Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : A misleading message circulating widely on WhatsApp is falsely claiming that the Indian government has launched a new, nationwide "blood on call" helpline service using the numbers 104 and 108. This claim is entirely untrue, and authorities are urging the public not to believe or share this misinformation.
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Indian government's official communication arm, has actively debunked this rumor through its Fact Check unit. They clarified that no such pan-India blood helpline has been established by the central government.
While the numbers 104 and 108 are indeed operational, they serve different, pre-existing purposes at the state level. For instance, 104 is often a medical advice helpline in various states, and 108 is typically an emergency response service number for ambulances and other immediate medical crises, again, managed by individual state governments. Neither of these is a dedicated, national helpline for requesting blood donations as the fake message suggests.
Spreading such false information can have serious consequences. It can create confusion, potentially overload existing emergency lines with inappropriate requests, and give false hope to those genuinely in need of blood, delaying their access to legitimate sources.
Instead of relying on unverified social media forwards, individuals seeking blood are encouraged to contact authorized blood banks, hospitals, or utilize official government platforms like the eRaktKosh portal, which provides access to information about blood availability.
It's always crucial to verify information from official and credible sources before believing or sharing it, especially when it concerns health and emergency services. Spreading unverified news can inadvertently cause harm and hinder genuine efforts.
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