Chennai, July 9:
In a major step towards digital healthcare access, the Tamil Nadu Government has launched ‘Nalam AI’, a WhatsApp-based chatbot designed to simplify outpatient (OP) appointment booking at government hospitals.
The service, inaugurated by Arunraj, has been introduced on a pilot basis at the Cardiology Department of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai. Officials said the initiative aims to reduce long waiting queues and streamline patient registration processes.
With the Nalam AI chatbot, patients can complete self-registration and obtain OP slips directly from their homes using WhatsApp. This is expected to significantly improve convenience, especially for elderly patients and those travelling from distant areas.
To access the service, users need to save the WhatsApp number 98192 22999, send a “HI” message, and follow the step-by-step instructions provided by the chatbot to enter their details and book appointments.
Health department officials stated that the chatbot will gradually be expanded to other government hospitals across Tamil Nadu based on the success of the pilot phase.
The launch of Nalam AI marks a key move in leveraging technology to enhance public healthcare delivery, making hospital services faster, more accessible, and user-friendly for citizens.