diff --git a/src/curaflow_agent/activities.py b/src/curaflow_agent/activities.py
index 360f99f..fc182ea 100644
--- a/src/curaflow_agent/activities.py
+++ b/src/curaflow_agent/activities.py
@@ -92,15 +92,36 @@ async def analyze_lab_anomaly_activity(input_data: dict) -> dict:
     
     return result.model_dump()
 
+def _send_via_local_gateway(to: str, message: str) -> bool:
+    """Helper to send message via the local WhatsApp web gateway."""
+    use_local = os.environ.get("USE_LOCAL_WHATSAPP", "true").lower() == "true"
+    gateway_url = os.environ.get("LOCAL_WHATSAPP_URL", "http://localhost:5001/send-message")
+    if not use_local:
+        return False
+    try:
+        import urllib.request
+        import json
+        payload = json.dumps({"to": to, "message": message}).encode('utf-8')
+        req = urllib.request.Request(
+            gateway_url,
+            data=payload,
+            headers={'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
+            method='POST'
+        )
+        with urllib.request.urlopen(req, timeout=8) as response:
+            res_data = json.loads(response.read().decode('utf-8'))
+            if res_data.get("success"):
+                print(f"[Activities] WhatsApp message sent via local gateway to {res_data.get('recipient')}")
+                return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        print(f"[Activities] Local WhatsApp gateway failed: {e}. Falling back...")
+    return False
+
 @activity.defn
 async def send_alert_activity(alert_data: dict) -> str:
     """
     Mocks sending an alert to the physician.
     """
-    # Real Twilio WhatsApp Integration
-    from twilio.rest import Client
-    import traceback
-    
     # Credentials from environment or fallbacks
     account_sid = os.environ.get("TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID", "AC601e1962dc8417ddb3ae53cd8d865020")
     auth_token = os.environ.get("TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN", "08a68571a251d6d62f60dc83fc725b5a")
@@ -109,19 +130,27 @@ async def send_alert_activity(alert_data: dict) -> str:
     
     msg_body = f"🚨 *CURAFLOW CRITICAL ALERT* 🚨\n\n*Anomaly Detected:*\n{alert_data.get('danger_explanation', 'Unknown danger')}\n\n*Recommended Action:*\n{alert_data.get('recommended_action', 'Review immediately.')}"
     
-    print(f"!!! Triggering Real Twilio WhatsApp Alert to {physician_number} !!!")
+    print(f"!!! Triggering WhatsApp Alert to {physician_number} !!!")
     
+    # 1. Try local gateway first
+    if _send_via_local_gateway(physician_number, msg_body):
+        return f"WhatsApp alert dispatched via local gateway"
+        
+    # 2. Twilio Fallback
     try:
+        from twilio.rest import Client
+        import traceback
         client = Client(account_sid, auth_token)
         message = client.messages.create(
             from_=twilio_from,
             body=msg_body,
             to=physician_number
         )
-        print(f"WhatsApp message sent successfully! SID: {message.sid}")
-        return f"WhatsApp alert dispatched (SID: {message.sid})"
+        print(f"WhatsApp message sent successfully via Twilio! SID: {message.sid}")
+        return f"WhatsApp alert dispatched via Twilio (SID: {message.sid})"
     except Exception as e:
-        print(f"Failed to send WhatsApp message: {str(e)}")
+        print(f"Failed to send WhatsApp message via Twilio: {str(e)}")
+        import traceback
         traceback.print_exc()
         return f"Failed to dispatch WhatsApp alert: {str(e)}"
 
@@ -238,17 +267,22 @@ async def parse_booking_intent_activity(payload: dict) -> dict:
 @activity.defn
 async def send_whatsapp_reply_activity(payload: dict) -> str:
     """
-    Sends a WhatsApp message using Twilio API.
+    Sends a WhatsApp message using local gateway or falls back to Twilio.
     payload: {"phone_number": "whatsapp:+123...", "message": "..."}
     """
+    phone_number = payload.get("phone_number")
+    message_body = payload.get("message")
+    
+    # 1. Try local gateway first
+    if _send_via_local_gateway(phone_number, message_body):
+        return f"Sent via local gateway"
+        
+    # 2. Twilio Fallback
     from twilio.rest import Client
     import traceback
-    
     account_sid = os.environ.get("TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID", "AC601e1962dc8417ddb3ae53cd8d865020")
     auth_token = os.environ.get("TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN", "08a68571a251d6d62f60dc83fc725b5a")
     twilio_from = os.environ.get("TWILIO_FROM_NUMBER", "whatsapp:+14155238886")
-    phone_number = payload.get("phone_number")
-    message_body = payload.get("message")
     
     try:
         client = Client(account_sid, auth_token)
@@ -257,10 +291,10 @@ async def send_whatsapp_reply_activity(payload: dict) -> str:
             body=message_body,
             to=phone_number
         )
-        print(f"WhatsApp reply sent! SID: {message.sid}")
-        return f"Sent (SID: {message.sid})"
+        print(f"WhatsApp reply sent via Twilio! SID: {message.sid}")
+        return f"Sent via Twilio (SID: {message.sid})"
     except Exception as e:
-        print(f"Failed to send WhatsApp reply: {str(e)}")
+        print(f"Failed to send WhatsApp reply via Twilio: {str(e)}")
         traceback.print_exc()
         return f"Failed: {str(e)}"