Tarakeshwar Rao
Vice President, Digital Solutions & Innovation
In the sun-kissed landscapes of Haryana, where golden fields stretched as far as the eye could see, the role of Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) was pivotal. These dedicated healthcare warriors weren’t confined to a single village; their responsibilities extended across multiple communities.
Juggling the healthcare needs of more than one village was a feat. ANMs would traverse these distances tirelessly, armed not just with compassion but also with an armful of cumbersome registers, each holding crucial data indicators. On an average day, they’d carry a staggering 12 to 15 separate registers, each one a repository of vital information that was essential for effective healthcare management.
Imagine the weight of these registers, each page a story of someone’s health journey. For ANMs, managing this plethora of paperwork was a daily struggle. Recording data accurately while on the move between villages was a challenge, and the risk of errors loomed over their shoulders like a constant shadow.
Soon with the support of the State Government and GoI, Dhanush came as a Technical & Operational Partner with ANMOL (ANM Online) tool, a digital marvel that redefined their workflow and alleviated their burdens. ANMOL wasn’t just a tool; it was a lifeline for these dedicated healthcare professionals.
Cognizant of this, we included in the pilot an initial 30-day sprint to ensure that every step was tested with the ANMs, giving the team the ability to see what worked and what didn’t. As a result, we were able to identify relevant knowledge gaps and areas of capacity-building, resolve technical challenges, and address the doctors’ areas of concern. This initial sprint helped not only resolve initial hurdles but also to install mechanisms that would help overcome potential hurdles during implementation.
Behavior changes are crucial for the success of digitization initiatives. Front-Line Workers often have questions like:
During the pilot phase, there were no tangible incentives for ANMs to use digitization. Few ANMs were aware of the program, and there was limited access to technology, communication, and awareness materials.
To address these challenges, Dhanush and partners engaged with ANMs and Block Level to increase awareness and participation in ANMOL. Strategies included:
Additionally, ANMOL champions were identified—ANMs celebrated as front-runners for a State-level digital health initiative. They regularly updated information, generating ABHA-linked electronic health records. These champions were recognized with a certificate from the State and exemplified as role models in outreach activities.
Imagine the scene: ANMs, armed with tablets, would visit households, clinics, and health camps, capturing every detail effortlessly. The tablet became their tool of empowerment, ensuring that no data point was left unrecorded or lost in the shuffle of paperwork. ANMOL centralized data management, transforming the chaos of multiple registers into a harmonious digital platform.
ANMs bid farewell to the weight of paperwork, as all the data they needed now resided within the sleek confines of a digital interface. It allowed seamless transitions between villages, carrying data effortlessly from one community to another. They no longer needed to lug around heavy registers; everything they required was neatly stored in their handheld devices.
ANMOL streamlined the recording process, offering a digital sanctuary for data entry on the go. Accuracy improved, errors diminished, and ANMs found themselves empowered by a tool that simplified their tasks while enhancing the quality of care they could provide.
ANMOL’s digital prowess significantly mitigated the risks associated with manual data entry. It also proved to be a Job AID tool with OnDemand Workplan, Immunization schedule, and digital registries, integrated with AADHAR and offline Sync it empowered ANMs with required data for meetings and plannings.
With ANMOL by their side, ANMs in Haryana no longer carried the weight of paperwork; instead, they carried the promise of efficient healthcare delivery. It wasn’t just about digitizing data; it was about transforming the way they cared for their communities, allowing them to focus on what truly mattered - the health and well-being of the people they served.
With more than 5000 ANMs using the application, ANMOL went through phenomenal changes. Maintaining an active feedback loop was an essential component in the design of this pilot, and it has already resulted in early learnings. For many ANMs in the first pilot of ANMOL were new and unfamiliar. The pilot and further implementation were key in improving the usability of the MOHFW-compliant ANM Tool through real-world feedback.
Implementing ANMOL revealed the power of digital tools in streamlining healthcare tasks and ensuring accurate data for decision-making. To improve further, enhancing the user interface and providing continuous training was evolved to empower ANMs of varying technical abilities. Further, integrating systems like AADHAR and State systems for seamless data sharing and customization for regional needs were used to optimize ANMOL's impact.
Majorly establishing a feedback loop from ANMs to refine the tool based on real experiences, fostering continuous improvements in healthcare delivery was key to the successful journey of 5 Years.
Dhanush Health Wellness solution has the features for creating the Electronic Health Record, Tele Consultation, Integration with Drug Vending Machine, NCD Screening and Outreach camps
Dhanush Health Wellness solution has the features for creating the
