Shaqodoon Launches Helpline To Support the Somaliland Government’s Efforts to Contain COVID-19
Shaqodoon Organization, Ministry of Health Development and Telesom Company in collaboration from Oxfam jointly launched a new dedicated COVID19 helpline center which will provide the public with up to date information for all the 6 major regions residents, Information regarding the virus behavior, How it spreads? How to prevent and protect themselves? and to learn about the disease’s symptoms, This helpline is operated by 16 medical professionals who have volunteered to direct calls and facilitate advice and or medical assistance, This call agents have received a training on the IVR system and calling ethics by Shaqodoon Organization.
Shaqodoon Organization which has been the implementing partner has provided a sophisticated IVR system that will be able to handle multiple calls at the same time and connect to multiple lines so that different call agents can handle and redirect many calls from different locations, Shaqodoon has also renovated and equipped the helpline center with the necessary tools and facility utilities required to perform the operation in the most useful way.
Telesom has also facilitated a toll-free land lines that has been configured and integrated with shaqodoon’s IVR system, The system has four main features:
1. Access to Health Information
2. Learn and Check for COVID19 Symptoms
3. Leave a Voicemail
4. Direct Call with a Health Professional
The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Health Development and was attended by the members of the National COVID19 Prevention Task Force and the Implementing partners, and various media outlets.
As the start of the launch the Minister Omer Ali of the Ministry of Health Development jointly with Abdiqani Dirie Project Manager of Shaqodoon, Abdiwahaab Maah and Khadar Ibrahim Oxfam’s head of Development Program have cut the rope on the new center and had a tour from Shaqodoon stuff, Ahmed Mohamed from Shaqodoon has briefly explained the call center and how it will operate and it is main features.
The ceremony took place at the Ministry of Health Development and was attended by the members of the National COVID19 Prevention Task Force and the Implementing partners, and various media outlets.
As the start of the launch the Minister Omer Ali of the Ministry of Health Development jointly with Abdiqani Dirie Project Manager of Shaqodoon, Abdiwahaab Maah and Khadar Ibrahim Oxfam’s head of Development Program have cut the rope on the new center and had a tour from Shaqodoon stuff, Ahmed Mohamed from Shaqodoon has briefly explained the call center and how it will operate and it is main features.
After that the ceremony was kicked off, Abdiqani Dirie’s Shaqodoon’s Project Director explained the technical aspect of the helpline center and thanked all the implementing and supporting institutions for making this helpline possible “We urge the community to take this line seriously and stop prank calling the line or making the operators busy for unnecessary reasons, This line could take part of the efforts in containing this particular virus.”
“Together with Shaqodoon Organization & Somaliland’s ministry of health, we launched COVID19 call center, which designed to provide information to the community during this critical time. The system will handle multiple calls, voice messages & provide symptoms screening option.” Says Khadar Ibrahim of Oxfam and emphasized on how important it is for other institutions to support the ministry with the the efforts of preventing the Corona Virus.
Abdiwahab Mah Telesom’s Investment Manager stated the importance of data in this crucial times and how information access must be accessible by everyone to avoid the consequences of misinformation.
The Minister and Director General of the Ministry of Health Development has thanked and expressed deep appreciation to all the partners who have established this helpline.