Myna Bolo AI Chatbot Helps Women Ask Sensitive Health Questions

When a question indicates a potentially serious concern, users can be directed towards telehealth support or advised to seek medical attention.

Mumbai-based Myna Mahila Foundation has launched an AI chatbot with women from communities it has previously worked with, designed to make it easier for women to ask health questions they may otherwise hesitate to discuss.

The AI chatbot provides information in familiar languages and offers guidance for sensitive concerns in a private digital setting.

The foundation, which was founded in 2015, works on women’s health, economic empowerment and digital literacy, with a focus on underserved communities.

During the development of Myna Bolo, more than 10,000 health-related questions were generated in Marathi, Hindi, and English, with Telugu-English subsequently added.

These questions were used to shape a localised knowledge base, with qualified doctors and medical professionals involved in developing and reviewing the responses.

The AI chatbot was also tested for accuracy, language comprehension, and consistency across languages before being made available to users.

The decision to build the service on WhatsApp is intended to reduce the barriers associated with downloading and learning to use a new healthcare application.

When a question indicates a potentially serious concern, users can be directed towards telehealth support or advised to seek medical attention.

The foundation has also established protocols for potentially high-risk situations, including domestic violence, with appropriate helpline information and measures intended to reduce notification-related risks.

Privacy has been incorporated into the AI chatbot’s design, with user data encrypted and an option for users to request deletion of their information.

Since WhatsApp conversations can potentially be viewed on shared devices, users can also receive guidance on deleting sensitive chats.

Women can access Myna Bolo by saving 8420093835 on WhatsApp and sending “Hi” to begin.

Myna Mahila Foundation says its programmes have reached more than 1.5 million people across Mumbai’s urban slums and other parts of India.

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