The Aadya App

The Aadya Initiative introduces an innovative model to combat preventable blindness in rural regions of low-income countries, leveraging the transformative potential of our groundbreaking vision screening app. At the heart of our approach lies the integration of this app, which enables us to scale up and enhance the Aadya Initiative's impact significantly around the world.

In collaboration with Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (SCEH) in New Delhi, the Aadya Initiative was born out of the need to decentralize mass vision screening. Before the pandemic, eye camps were used to screen people in rural communities. However, during the pandemic, it became clear that this approach wasn't viable. With patients hesitant to seek medical care in cities, community visits became imperative.  While eye camps typically reach 50,000 individuals annually, implementing door-to-door screenings enables the extension of our reach by at least fivefold within that same timeframe. Screener's reliance on PEEK, a mobile-based refraction app, coupled with handwritten charts for documentation lacked efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Cultural barriers hindered male volunteers' access to households, compared to female volunteers. Furthermore, data entry errors in handwritten charts complicated patient tracking and follow-up at the surgical center. Recognizing the imperative for improvement, the Aadya Initiative emerged, centered on recruiting women from local communities as screeners, marking a pivotal step towards a sustainable solution.

In our initial phase of the Aadya Initiative, through strategic planning and logistical support, a cohort of eight women underwent intensive training over 15 days, yielding remarkable results: 2,841 people screened, 531 patients referred for treatment or surgery, 267 pairs of glasses sold to adults, and over 2,800 lives empowered. The screeners initially used a mobile-based survey, then transitioned to SurveySparrow, but we quickly realized the difficulty in scaling up the program using either of these applications.

The Aadya Initiative is currently established in 2 of the 6 surgical center areas of SCEH, and we hope to expand our efforts by integrating our new vision screening app. By recruiting and training young women from rural communities, we are scaling our impact in three villages in Saharanpur. These screeners will be able to utilize the app to conduct screenings and refer patients to SCEH’s vision and surgical centers, generating revenue through referrals and glasses sales, essential for moving toward our goal of achieving sustainability in the future.

Our progress to date has been significant, with over 1 million screened, over 137,000 referred for treatment, and over 5,000 glasses sold. Our journey continues as we strive to standardize recruitment and training processes, refine the referral process, and solidify the business model to achieve 100% sustainability by 2027. We are developing plans for program expansion, both within India and globally, in collaboration with strategic partners. This scalability and program expansion depend heavily on the development and implementation of our vision screening app.

The Aadya Initiative harnesses the power of technology to drive scalable and sustainable impact to combat preventable blindness and enhance access to eye care services in rural communities.

Our solution is an intuitive app designed for use by screeners and Aadya staff to efficiently screen and record patient data, and facilitate and track patient referrals. The app serves multiple functions crucial to our mission. Firstly, it administers the screening process and surveys to gather essential information. It operates in real time, ensuring accurate and immediate data recording. One of its key features is its ability to enhance doctor-patient follow-up, providing doctors with comprehensive data and tracking information. Notably, screeners can revisit patients who haven't followed up with doctors after their initial screening, facilitating improved patient care. The app guides screeners through a structured flow of screening questions, capturing basic patient information and eye health history. It assists in triaging patients, documenting any issues observed during a torchlight examination, and automatically referring cases requiring further assessment to a vision center. 

Additionally, the app utilizes distance vision exam results obtained through PEEK, automatically referring patients for further evaluation when necessary. While glasses for distance vision cannot be dispensed in the field, the app enables on-site dispensing of reading glasses for near vision issues. Importantly, the app functions offline to accommodate remote villages where our screeners operate. Once the screener's device regains connectivity, data is automatically uploaded to cloud storage, ensuring seamless data management. 

We are actively exploring opportunities to integrate the app with hospital or vision center EMR systems, with potential collaboration opportunities, such as with MIT, to enhance this aspect of our solution.

Aadya App Product Demo Link

Our vision screening app solution serves rural communities in low-income countries, primarily India, particularly those with limited eye care services. The target population consists of individuals living in remote areas with scarce healthcare infrastructure, limited transportation options, and constrained financial resources. These communities are underserved in various ways, facing significant barriers to accessing vision care, including long distances to healthcare facilities, high costs associated with travel and treatment, and a lack of trained healthcare professionals.

As a result, many individuals in these communities suffer from undiagnosed and untreated vision problems, which can have profound impacts on their daily lives, educational opportunities, and economic prospects. Our solution addresses these needs by providing a convenient and affordable way for community members to receive comprehensive vision screenings at their doorstep, in their own homes.

By leveraging mobile technology and trained local screeners, we bring essential eye care services to the doorstep of those who need it most, removing barriers to access and empowering individuals to take control of their eye health. Through early detection and timely referrals for treatment or corrective measures, our solution aims to improve vision outcomes, enhance educational attainment, and ultimately, contribute to the socioeconomic development of these underserved communities.

Our team is uniquely positioned to deliver the vision screening app solution through the Aadya Initiative due to our deep understanding, longstanding partnerships, and history and proximity to the communities we serve. Led by partners who have roots in these rural areas, we have firsthand knowledge of the challenges and barriers faced by residents when it comes to accessing healthcare services. Our team members come from diverse backgrounds, including healthcare professionals, community organizers, and technology experts, ensuring a multifaceted approach to solution design and delivery.

Importantly, our partners are representative of the target population in several key ways. Many of us have grown up in rural areas or have spent significant time living and working within these communities, allowing us to intimately understand their needs, cultural nuances, and socioeconomic realities. By drawing on our personal experiences and connections, we have been able to incorporate the perspectives and voices of community members into every aspect of the vision screening app's design and implementation.

At the heart of our strategy lies community engagement, a cornerstone we prioritize from project inception. We actively seek input from local stakeholders, including community leaders, healthcare providers, and residents, to ensure our solution aligns with their priorities and addresses pressing concerns.

In addition to our community-focused approach, we regularly request feedback from the screeners to understand their on-the-ground/in-the-field experience and gather information for potential program enhancements, to understand their experiences and gather feedback for potential job enhancements. Furthermore, our collaborative team, composed of CBI and SCEH members, convenes monthly to evaluate progress and troubleshoot issues, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and optimization within our project framework.

Our team has prioritized capacity-building and empowerment within the communities we work with. We have provided training and employment opportunities for local women to serve as mobile screeners, empowering them to play a central role in delivering healthcare services to their communities. By investing in local talent and leadership, we not only ensure the sustainability of our solution but also foster a sense of ownership and pride among community members.

In summary, our team's intimate knowledge of and deep connections to the target population, coupled with our commitment to community engagement and empowerment, uniquely position us to design and deliver the vision screening app solution through the Aadya Initiative. By centering the voices and experiences of the communities we serve, we are confident that our solution will be both effective and sustainable, ultimately improving access to essential healthcare services and advancing health equity in rural areas.

The vision screening app developed as part of the Aadya Initiative represents a groundbreaking advancement in delivering accessible healthcare to rural communities. Through rigorous development and testing, we have created a user-friendly and efficient prototype that enables our mobile screeners to conduct comprehensive vision screenings and easily record patient data. We plan to begin our beta phase in June 2024 when additional funding is secured.

We are applying to Solve because we recognize the invaluable opportunity it presents to further advance our vision screening app within the Aadya Initiative. While we have made significant strides in developing and implementing this innovative tool, we understand that various barriers are hindering its full potential impact. 

Specifically, we face financial constraints in scaling up our operations to reach more underserved communities effectively. Additionally, technical challenges may arise as we seek to optimize and expand the functionality of the app to accommodate diverse healthcare settings and user needs. Moreover, legal and cultural considerations must be carefully navigated to ensure compliance with regulations and to foster community acceptance and engagement. 

Lastly, we acknowledge the importance of addressing market barriers, such as limited access to resources and infrastructure in rural areas, which may impede the adoption and sustainability of our solution. By collaborating with Solve, we hope to access a network of partners who can provide the necessary financial, technical, and non-monetary support to overcome these barriers. We seek guidance and expertise to refine our business model, navigate regulatory frameworks, and foster strategic partnerships that will enable us to scale our impact and empower more rural communities with accessible vision care. Through Solve's platform, we aim to leverage collective resources and expertise to drive meaningful change, ultimately advancing our mission to combat preventable blindness and improve healthcare access for all.

The Aadya Initiative presents an innovative solution to address preventable blindness in rural regions of low-income countries, pioneering a transformative approach through its groundbreaking vision screening app. What distinguishes our solution is not just the utilization of technology but also our holistic approach, ranging from community engagement to strategic partnerships, aimed at empowering women, scaling impact and ensuring sustainability.

Central to our solution is the empowerment of local communities, especially women, who serve as frontline screeners. By recruiting and training women from rural areas, we not only address cultural barriers but also create livelihood opportunities, thereby fostering community ownership and sustainability. This approach represents a departure from conventional models reliant on external personnel, marking a shift towards community-driven solutions.

Furthermore, our emphasis on technology integration, particularly the development of a custom vision screening app, marks a significant leap forward in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and scalability. Unlike previous methods reliant on manual documentation and generic survey platforms,, our app streamlines the screening process, minimizes errors, and enables real-time data tracking, facilitating timely referrals and follow-up care.

Moreover, our strategic partnerships with organizations like Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital demonstrate a collaborative approach to addressing complex challenges. By leveraging expertise, resources, and networks, we amplify impact and catalyze broader positive change within the eye care ecosystem.

The introduction of the Aadya app could fundamentally transform the market landscape due to its unique features and capabilities. At its core, the Aadya app fills a significant gap in the market by offering a comprehensive screening app unparalleled in its efficiency and effectiveness.

One of its key strengths lies in its efficient data collection tools, enabling streamlined and accurate gathering of patient information. This not only enhances the quality of care but also optimizes healthcare workflows, saving valuable time and resources.

The Aadya app’s ability to track referrals and facilitate the triaging of care represents a significant advancement in patient management. By seamlessly monitoring referrals and prioritizing care based on urgency, it ensures timely access to appropriate healthcare services, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Furthermore, the Aadya app is uniquely designed to accommodate cultural norms, recognizing the diverse backgrounds and preferences of patients due to the ability to tailor survey questions to each region in the app will be deployed. This cultural sensitivity not only fosters greater inclusivity but also enhances patient satisfaction and engagement with healthcare services.

Looking ahead, the integration of the Aadya app into hospital Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems holds immense promise for further enhancing healthcare delivery. Seamless integration with existing infrastructure not only facilitates data sharing and interoperability but also opens up possibilities for more personalized and coordinated care.

In summary, the Aadya app has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare landscape by offering unparalleled efficiency via real-time data analysis and feedback, effectiveness, and cultural sensitivity in patient screening and management. Its innovative features and future integration goals position it as a transformative force in modern healthcare delivery.

The Aadya solution to preventable blindness in rural areas relies on an innovative vision screening app. We believe this solution will have a significant impact for several reasons:

Immediate outputs:

Increased Screening Reach: Door-to-door screenings using our app, we can screen more people in less time with consistent follow-up and follow-through.

Enhanced Efficiency: Improved accuracy and efficiency of screenings compared to current manual methods, ensuring better identification of vision problems.

Empowering Local Communities: By recruiting and training women from rural areas as screeners, we empower them to play a crucial role in healthcare delivery, while overcoming cultural barriers.

Longer-term outcomes:

Early Detection and Treatment: With more people screened and accurately diagnosed, we expect a higher number of individuals to receive early treatment for vision problems, preventing them from progressing into blindness.

Awareness: The Aadya app and initiative create more community awareness about the importance of eye health, available treatments, and how to access eye care services.

Improved Access to Eye Care: Through referrals to eye hospitals like Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, individuals identified with vision issues can access specialized care they might not have been aware of or able to reach previously.

Sustainability: By generating revenue for the hospital through referrals, glasses sales, and other revenue sources, we aim to make the initiative self-sustainable, ensuring its continued impact over time.

Community Empowerment: By involving local women as screeners and fostering community engagement, we promote empowerment and ownership of healthcare solutions within rural communities.

Our theory of change is supported by evidence from our initial pilot and subsequent program launch in Uttar Pradesh, where we screened over a million individuals. As we continue to expand our approach, we anticipate an even greater impact in the fight against preventable blindness.

The Aadya app is tailored to serve two primary groups: individuals in remote underserved areas requiring eye health services and local women undergoing training to become skilled eye health technicians. Its immediate impact on individuals can be expanded to foster long-term, sustainable visual health programs in underserved regions. Drawing on established research and validated by internal pilots, the Aadya app is poised to revolutionize eye health outreach.

A study by Justine Chang et al. published in The Lancet in March 2022, has uncovered a clear correlation between eye health interventions and progress toward UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By providing cataract surgery, screenings, and community outreach, the Aadya app contributes directly to SDGs related to poverty reduction, education, gender equality, and sustainable urban development. These services often yield indirect benefits across multiple SDGs, further amplifying their societal impact.

In the context of supplementing the successful Aadya Initiative, the Aadya app is positioned to provide invaluable insights into target populations and their outcomes. It stands ready to enhance eye care delivery in these regions, while concurrently empowering technicians. This empowerment translates into income and educational prospects within rural communities. The potential of the Aadya app to facilitate such impactful interventions underscores its capacity to revolutionize eye health services in underserved communities.

The high-level impact goals of the Aadya Initiative and the Aadya app align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to create lasting change in rural regions of low-income countries:

No Poverty (SDG 1): 
Providing employment opportunities to women from rural communities. 
Restoring sight to those who are blind or have low vision, giving people the opportunity to work, earn an income for their family or engage in education.
Increasing eye health screenings and treatment and raising the income level in rural India by expanding the Aadya program into new geographic regions.

Good Health and Wellness (SDG 3):
Reducing preventable blindness by screening individuals for vision problems and facilitating access to treatment and corrective measures.
Ensuring ongoing access to eye care for all previously screened and new Aadya communities. 

Gender Equality (SDG 5): 
Empowering women by recruiting and training them as mobile screeners, thereby promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
Expanding our workforce of women to serve their own communities and create opportunities for career advancement.

Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): 
Through a sustainable model, creating decent work opportunities for women while contributing to economic growth in rural areas.
Demonstrating economic improvements for Aadya families and within screened Aadya communities.

Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): 
Reducing inequalities in healthcare access and outcomes by providing access to eye care services in underserved rural communities.
Bringing eye care to rural communities who lack basic access to care and increases women’s quality of life and cultural standing within their community.

Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): 
Fostering partnerships with healthcare systems and organizations to enhance our impact, reach, and scale.
Expanding and replicating the Aadya Initiative and providing innovative solutions to alleviating blindness and elevating individuals, particularly women, within marginalized communities.

To measure progress towards these impact goals, we track several key indicators:

Reduction in Poverty in our service areas: 
Increased average income of women in rural areas. 
Increased household income of Aadya screeners.
Increased household income of treated patients.

Quality Education: 
Number of Aadya technicians recruited and trained. 
Number of children returning to school following treatment.

Decent Work and Economic Growth: 
Above average wage level of Aadya technicians.
Number of technicians deployed using the app.
Patients returning to work after treatment.

Population Screened: 
Number of individuals screened for vision problems in targeted villages and catchment areas.

Patients Referred: 
Number of individuals referred for treatment or surgery based on screening results.

Glasses Sold: 
Number of glasses sold to adults in need of corrective measures.
Lives Empowered: Assessing the overall impact on individuals' lives through improved vision and access to eye care services.

With the development, beta testing and implementation of the Aadya app, our goals include refining the referral model for accuracy, testing and confirming the business model for revenue generation, and developing expansion plans in collaboration with strategic partners. By continuously monitoring progress and adapting our approach based on results, we aim to achieve sustainable impact and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

The core technology powering the Aadya Initiative is a groundbreaking vision screening app, which leverages the transformative potential of mobile technology to combat preventable blindness in rural regions of low-income countries. This app serves as a comprehensive tool for screening individuals for vision problems, facilitating referrals for treatment or surgery, and tracking patient outcomes.

Key features of the vision screening app include:

Mobile-based Survey: The app allows trained mobile screeners to conduct comprehensive vision screenings using their smartphones or tablets. This includes assessing visual acuity, identifying refractive errors, and detecting other common eye conditions.

Referral System: Upon identifying individuals with vision problems, the app facilitates seamless referrals to partner eye hospitals like Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (SCEH) for further evaluation and treatment. This ensures that individuals receive timely and appropriate care.

Data Management: The app includes robust data management capabilities, allowing screeners to securely record screening results, referrals, and other relevant information. This data can be accessed in real-time by project coordinators and healthcare professionals, enabling efficient tracking of patient outreach.

By harnessing the power of mobile technology, the vision screening app overcomes logistical challenges associated with traditional eye camps and enables the Aadya Initiative to scale up its impact significantly. Moreover, the app enhances efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility, thereby improving the effectiveness of vision screening efforts in rural communities.

In addition to the vision screening app, the Aadya Initiative leverages partnerships with strategic stakeholders to enhance its impact and reach. This combination of innovative technology and collaborative partnerships underscores the Aadya Initiative's commitment to driving positive change and improving access to eye care services for underserved populations.

In 2024, our solution team consists of:

4 full-time staff (CBI) 6 full-time staff (SCEH) and 1 contractor (CBI) or other worker. 83 part-time staff/vision screeners (CBI/SCEH), 4 other workers/volunteers. (CBI).

We have been working on the Aadya Initiative since March 2021 and development of the Aadya App since November 2023.

At our organization, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are fundamental pillars of our culture and operations. We believe in fostering an environment where every team member feels respected, valued, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is articulated in our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy, which is integrated into our employee handbook and bylaws. This policy reflects our dedication to embracing and celebrating differences across various dimensions, including age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics.

To ensure that our team reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, we have implemented diversity initiatives across all aspects of our organization. This includes our recruitment and selection processes, compensation and benefits policies, professional development and training programs, and promotions and terminations procedures. We strive to create equitable environments that address disparities and eliminate systemic barriers that hinder the full participation of marginalized groups.

In addition to these initiatives, we prioritize respectful communication and cooperation among all employees, fostering teamwork and active participation from diverse perspectives. We also support work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate the varying needs of our team members.

Furthermore, we encourage both employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve, promoting a greater understanding of and respect for diversity. We believe that by actively engaging with and supporting our communities, we can create positive change and foster inclusive environments beyond our organization's walls.

We hold all members of our organization, including board members, staff, and volunteers, accountable for upholding our diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Any conduct that violates our diversity policy and initiatives is taken seriously, and individuals are encouraged to seek assistance if they believe they have been subjected to discrimination or inappropriate behavior.

Ultimately, our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every team member feels valued, respected, and supported in their professional and personal growth. We recognize that diversity is not only a strength but also an essential component of our success as an organization committed to making a positive impact in the world.

The development of the Aadya app stems from our imperative to establish a sustainable model within the Aadya Initiative. The pivotal role of technology in achieving this goal became evident early on during our pilot phase of the initial Aadya Initiative rollout.

Drawing insights from both secondary research (Chang et. al. 2022, Sil. A. 2006) and our pilot program, we identified a substantial demand for eye health services in rural communities. Our innovative approach not only meets this demand but also addresses the pressing need for increased employment opportunities for young women in these areas.

Outlined below is the Social Business Model Canvas, meticulously crafted to elucidate each fundamental aspect of the Aadya Initiative. This comprehensive framework encapsulates our strategy regarding the Market, Implementation, Finance, and Social Value Proposition. We provide two versions of the Social Business Value Canvas for your perusal: one in a visual format and the other detailing each component for a thorough examination.

Our strategy for achieving financial sustainability centers on diversifying revenue streams and forging enduring partnerships with diverse stakeholders. Recognizing the pivotal role of consistent income in advancing our mission and ensuring the continuity of our impactful work, we have devised a robust plan.

At the core of our financial strategy is the concept of leveraging multiple funding sources, including sustained donations, grants, and program revenue. Initially, the plan is for CBI to fund the training and the app. Eventually, this will become the Aadya Initiative package that can be replicated in other health systems, for a small fee.

In addition, we have set goals for the Aadya Initiative program at each of the SCEH surgical centers/catchment area sites to be self-sustaining within 3 years To support the training and implementation of the Aadya app, we envision the Comprehensive Eye Care Health (CEH) centers to fund the program. This comprehensive package, encompassing both training and app utilization, can be replicated in other health systems for a nominal fee. Furthermore, the salaries of Aadya Screeners will be underwritten by strategic partners, bolstering financial sustainability. CBI will fund initially with the ultimate goal that the program becomes sustainable within the hospital system.

A primary tactic involves cultivating relationships with individual donors and institutional funders who share our vision and are dedicated to our cause. We have already secured a major donor that is committed to funding the work of the Aadya Initiative. Through targeted fundraising initiatives and donor engagement endeavors, we aim to secure sustained donations that serve as a dependable income source for our initiatives.

Additionally, we actively pursue grants from governmental agencies, foundations, and other grant-making bodies to expand our reach and address pressing community needs. Past successes in securing grants from reputable funders, such as The Allergan Foundation (now Abbvie Foundation), The Jack DeLoss Taylor Foundation, and the Madison Community Foundation, have significantly contributed to our financial stability.

We are actively exploring various revenue-generating opportunities that align with our mission. These include offering training workshops and consulting services, as well as selling glasses and receiving referral reimbursement fees from the Indian government. By diversifying our income streams in this manner, we aim to reduce reliance on external funding sources and bolster our financial resilience. Additionally, we remain open to exploring other potential revenue sources to further support our initiatives.

Looking forward, we have set ambitious goals for each Aadya Initiative program at the SCEH surgical centers to become self-sustaining within three years. By adhering to this proactive and diversified financial approach, we are confident in our ability to achieve long-term stability while continuing to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.