A WhatsApp message that has been widely circulated claiming that the Centre has launched a new scheme to address the blood requirement in the country has been debunked.
A tweet by PIB Fact Check mentioned that the government is neither running any 'Blood on Call' scheme nor has it launched any pan-India helpline number, as claimed by the message.
" Claim: Government of India has launched a pan-India helpline number 104, "Blood on Call" to meet the requirement for blood
#PIBFactCheck
☑️ This claim is #misleading
☑️ GOI is not running any such scheme !!
☑️ This number is used for various helpline services in some states," mentioned the official tweet.
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The posts which went viral read," Government's new scheme...from today '104' becomes India's special number for blood requirement. The service is available 24x7. After calling this number, blood will be delivered within 4 hours within a 10 km radius. Cost Rs 450 per bottle and Rs 100 for delivery. Please forward this message to your friends, relatives, and groups. A new life can be saved through this facility."
It was also informed that the helpline number 104 has been in use by some states in the country, like in Assam, where 104 is a round-the-clock, free-of-cost health contact center providing key services like:
- Medical advice using triage and providing appropriate advice
- Counseling services (including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, matrimonial discord, depression, chronic diseases, psychological distress, and suicide prevention)
- Directory information (information about health service providers)
- Complaint registry (citizens can register complaints against any public health provider)
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