In a significant stride towards global health education, Dettol Banega Swasth India unveiled its innovative AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, ‘Hygieia For Good Hygiene,’ at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos. Originally launched in India on October 2, 2024, this chatbot is designed to disseminate critical hygiene information to diverse linguistic groups.

Initially available in six Indian languages—English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, and Odia—the chatbot has now expanded its linguistic repertoire to include Spanish, French, and Mandarin, marking its international outreach. This expansion underscores Dettol’s commitment to promoting hygiene practices across cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Ravi Bhatnagar, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships at Reckitt, South Asia, emphasized the universal importance of hygiene, stating, “Hygiene is a universal need that transcends borders, beliefs, and cultures and serves as the foundation of good health, preventing disease and promoting sustainability.” He highlighted that the chatbot aims to provide accessible, science-based hygiene knowledge in multiple languages, thereby empowering communities globally.

The chatbot employs advanced AI technologies to offer users instant, accurate responses to hygiene-related queries. It introduces children to the concept of germs and reinforces essential handwashing practices, aligning with the World Health Organization’s guidelines. Users can interact with mascots featuring distinct personalities, creating an engaging and personalized learning experience.

The initiative has garnered support from prominent figures. Actor and environmentalist Bhumi Pednekar, associated with Banega Swasth India since 2016, expressed her pride in the campaign’s impact. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, highlighted the critical link between hygiene and disease prevention, noting that proper sanitation can significantly reduce infection risks.

Sanjay Pugalia, Editor-in-Chief of NDTV Network, lauded the chatbot’s launch, stating, “The Hygieia chatbot will undoubtedly be an easy-to-use platform for much-needed information and support for children as they learn critical lessons about handwashing and hygiene.” He emphasized the importance of such innovations in driving behavior change and contributing to a healthier, more sustainable world.

Banega Swasth India, a collaborative initiative by Dettol and NDTV, has been dedicated to improving hygiene outcomes across India. Aligned with the Swachh Bharat Mission and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the campaign has reached over 24 million children in the past decade through various programs and tools aimed at integrating hygiene into daily life.

The international debut of ‘Hygieia For Good Hygiene’ at the WEF 2025 signifies a pivotal moment in global health education, leveraging technology to foster better hygiene practices worldwide.