Is this the official WhatsApp API?
Yes. BridgeTech builds on the official WhatsApp Business API, accessed through WATI, an authorized Meta Business Solution Provider. It is not the free WhatsApp Business app, and it is not an unofficial or gray-market tool.
What does it cost?
Setup and management are priced per clinic based on your treatment list and message volume. Meta charges separately for message usage, based on conversation category. We give you a clear quote before anything is built, not a number pulled from a generic price list.
How long does setup take?
Most clinics are live within two to three weeks. Business verification with Meta is usually the longest step and is largely outside our control. See the full breakdown on our how it works page.
Will patients know it's automated?
The assistant introduces itself and doesn't pretend to be a specific staff member. Most patients care more about getting a fast, accurate answer than about who or what sent it, but we don't hide that it's an assistant.
What happens with medical questions?
They go straight to your clinical team. The assistant is built to recognize medical questions and hand them off rather than attempt an answer.
Is it PDPA compliant?
Yes. Consent is captured before broadcast messages, every broadcast includes an opt-out, and conversation data is used only to answer inquiries, manage bookings, and send reminders a patient has agreed to receive. Read our full PDPA notice for detail.
Can it handle Malay and Mandarin?
Conversation flows are typically built in English and Malay. Mandarin support can be scoped on request, depending on your clinic's patient base.
Do we keep our existing WhatsApp number?
In most cases, yes. Your existing WhatsApp number can usually be migrated to the Business API. If it's currently on the free app, migration is part of setup. We confirm feasibility for your specific number before we start.
What if we already use a booking system?
We can usually connect to your existing calendar or booking software rather than replace it. If that's not possible for your specific system, we tell you upfront rather than promise an integration that doesn't exist.
Can we take over a conversation anytime?
Yes, always. The automation never locks your team out of the inbox. You can step into any conversation at any point, reply as yourself, and the assistant steps back until you hand it a new conversation to handle.
What if my clinic doesn't have WhatsApp Business API access yet?
That's normal. Most clinics don't. Applying for access and getting verified with Meta is part of our setup process, not something you need to arrange beforehand.
Does this work for clinics with multiple branches?
Yes. Each branch can run its own number and conversation flow, or share a structure with branch-specific details for treatments, hours, and staff, depending on how your clinic is organized and how patients currently find each location.
What happens if WhatsApp or Meta has an outage?
Availability of the WhatsApp Business API depends on Meta's infrastructure, which is outside BridgeTech's control. Outages are rare and typically brief, and your existing phone line and in-person channels remain unaffected.
Is there a long-term contract?
Terms are discussed directly during your setup call, since they depend on your clinic's specific scope. We don't believe in long, confusing contracts, and we're happy to talk terms before you commit to anything.
Can patients still call or visit in person?
Of course. WhatsApp automation adds a channel. It doesn't remove any of your existing ones. Patients can still call, walk in, or message through any other channel your clinic already offers.