‘Losing hope’: India’s Covid-19 meltdown exposes new front in digital divide


A security guard puts up a notice informing the non-availability of beds for patients in a private hospital amid Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in India. — AFP

LUCKNOW/MUMBAI: As India’s daily coronavirus cases set global records, people desperately searching for hospital beds and oxygen cylinders are finding help on social media. But for others like Ruby Yadav, who has never heard of Twitter, time and hope is running out.

Travelling by rickshaw, Yadav and her mother – who is seriously ill with Covid-19 – have been turned away by nearly a dozen public hospitals in the northern city of Lucknow this week as the country’s health system crumbles.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In Tech News

Study warns users about health information on TikTok
Apple renews talks with OpenAI for iPhone generative AI features, Bloomberg News reports
Google plans $3 billion data center investment in Indiana, Virginia
X tells Brazil court 'operational faults' allowed blocked users to remain active
TikTok general counsel to step down, will focus on fighting US law
Google asks court to throw out US advertising case
Apollo, KKR and Stonepeak to invest in JV to fund Intel's Ireland facility, Bloomberg reports
Televisa to merge its satellite TV, cable units 'as soon as possible'
EU's Vestager meets French tech firm Mistral AI amid competition concerns
Shein falls under tough EU online content rules as user numbers jump

Others Also Read