In an age where health misinformation spreads quickly, The Healthy Indian Project (THIP), founded by CEO Sudipta Sengupta, is tackling the infodemic by providing Indians with accurate and reliable health information
Published Jan 24, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 24, 2025 | 2:12 PM
Sudipta Sengupta - Founder-CEO, The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) - A Health Literacy Platform
In an era where health misinformation spreads faster than ever, often outpacing verified facts, one platform is making a difference by empowering Indians with accurate health insights. The Healthy Indian Project (THIP), founded by CEO Sudipta Sengupta, is engaged in the challenge of combating the infodemic.
In this exclusive interview, Sudipta Sengupta shares the journey of THIP, its mission, and how it is reshaping the way Indians access reliable health information.
Q. What is The Healthy Indian Project?
A. The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) is an ambitious venture to build a health-literate India. We intend to educate millions of Indians, especially people in underserved areas, about health matters so they can make better health decisions or have better discussions with doctors.
We started THIP pre-COVID, in 2019–2020, to build a credible health information platform. We realised the Indian health information ecosystem is quite broken. India has 22 official languages, and there is a shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas. We built a database of the most-asked questions around 140 health conditions and 32 treatment areas.
Along the way, we understood that propagating health literacy also involves combating health misinformation, of which there is a flood online.
A survey we conducted with CyberMedia Research revealed that 62% of Indians cannot differentiate between accurate health information and misinformation.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue, with the WHO coining the term “infodemic.” During the crisis, unverified remedies spread rapidly, undermining public health efforts.
Since then, in the last 4-5 years, we’ve fact-checked thousands of pieces of health misinformation. We work with platforms like Meta to address misinformation on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Q. Social media spreads information at lightning speed, with misinformation often dominating. How does THIP manage to debunk misinformation in real time?
A. Unlike political or social misinformation, health misinformation is often shared without malicious intent. People genuinely believe in remedies they share, but they lack scientific validation. Fact-checking alone is not enough because much misinformation spreads in closed networks like family or social groups.
Meta’s third-party fact-checking programme has been a great help. It allows us access to their backend, where flagged content is labeled as false or partially false, with warnings to users. This approach helps raise awareness and slow the spread of misinformation.
Q. The RAKSHA chatbot has been widely appreciated. Can you tell us more about it?
A. The Raksha chatbot is a WhatsApp-based tool, soon to be integrated into our website as an AI chatbot. People can share any information they come across online and are unsure about, and our team fact-checks it.
It also addresses common health questions, bridging the trust gap between doctors and patients. We often receive viral misinformation early from our community, allowing us to act swiftly. The chatbot’s number is 85078 85079, and anyone can drop a message to get assistance.
Q. I noticed that the platform supports multiple languages. Are there plans to include South Indian languages?
A. Yes, we aim to expand to all 22 official languages of India. However, we are cautious, as health information must be accurate and culturally contextual. We currently have a network of 250 doctors, mostly from East, West, and North India. We’re working to include more South Indian doctors and plan to roll out support for Southern languages as soon as we have credible resources in place.
Q. With multiple streams of medicine in India, like Ayurveda, modern medicine, and others, how do you differentiate between misinformation and traditional practices?
A. We consider all government-approved medical fields, including Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy, as valid, provided there is scientific evidence. Our team includes experts from different fields to ensure a balanced approach. For instance, we debunk claims like “lemon water cures cancer” by pointing out that while lemon water has health benefits, it’s not a substitute for chemotherapy. There’s no Ayurvedic or other system of medicine that supports such a claim.
Q. What are some tips for the public to identify health misinformation?
A. Who said it? Verify if the person sharing the information is qualified. A fitness influencer, for instance, is not an authority on cancer.
What is being said? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Why is it being said? Look for hidden motives, like product promotion.
Always consult a doctor for reliable advice.
Q. Are there traps people often fall into regarding health misinformation?
A. Desperation often leads people to fall for quick-fix solutions, false promises, or financial scams. Stay vigilant and consult qualified professionals instead of seeking shortcuts.
An influencer on social media with a number of followers does not necessarily have to be a reliable source of information.
People tend to trust celebrities or influencers with large followings, even if they lack expertise. However, health decisions should be guided by doctors, not social media personalities.
Q. Has THIP worked with the government, or are there plans to do so?
A. We have not collaborated on fact-checking efforts to maintain nonpartisanship. However, we are open to working with the government and social bodies on health literacy initiatives. We believe educating people about health conditions can significantly reduce their susceptibility to misinformation.
(Edited by Rosamma Thomas)
