What is the name of your solution?
Sehat Kahani
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
An intermediary-assisted telemedicine model in humanitarian communities provides a cost-effective and convenient way to deliver healthcare services to underserved populations, addressing the access gap in medical care.
What specific problem are you solving?
Catastrophic rainfall and flooding in Pakistan have destroyed 800,000 homes and damaged more than 1.3 million others. At least 8.6 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance. The floods have resulted in nearly 1,700 deaths and 12,900 injuries. Meanwhile, recent flooding across Pakistan has 33 million people affected including 4 million children who lack access to health services. This has further worsened health indicators, particularly those related to maternal, newborn, and child health. On average, most rural women in Pakistan have 4.2 children. The contraceptive prevalence rate remains low at 26 percent, meaning that a majority of people are not using birth control methods. This is despite the fact that 96 percent of married Pakistani women are aware of at least one modern contraceptive method. Additionally, an estimated 64% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30 has poor access to SRH knowledge and services, which is evident from the trends of early marriage, unintended pregnancy, gender discrimination, violence, and low rates of contraception and literacy. Also, there are various misconceptions, especially among lower and middle-income groups that unmarried and under 18 years of adolescents are too young to require SRH-related information and services. Furthermore, laws and policies are generally restrictive and the environment is not conducive to acknowledging SRHR for healthy development.
On the other spectrum, there is a gross shortage of health workers in Pakistan. the barriers along with a rapid increase in population have led to an uneven distribution of doctors, with less than 1% of its GDP expenditure on healthcare resulting in 1.1 doctors per 1000 population. Approximately 63% of the Pakistani population lives in rural areas that require long travel and face further inaccessibility to affordable and equitable healthcare services. The adoption of our telemedicine services creates a positive cascading effect on those vulnerable populations that are unable to receive the healthcare they need. As Pakistan struggles to contain the post-effects of the floodings and forced displacement, primary health services including SRHR and mental health services remain essential but out of reach for many. Our hybrid model attempts to build the capacity of local community health intermediaries by providing them with training and E-tools to utilize the Sehat Kahani mobile health application to deliver remote services to bridge the gap of health inaccessibility. Additionally, it will also explore new revenue streams for the local health workforce leading to increased cost savings, more coordinated and continuous care, and safer working conditions for improved health outcomes.
What is your solution?
Sehat Kahani is a health-tech impact initiative that democratizes healthcare access for all using technology and a committed network of doctors that allows a patient to connect with a qualified doctor in less than 60 seconds. By replicating our innovation across 49 E- Clinics and integrating our health application across more than 600 corporates we have made healthcare accessible and affordable for more than 2 million beneficiaries while working on the provision of health education and promotion to more than 3.2 million users. Through the proposed plan, we will develop and deploy a hybrid telemedicine model in the community that relies on both remote clinical consultation by doctors and in-person accompaniment by Lady Health Workers (LHWs). The project will enable Sehat Kahani to expand its mobile health application in its catchment communities to improve the accessibility of beneficiaries that have not yet been tapped via our E-Clinics.
The intervention will be implemented in humanitarian regions across Pakistan targeting a network of 100 lady health workers within these communities. Through the innovation, Sehat Kahani will provide smartphone devices and access to its mobile health application to community intermediaries that will allow them to register and track users longitudinally, deliver health services using decision support algorithms, and share data on a cloud server so that it can be aggregated for real-time decision-making. In addition, they may also facilitate in provision of OTC medication as prescribed by the remote physician, Using the application, users will also be able to schedule a visit to any of the Sehat Kahani partner e-clinics in their vicinity when needed. Sehat Kahani has an existing network of 49 E-Clinics across Pakistan that will be utilized as central hubs for users in the community to access at-clinic services such as ultrasound services, in-person counseling for SRH services, lab services, etc. In addition, these beneficiaries can also avail of 24/7 health counseling and triage using our helpline services via newly placed tela-booths in these communities during the project tenure.
The proposed project will continue to introduce technology in communities lacking awareness of it and use it as a medium to bring behavior change to empower women to consider their health needs as a priority. It will also allow Sehat Kahani to expand its reach and scope of mobile health applications, maximize the numbers of beneficiaries, and sustainably scale by generating new revenue streams through the health worker-assisted telemedicine model in these communities. This model benefits from an already established network of LHWs that are well-known to community members. LHWs serve not only as a referral link to trained doctors but also as a physical bridge to link community members with telehealth services, thus overcoming the digital divide and expanding the benefit of digital health services to those who need it.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
At the demand end, our target beneficiaries are children <5 years of age, young adolescents (10-16), and young women (16-45) living in marginalized communities with access to no or poor health services. Furthermore, gender disparities are prevalent in healthcare service utilization, with women and girls facing particular challenges due to social norms and constraints. Through our innovation, Sehat Kahani provides a service that will allow our users to avail of affordable remote health services within their homes or in their communities in under 60 seconds. Our proposed innovation bridges the privacy and confidentiality gap by allowing users to connect with specialists virtually in the comfort of their homes. Our technology is also integrated with SMS reminders for these women to alert them of their virtual appointments; thus, improving better service utilization. The proposed innovation will reduce both the knowledge and financial barriers to accessing health information and services, particularly for those residing in refugee communities and displaced populations with inaccessibility to local healthcare services. Our end-users will also have 24/7 access to SRH specialists through the helpline. Through our innovation, our end users will be able to make well-informed decisions regarding their health choices. On the supply end our beneficiaries are the female doctors and community-based health workers that are not being utilized to their full potential due to social pressures or inequality. Through our proposed innovation, we train underutilized human health resources to build their capacity for the provision of essential quality healthcare. Our solution aids in consultation, diagnosis, and management of data to reduce physical errors. In addition, our solution also serves as a sustainable financial revenue point for intermediaries such as lady health workers and healthcare workers thereby improving financial empowerment in their communities through a cost-sharing sustainable revenue model and incentivization. The impact of our solution is far-reaching, from improving maternal and child health outcomes to reducing the burden of communicable diseases in underserved communities. By addressing the root causes of inequality in healthcare service delivery, Sehat Kahani's innovation is making a significant contribution to achieving universal health coverage in Pakistan.
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
Sehat Kahani has been one of the pioneers in the telemedicine industry with a successful proof of concept. Since our 6 years in the industry, Sehat Kahani houses the largest network of 49 E-Clinics and more than 7000 health professionals trained to deliver remote health services via telemedicine. In addition, Sehat Kahani also has tapped into the highest corporate share with its mobile application currently available across 600 biggest industry magnets, Finca, and banks and now aims to expand its services as well as geographical spread across Pakistan. Sehat Kahani with a multi-population approach working on creating healthcare accessibility with the following distinctive key features: (1) The only cost-effective and sustainable telemedicine company focused on enabling access to qualified doctors, specialists, and mental well-being experts in far-flung communities using telemedicine technology while upgrading and utilizing existing infrastructure. (2) We have an extensive public partnership portfolio for our E-Clinic expansion with a reach of more than 600 corporations as our consumer base for our mobile application. (3) We have the first movers' advantage of being in the field for more than 6 years, piloting and iterating revenue streams, and treating actual paying customers. (4) The only organization which is striving to provide access to specialties in communities that were difficult for accessibility. (5) Only platform that houses more than 7500 healthcare professionals to deliver quality affordable remote telemedicine services. (6) Sehat Kahani is proud to be operated by one of the few female founders that have been recognized on a national and international scale for their social impact and health accessibility. (7) Sehat Kahani's team is representative of the communities it serves, and the company actively engages with these communities to understand their needs. The design and implementation of the solution are meaningfully guided by the communities' input, ideas, and agendas. The company works with local partners to ensure that it is providing the most relevant and effective healthcare services to these communities.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Increase local capacity and resilience in health systems, including the health workforce, supply chains, and primary care services
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
karachi
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
What is your solution’s stage of development?
Scale: A sustainable enterprise working in several communities or countries that is focused on increased efficiency
How many people does your solution currently serve?
Sehat Kahani is a health tech impact initiative that aims to democratize health care with a special focus on improvised communities using a network of qualified doctors with a focus on re-integrating female doctors into the medical workforce using telemedicine. By successfully executing our solution across 49 E- Clinics and mobile health applications we have successfully provided more than 2 million consultations with a reach of 3.2 million beneficiaries cumulatively and a portfolio of more than 650 corporations and organizations utilizing our solution across Pakistan
Why are you applying to Solve?
Sehat Kahani's innovative model of intermediary-assisted telemedicine has been effective in addressing the access gap in medical care for low-income communities in Pakistan. Through this challenge, we want to empower and create employment opportunities for the female health workforce to utilize remote solutions in order to improve health outcomes in Pakistan. We feel that the challenge can help us emerge as better leaders for our company as well as support our collective vision of strengthening primary healthcare in Pakistan by integrating e-health and m-health solutions. To reach this global vision of health for all, we require partners, mentors, and advisors. We want to reflect on our experiences and share our knowledge to cross-learn and grow. In addition, receiving mentorship from experts will enable us to expand our solution sustainably while improving the utilization uptake of our beneficiaries. The resources from the prize will also enable us to integrate necessary technological upgrades such as AI integration and machine learning that is extremely pivotal for us to understand and analyze especially the healthcare needs and resource allocation of our users. The funds will be used to expand our operations while continuing to build the skills and capacity of health practitioners to utilize and integrate our services and products into their practices. The proposed model is particularly relevant to the challenge, which seeks innovative solutions that can improve healthcare access and outcomes for communities in fragile contexts. Sehat Kahani's model is well-suited to address the challenges of providing healthcare services in contexts where traditional healthcare delivery models may be limited or disrupted. Sehat Kahani's approach also aligns with the challenge's focus on leveraging technology and innovation to address healthcare challenges. The company's use of telemedicine technology to connect patients with doctors and specialists demonstrates its commitment to innovation and its potential to make a significant impact in improving healthcare access and outcomes. Furthermore, Sehat Kahani's experience and success in providing healthcare services to underserved populations make it a strong candidate for the challenge. The company has already established partnerships with a range of stakeholders demonstrating its ability to collaborate effectively and build meaningful partnerships to achieve its mission. Sehat Kahani however operates in a challenging regulatory environment, with complex legal and cultural barriers that can make it difficult to expand its operations and reach more communities. By partnering with legal and regulatory experts through the MIT Solve, Sehat Kahani hopes to navigate these barriers and develop solutions that are culturally appropriate and compliant with local regulations. Additionally, Sehat Kahani is also seeking to expand its operations beyond Pakistan and into other markets but faces a range of market barriers, including limited access to capital, competition from established players, and a lack of awareness and trust among potential customers. Through partnerships with investors, business experts, and other stakeholders, Sehat Kahani hopes to overcome these market barriers and develop effective strategies for scaling its operations and reaching new markets.
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Dr. Iffat Zafar
What makes your solution innovative?
Our solution is innovative because it addresses the challenges of healthcare access and utilization in a new and improved way. By leveraging technology, Sehat Kahani has developed a telemedicine platform that connects underserved communities with healthcare professionals, thereby bridging the gap between patients and healthcare services. This approach is innovative because it provides a solution that is both accessible and affordable, which is crucial in marginalized communities where healthcare services are scarce, and where the cost of accessing healthcare services can be prohibitive. We also recognize the importance of utilizing female health workers and doctors who are underutilized in many societies due to social pressures and gender inequality. By empowering these health workers and providing them with the necessary training, Sehat Kahani not only improves healthcare access for underserved communities but also creates employment opportunities for female health workers who would otherwise not have access to such opportunities.
Sehat Kahani's approach to healthcare also promotes the use of technology to improve healthcare outcomes. Sehat Kahani uses secure technology that utilizes web standards and features HIPAA-compliant privacy controls and sharing preferences for each user while collecting and integrating data. We are data aggregators striving to streamline true health data in relation to primary health outcomes that have been underreported in Pakistan. Through the use of an electronic medical record system, Sehat Kahani's platform allows healthcare professionals to manage patient data efficiently and make well-informed decisions regarding patient care. This approach not only improves the quality of care that patients receive but also reduces the potential for medical errors. Furthermore, Sehat Kahani's approach is designed to be sustainable and scalable, which means that it can be replicated in different regions, and is not reliant on external funding. By creating a revenue-sharing model, Sehat Kahani ensures that health workers are incentivized to provide quality care, and that the platform can be self-sustaining in the long run. This approach is significant because it ensures that healthcare services are available to underserved communities in a sustainable manner. Sehat Kahani's innovative approach has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts from others in this space. By leveraging technology, Sehat Kahani can create partnerships with other organizations to share data and knowledge, which could lead to improved healthcare outcomes globally. Moreover, Sehat Kahani's approach to empowering female health workers could inspire other organizations to invest in similar programs to increase the utilization of underrepresented populations in healthcare.
What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them?
For the proposed project our impact goals for one year from now include:
Provision of at least 50,000 consultations through our intermediary-assisted telemedicine platform, increasing access to quality healthcare in underserved communities cumulatively during the project tenure
Train 100 nurses/ community intermediary/ health workers in providing telemedicine services, enhancing their skills, and creating job opportunities
E-pharmacy with smart outlets and closet pharmacies for the communities
Technical upgrations including integration of aiutomated decision support systems for better diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness
Achieve a patient satisfaction rate of at least 80%, indicating a positive impact on patient outcomes and experience.
Collaborate with at least 5 additional stakeholders to expand our reach and impact in displaced communities.
Five years from now:
Regional Expansion: Sehat Kahani is working with partners and investors to replicate and expand Sehat Kahani telehealth platforms in regions including South Asia, Africa and Middle East
A pool of healthcare professionals: Sehat kahani envisions training and recruiting 50,000 of HCPs, health providers, and mobilizers over the following three years after receiving this financial opportunity, with the goal of generating independent micro-entrepreneurs or consultants on the Sehat Kahani Panel.
Expand clinical module: Expansion of our Clinical Vertical with Public-Private partnerships reaching an estimated 150 E-HEalth centers in the next 5 years.
Expand Retail Application to around 18 Million Users within Pakistan.
Expand Corporate solutions to around 13 million users outside Pakistan while working with over 10000 corporations.
Include AI and machine learning to address both curative as well as preventative health.
Achieve a patient satisfaction rate of at least 90%, indicating a sustained positive impact on patient outcomes and experience.
Partner with government agencies and international organizations to advocate for the integration of telemedicine into national healthcare systems, creating systemic change and improving health equity.
The above goals will be achieved through the following:
Continue to expand our telemedicine platform and develop new features to enhance the patient experience and increase access to healthcare.
Invest in training and education programs for nurses, healthcare providers, and patients to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to use telemedicine effectively.
Collaborate with healthcare facilities and community organizations to raise awareness of telemedicine and its benefits in underserved communities.
Conduct an extensive digital and non-digital marketing campaign. While the digital marketing campaign will be executed in-house by our team using social media channels, SEO optimization, micro-moment video, and digital ads, the non-digital offline marketing campaign will be outsourced to a third-party PR/Advertising/Event Management firm that creates outreach using Print, TV, Radio, OOH, BTL activations, etc.
Develop partnerships with government agencies and international organizations to advocate for the integration of telemedicine into national healthcare systems.
Develop innovative funding models and partnerships with private sector organizations to ensure the sustainability of our telemedicine platform and impact.
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
How are you measuring your progress toward your impact goals?
Sehat Kahani is committed to measuring and tracking progress toward our impact goals to ensure that we are delivering effective, evidence-based interventions that are making a tangible difference in the lives of our beneficiaries. We believe that using a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators is critical to measuring the effectiveness and impact of our work.
Our impact goals are aligned with several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Below are some specific indicators that we use to measure our progress toward these goals:
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Number of consultations provided through our telemedicine platform
Number of virtual appointments for primary health services with a focus on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and mental health services for displaced communities
Number of patients who report improved health outcomes as a result of our services
Number of patients who report improved access to healthcare as a result of our services
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The proportion of female doctors and healthcare workers trained and employed through our platform
Number of virtual appointments for SRH services provided to young women and adolescent girls
Number of female beneficiaries who report improved health outcomes as a result of our services
Number of female healthcare workers who report improved job satisfaction and economic empowerment as a result of our platform
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Number of healthcare workers trained and employed through our platform
Proportion of income generated by female healthcare workers in their communities through our revenue-sharing model
Number of healthcare workers who report improved job satisfaction and income as a result of our platform
Number of patients who report improved access to affordable healthcare services as a result of our platform
In addition to these indicators, we also collect and analyze qualitative data through patient surveys, focus groups, and in-depth interviews with our beneficiaries, healthcare workers, and other stakeholders. This allows us to better understand the impact of our services on their lives and to identify areas for improvement. We also track our progress toward our revenue targets, including revenue generated through our telemedicine platform, grants, and other sources. This allows us to ensure the sustainability of our business model and to expand our reach to more underserved communities.
What is your theory of change?
At Sehat Kahani, our theory of change is based on the premise that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and that technology can be leveraged to provide quality healthcare services to marginalized communities, including refugees, women, and children. Our theory of change is grounded in the belief that increasing access to healthcare services can lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life. We believe that our solution can help address the healthcare access gap by providing remote health services to communities that are currently underserved or have limited access to healthcare services. Our solution leverages technology to connect underutilized female doctors and community-based health workers with patients who need their services and to provide access to virtual consultations, referrals, and medical advice.
Our activities are designed to facilitate the provision of high-quality, affordable healthcare services to our target populations. These activities include:
Identifying and training female doctors and community-based health workers: We believe that female doctors and community-based health workers are essential to the provision of healthcare services in underserved communities. We identify and train female doctors and community-based health workers, who are then able to provide remote healthcare services to patients through our telemedicine platform.
Building an accessible telemedicine platform: We have built a telemedicine platform that allows patients to access healthcare services remotely, through a phone call or video call. The platform is designed to be accessible and user-friendly, even for individuals who may not be tech-savvy.
Ensuring quality healthcare services: We are committed to ensuring that the healthcare services provided through our platform are of high quality. We have implemented rigorous quality control measures, such as training and monitoring of doctors and health workers, to ensure that our services meet the highest standards of care.
Our theory of change assumes that our activities will lead to immediate outputs, including increased access to healthcare services, increased utilization of healthcare services, and increased knowledge about healthcare. These outputs are expected to lead to longer-term outcomes, such as improved health outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and improved quality of life for our target populations. To measure the impact of our activities and test our theory of change, we use a range of indicators. These include the number of patients served through our telemedicine platform, the number of consultations provided, the number of referrals made, and the quality of the services provided. We also track health outcomes, such as changes in health status and healthcare utilization rates, and conduct regular evaluations to assess the effectiveness of our solution. By offering a secure telehealth-accompaniment model we will be able to connect these access failures at the grassroots level, and improve sensitization and awareness of healthcare needs while improving the affordability and quality of health services across Pakistan.
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
The core technology that powers Sehat Kahani is a telemedicine platform that allows for remote consultations between patients and doctors. Sehat Kahani's platform is hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS) and utilizes HIPPA compliance cloud computing technology to store and manage data securely. The platform uses a web-based application that is accessible via a computer or mobile device with an internet connection. Patients can access the platform from the comfort of their homes or in community health centers, and connect with a network of qualified and trained female doctors and community health workers. The telemedicine platform allows for real-time video consultations between patients and doctors, enabling doctors to remotely diagnose and treat patients. The platform also incorporates an electronic medical record system, which stores patient information securely and allows for efficient data management. Our technological features include `but are not limited to (a) Audio/Video Calling between Patient and Physician, (b) Built-in Chat messaging between Patient and Physician, (c) Consult physicians via instant consultation and appointment booking, (d) Centralized Electronic Medical Record System, (e) In-App health messaging, (f) Self-assessment Chatbot Service, (g) Sign Up via email and social logins and (h) OTP login via email and contact number.
Following are a few of our technical components of the mobile health application for the provision of telehealth services.
User Journey: The app provides Signup and log-in via email, social, and OTP methods, and the user is shown a list of available doctors as soon as logged into the app. Users can book an appointment with a doctor from the list or can start an instant consultation by clicking on the “Consult Now” button. Once requested for a consultation, a call is generated to the chosen health professional and the consultation session starts as soon as the doctor accepts the request. If the doctor is busy, or a request is missed, it is redirected/re-routed to the next available and online doctor within a minute.
Quality of chat session during the session: Once the consultation session starts, a chat session between the doctor and the patient is created where they can share chat messages along with any reports shared in the form of images or PDF files. A doctor can view previous consultation history, and the patient’s medical history during the chat session.
Chat messages and Notifications - Technical Details: PubNub and Firebase are used on Web and Android platforms for sending chat messages and notifications; whereas APNS (Apple Push Notification Service) is used for the iOS version of the app.
Voice and Video Call: If the doctor or patient feels the case can be discussed over an audio or video call, any party can start an audio/video session. OpenTok (Vonage) is used for audio/Video calls across all platforms. By default, Vonage uses 90 kbps of bandwidth during a call which is sufficient for most calls.
Software Third Party Services Standardization: MS Azure Database for MySql is used to store the data. Vonage (previously OpenTok) is used to integrate Audio Video calling into the application. It allows end-to-end client-side encryption to make communication secure and robust. PubNub SDK is integrated into the app to enable chat messaging and push notifications. PubNub allows integration of its features through secure messaging channels so each user has separate dedicated channels saved for communication.
System Security & Server Standardization: Sehat Kahani's expertise in telehealth technology also extends to other technical standards and requirements, such as data security and privacy, bandwidth requirements, and hardware and software compatibility. Applications deployed in MS Azure Cloud are Dockerized apps to make the services secure for communications. The backend APIs, frontend servers, and databases are hosted in MS Azure Cloud with multi-level security checks applied. Azure Cloud secures data by applying at-rest and end-to-end encryption using HMAC-SHA1 as well. The audio and video calls are encrypted using the AES cipher algorithm(128-bit) on Vonage. Developers’ access to services and data is controlled through secure VPN and IP restriction.
Regarding bandwidth requirements, Sehat Kahani's platform has been designed to be low-bandwidth, making it suitable for use in low-resource settings where internet connectivity may be limited. The platform is also designed to be compatible with a wide range of hardware and software platforms, including mobile devices, desktop computers, and a variety of operating systems.
In addition, the artificial intelligence component of the platform helps in the diagnosis of patients and enables healthcare providers to provide tailored advice to their patients. The platform's AI system helps in identifying the patient's symptoms, and then the platform recommends potential conditions that could be causing the symptoms. The platform utilizes machine learning algorithms to provide personalized health recommendations to patients based on their health history, symptoms, and other relevant data. The platform also incorporates SMS technology for appointment reminders, which improves service utilization and helps to reduce the number of missed appointments. Additionally, the platform has a 24/7 helpline service, which provides patients with access to medical advice and support outside of regular clinic hours. The Sehat Kahani telemedicine platform is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and affordable, with a focus on providing high-quality healthcare to underserved communities. The platform is powered by a team of trained female doctors and community health workers, who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide quality healthcare services remotely.
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
If your solution has a website or an app, provide the links here:
https://sehatkahani.com/ https://apps.apple.com/pk/app/sehat-kahani-retail/id1470938140 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sehatkahani.app&hl=en&gl=US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SehatKahaniOfficial/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SehatKahani Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sehatkahani/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqxJaThcB_oHMMVaiBnz9rQ Linkedin: https://pk.linkedin.com/company/sehat-kahani
In which countries do you currently operate?
In which countries will you be operating within the next year?
What type of organization is your solution team?
For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
How many people work on your solution team?
120
How long have you been working on your solution?
6
What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work?
To ensure that we incorporate the perspective of our target population and encourage women leadership; women occupy roles in every level of Sehat Kahani resulting in 90% of senior leadership and 75% of the core team comprising women. While designing or expanding the scope of our implementation design, we assure that women providers, patients, and advocates participate in the design and implementation of telemedicine tools. We also aspire to utilize new data-gathering tools and assure gender parity in the collection. We realize that when girls and women have better access to information, they also have better health outcomes. Through extensive advocacy and awareness building in the community, we are creating early adopters for telemedicine innovation and empowering women to realize their right to access physical and mental health services. On the other hand, we are collaborating with women experts in technology and healthcare to design, implement, and lead programs and services that best meet the needs of our end users. We are actively creating training programs that address the problem of unconscious gender bias for healthcare providers and its consequences. We are also conducting research focused on women’s health outcomes and raising awareness of the gap. While creating partnership linkages, we ensure that we are working with companies, and academic and intergovernmental institutions that use their resources and influence to accelerate women’s leadership and participation in health tech. By creating the right ecosystem, networks, and incentives, we can begin to unpick the entrenched biases which have created the inequities, and start to close the gaps in health access for women around the world. When we implement telemedicine services in the targeted communities we conduct pilot testing and focused group discussions to gather evidence. Direct communication with our potential beneficiaries enables us to identify pain points and breakdowns in the telehealth video visit experience for patients, providers, and staff. We also learn about patient, provider, and staff perceptions of telehealth, including what makes users more or less likely to continue using telehealth. Collaborating with community partners and women influencers in the communities helps us to identify the barriers they face in accessing telemedicine services within their vicinity. Using insights from this feedback helps us to design and implement improvements in telehealth visits. We generate customer reports that comprise end-user requirements and formal assessments across technical, clinical, usability, and cost domains of all vertices of our solution. We periodically conduct user validation for our human health resources by engaging them in ongoing feedback sessions regarding any modification of our technological solution to improve its interface or effectiveness. We also conduct in-depth interviews to understand any challenges they might face while using our solution. Having diverse teams - in terms of gender, ethnicity, training, and background will in turn improve the impartiality of the data upon which care decisions are based resulting in increased uptake of our services by our end-users thereby contributing to the success of achieving the desired vision of our organization.
Solution Team
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Our Organization
Community Innovation Hub