information on a wide range of civic health services. As reported by freepressjournal, these include online OPD appointment registration, health certificates, licensing procedures, birth and death certificates, marriage registration, disability certificates and maternity home licences. In addition, the online registration facility for health centres is expected to reduce waiting times and significantly improve convenience for users.
More Digital Health Tools Planned by BMC
Looking ahead, BMC plans to further expand the chatbot’s capabilities. In the coming months, it will provide information on various state and central government health schemes. Furthermore, the civic body plans to launch a dedicated healthcare website, along with OPD and bed-availability dashboards, to ensure simplified access to healthcare services and real-time information for Mumbai’s residents.