The Challenge

The National Health Mission (NHM) is the Government of India’s flagship programme for providing effective healthcare to the rural population, aiming to raise public health spending to 2-3% of GDP. IPE Global, through the WeCan (We Collaborate for Nutrition) project supported by USAID, was extending technical support to NHM Jharkhand to strengthen nutrition outcomes within the RMNCH+A (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health + Adolescent) framework.

The Health Management Information System (HMIS) serves as the primary data source for the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, facilitating the flow of performance statistics from district to state to national levels. However, several critical challenges hampered the effective use of this data:

• Manual, Ad-hoc Analysis: HMIS data analysis was done manually by data cells, district data managers, and block program managers on an as-needed basis, making the process time-consuming and inconsistent
• Skill Gaps: Not all districts had the requisite skills to analyze data and present information in a structured manner to state and district officials
• Delayed Reporting: Quarterly or six-monthly analytical reports from different cells (data cell, maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning) suffered delays, hampering timely decision-making
• Fragmented Data Sources: Nutrition-related data was scattered across HMIS, Anemia Mukt Bharat dashboard, Aspirational District dashboards, and other MIS systems like e-Aushadhi, Malnutrition Treatment Center MIS, and Special Newborn Care Unit MIS

The state needed a centralized, web-based dashboard that could transform raw HMIS data into actionable intelligence for programmatic decision-making at state, district, and block levels.

Velocity’s Solution

Scope of Work

Velocity developed and deployed a comprehensive web-based HMIS Dashboard for monitoring nutrition performance under RMNCH+A across all 24 districts of Jharkhand, with provisions for multi-state scalability.

Key Features & Deliverables

• Web-based HMIS Dashboard: Online IT-enabled dashboard integrating Health Management Information System data with survey data (NFHS, RSCO, SRS) for comprehensive nutrition performance monitoring

• Geographical Visualization: Interactive maps showing district and block-level performance with geographical presentation of health indicators
• Graphical Analytics: Visual charts, graphs, and infographics presenting maternal health, child health, and adolescent health nutrition indicators

• Performance Benchmarking: Automated identification of better-performing and poor-performing districts and blocks for prioritizing interventions
• Custom Report Generation: Capability to generate monthly, quarterly, and cumulative factsheets, coverage reports, and visual presentations customized to state and district user needs

• Multi-level Access Control: State and district user IDs with administrative access for state-level officials
• Mobile-responsive Viewer: Mobile-based dashboard viewer for field-level access across all 24 districts

• Integration Capability: Functional options to link other online MIS system data including e-Aushadhi, Malnutrition Treatment Center MIS, and Special Newborn Care Unit MIS
• Multi-state Scalability: Prototype designed with capability to be linked to HMIS datasets of other states

• NHM Portal Integration: Built for eventual integration with the NHM Jharkhand portal

Technology Stack

• Frontend: Responsive web application with mobile-compatible viewer
• Backend: Server-side architecture with data processing and analytics engine
• Data Sources: HMIS, NFHS, RSCO, SRS, and other government health data systems
• Visualization: Interactive maps, charts, infographics, and automated report generation
• Hosting: Agency-hosted during development, designed for migration to NHM Jharkhand infrastructure

Implementation Approach

The project was executed in a phased manner aligned with NHM requirements:

1. Ideation & Data Flow Design (January 2019): Close consultation with NHM Jharkhand and IPE Global to define data flows, indicator selection, and dashboard architecture
2. Prototype Development (February 2019): Development of HMIS Dashboard prototype showing analysis of major health indicators within Maternal Health, Child Health, and Adolescent Health programs
3. Full Dashboard Operationalization (March-May 2019): Deployment of the complete IT-enabled online dashboard with factsheet generation, performance identification, and multi-level user access
4. Training & Orientation (May 2019): One-day orientation for state-level and district program management unit staff
5. Mobile Deployment (May 2019): Launch of mobile-based viewer operational across all 24 districts
6. NHM Migration (October-November 2019): Transfer of the web portal to NHM Jharkhand with capacity building of the NHM data cell for ongoing maintenance
7. Ongoing Technical Support (Through December 2019): Continued support for operationalizing the dashboard including district visits for technical and operational issues (maximum 4 visits per quarter)

A dedicated team with NHM and HMIS domain expertise was deployed at the state level in Ranchi for day-to-day dashboard operations and stakeholder coordination.

Key Outcomes & Impact

• Institutionalized the availability of analyzed nutrition data through a centralized web-based portal, transforming ad-hoc analysis into systematic performance monitoring
• Enabled state, district, and block-level officials to access real-time performance metrics for evidence-based decision-making
• Simplified workflow for NHM by providing automated maps, reports, infographics, and strategic presentations for monthly review meetings
• Facilitated identification of high-performing and underperforming districts/blocks, enabling targeted intervention prioritization
• Built a scalable prototype with multi-state applicability, positioning the solution for potential national-level adoption
• Successfully transferred the portal to NHM Jharkhand with trained government staff capable of independent operations

Why Velocity

• Health Domain Understanding: Deep familiarity with NHM, HMIS, and RMNCH+A frameworks essential for accurate indicator selection and data interpretation
• Government System Integration: Experience working with government health data systems and understanding their data structures and access protocols
• Rapid Prototyping Capability: Ability to deliver a working prototype within weeks and iterate based on government stakeholder feedback
• Field-level Support: Commitment to providing on-ground technical support with district visits for resolving operational issues
• Scalable Design Philosophy: Architecture designed from the outset for multi-state scalability, demonstrating forward-thinking solution design