Advancing Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity of Mothers, Children and Neonates

Share On:

Summary

Impact Created
card1 icon

0

Maternal deaths among high-risk pregnancies

card2 icon

90%

follow up for high-risk pregnancies identified by app

card3 icon

100%

digital field data collection achieved by 2021

About the organisation

ARMMAN is a non-profit organization leveraging technology to empower mothers, children, and health workers with critical information and services across the continuum of care. Through a public health lens, ARMMAN builds scalable, cost effective digital health solutions to reduce preventable maternal and child mortality and morbidity

Problem Statement

Operating in remote tribal regions with poor maternal and neonatal health, ARMMAN's Arogya Sakhi program faced challenges including manual data collection, delayed risk classification, limited real-time visibility, and fragmented referral tracking, hindering scalability and timely interventions.

Solution

ARMMAN digitally transformed by equipping Arogya Sakhis with a custom Android app for data capture, automated risk alerts, and referral management. This solution included integrated backend dashboards for real-time visibility, automated decision support, and offline capabilities. Implementation involved a phased, co-created rollout with extensive training and support.

Learnings
  • Involving ground teams in co-creation is crucial for user acceptance and effective implementation.
  • Offline capabilities are vital for consistent data collection in low-connectivity areas.
  • Data literacy is key: Training supervisory teams to interpret and act on data maximizes dashboard value.
Key Technologies Used
  • Custom Android Mobile Application with built in Dashboards
  • Automated MIS
  • Digital Risk Stratification

Quick Facts

  • organisation icon
    Organisation Name
    ARMMAN
  • web icon
    Organisation Website
    Visit Site
  • calendar icon
    Founding Year
    2008
  • connection icon
    Number of Beneficiaries served
    63 million+ across programs (as of 2024); ~11,000+ women and 11000+ newborns through Arogya Sakhi Program.
  • travel icon
    Geography Served
    AROGYASAKHI: Maharashtra (Palghar and Nandurbar districts), with potential to scale across rural India
  • focus icon
    Focus Area
    Programmatic Impact, Operational Efficiency
  • digital-transformation icon
    Functions Impacted
    Program Delivery, Beneficiary Services, Monitoring & Evaluation, Donor Reporting
  • sustainable-development icon
    SDG Addressed
    • sdg 3
    • sdg 10

Full Case Study

Challenges

Bridging Critical Gaps in Last-Mile Maternal and Neonatal Care

ARMMAN's Arogya Sakhi program faced significant hurdles in delivering maternal and neonatal care in remote, tribal regions of Maharashtra. These areas suffered from poor health indicators, weak infrastructure, and limited access to care, compounded by geographical isolation and socio-cultural factors.

  • Manual Data Collection
    Reliance on paper-based forms led to inefficiencies, including delayed risk identification and errors.
  • Lack of Real-time Oversight
    Program managers lacked immediate visibility into field activities and health outcomes.
  • Fragmented Referral Tracking
    Ensuring high-risk cases reached appropriate facilities was challenging due to disconnected tracking.
  • Limited Scalability
    Manual processes and lack of real-time data hindered the program's ability to expand and effectively manage cases.

These issues collectively limited scalability and the timely escalation of high-risk cases, underscoring an urgent need for a robust, digitally-enabled solution.

challenges
solution
Solution

A Data-Driven Digital Transformation for Last-Mile Health

To address these challenges, ARMMAN initiated a strategic digital transformation, empowering Community Health Workers (CHWs) with mobile-based tools and establishing robust data-driven program oversight.

  • Technology Choices:
    • Implemented a custom Android mobile application for Arogya Sakhis, enabling real-time data capture, automated risk alerts, and streamlined referral pathways.
    • Ensured critical offline capabilities were integrated into the app for reliable use in low-connectivity rural areas.
    • Developed an integrated backend system with dynamic dashboards to provide real-time data visibility and automated decision support for supervisors and program managers.
  • Implementation Approach:
    • Executed a phased rollout, co-created with frontline teams to ensure contextual relevance and user adoption.
    • Conducted extensive capacity-building programs for CHWs to enhance digital literacy and application proficiency.
    • Established continuous feedback loops and iterative updates based on field testing and user input.
  • Support & Funding:
    • Provided dedicated tech support via a helpdesk to address real-time issues and minimize disruptions.
    • Secured funding from various CSR donors (e.g., GEP, Chevron, Kotak Foundation, Citius Tech) and collaborated with strategic tech and evaluation partners.
Outcomes & Impact

Enhanced Reach, Efficiency, and Quality of Care

The digital transformation profoundly improved the Arogya Sakhi program's reach, operational efficiency, and quality of maternal and neonatal care.

  • Zero maternal deaths
    among identified high-risk pregnancies since digital escalation protocols were introduced (2023–24).
  • 90% follow-up
    for high-risk cases identified by the app.
  • 100% digital field data collection
    achieved by 2021, leading to enhanced data quality and real-time visibility for supervisors.
  • Reduced CHW paperwork
    , increasing time for direct beneficiary engagement and counselling.
  • Improved donor transparency
    through data-backed reporting.
  • Optimized resource allocation
    via better referral mechanisms.
  • Embedded data-driven decision-making
    within operations.
  • Solidified ARMMAN's credibility
    as a model for last-mile service delivery.
Additional Details