They now assist people with information on testing and treatment centres in their areas, among other services
With the number of patients testing positive for Coronavirus rising with every passing day, people are increasingly keen on understanding more about the pandemic, about how they can safeguard themselves from it, the new policies and restrictions in place, and who they can reach out to in case of an emergency.
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Enter civic-tech start-ups that act as an interface between the government and the citizens. Janaagraha, which operates the I Change My City platform, for instance, has volunteers signing up as Covid-19 responders on their Community Policing program to assist citizens with helpline numbers, information on testing and treatment centres, providing essential goods and services, and connecting them with the police, as their need may be.
“We see ourselves as catalysts,” said Sapna Karim, Head, Civic Participation, Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy. She said that people have been reaching out to Covid-19 responders for medical support, and information on Coronavirus symptoms, among other queries.
Source: The Hindu BusinessLine
