Last Mile Healthcare Through Micro-entrepreneurs

Abstract

Rapid unplanned urbanization and unhealthy lifestyle habits are contributing to a significant increase in non-communicable diseases (NCD). As per WHO [1], almost three quarters of NCD deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. This problem is compounded due to lack of awareness and accessibility to affordable healthcare.In such countries, with physical infrastructure lagging and access to primary healthcare itself a challenge, a shift from treating illness to promoting and maintaining wellness through health enablers like outreach healthcare providers is emerging as a viable alternative. While the community health worker (CHW) model has shown to influence better health outcomes in rural areas, generating adequate financial incentives for CHWs to sustain the program is a challenge. In this paper, we explore the architecture of a digital system that can address the demand for quality primary healthcare by creating a new channel of technology-enabled healthcare micro-entrepreneurs who will act as the last mile connect between the hospitals and the citizens. We present the pilot results conducted with 45 health navigators at Channapatna, India.