Within the realm of respiratory health, challenges loom large across public and private healthcare domains, necessitating innovative solutions for improved detection and diagnosis. The statistics reveal – India, with 18% of the global population, bears 32% of the global respiratory disease burden.[1] The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified these challenges, as individuals continue to battle systemic and respiratory symptoms even after their acute infectious subsides. Amid these mounting burdens and looming threats, it is imperative to enhance mass-scale respiratory screening and diagnosis. As it stands, prevailing diagnostic methods are often cost-prohibitive, reliant on specialized expertise, or dependent on extensive laboratory resources. Bridging this gap calls for an accessible, user-friendly, and cost-effective tool capable of swift deployment on a large scale. The solution would enable the screening of individuals for underlying respiratory issues, subsequently guiding them to health centers or specialized doctors for timely diagnosis and treatment initiation.
At the heart of this transformation is Salcit Technologies’ Swaasa® AI Platform, a Software As a Medical Device (SaMD) that analyzes cough sounds and symptoms, redefining the screening/diagnosis/monitoring of respiratory conditions. This isn’t just technological progress; it’s the reimagining of triage, prioritization, screening, and monitoring. The goal is to challenge the status quo of existing processes and enable early detection and intervention to save lives.
Empowered By SAMRIDH
SAMRIDH, a blended finance facility supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global, has been a vital financial partner in this endeavor. SAMRIDH’s support has enabled the Swaasa® project to reach thousands of individuals in remote and underserved regions, significantly expanding its scale of operations.
The robust support has played a pivotal role in exploring the feasibility and efficacy of Swaasa®’s AI-driven solutions. Under SAMRIDH’s financial umbrella, the project has rigorously assessed the potential of the Swaasa® AI platform in triaging, prioritizing, and screening patients for lung health issues. This thorough examination has not only highlighted the platform’s efficacy but has also explored its commercial viability in real-world healthcare scenarios. The assessment extended beyond technical feasibility to encompass the practicality and sustainability of the Swaasa® AI platform. The collaboration with SAMRIDH has been instrumental in transforming Swaasa®’s vision into a viable healthcare solution with the potential to positively impact countless individuals’ lives.
Under SAMRIDH’s support, the Swaasa® AI platform’s feasibility, efficacy, and deployment strategies were assessed. In the first phase of this project, two centers were evaluated to assess the implementation of Swaasa® AI platform in triaging, prioritizing, and screening lung health issues, including early disease detection. This entailed comparing Pulmonary Function Test results generated by the Swaasa® application with standard spirometry test outcomes, along with gauging the platform’s feasibility and performance in diagnosing respiratory conditions at primary healthcare centers.
Salcit Technologies spearheaded the deployment strategy. Their mission was twofold: to define the value proposition for stakeholders by modeling the Swaasa® AI solution and to deploy the technology in rural, remote, and community health centers. Over nine months, from December 2022 to August 2023, the project targeted a sub-population of 168,000 individuals, with a focus on tier 2 and 3 cities, catering to both sexes equally. This strategic approach aimed to establish the solution’s utility as well as seamlessly integrate it into the existing healthcare frameworks.
Impact Beyond Numbers: Patients Screened and Growth Potential
Over 15,877 patients directly benefited from the Swaasa® AI Platform, transforming lives through the integration of cutting-edge technology. The surge in usage from June 2023 to August 2023 indicates exponential growth potential, projecting a trajectory that could extend its positive influence to up to 161,651 lives within a year. The project has demonstrated significant time and cost savings, with the potential to reduce costs and save time in respiratory disease assessments.
The Swaasa® AI Platform challenges existing methods and provides a fresh perspective on cost-effectiveness, particularly in disease detection. Real-life testimonials reflect the transformation, with referral rates for X-rays nearly tripling at the rural health centre in Simhachalam, Andhra Pradesh, demonstrating the platform’s effectiveness in unveiling missed cases and driving targeted diagnostics.
The project’s emphasis on accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity lays the foundation for a healthcare landscape where technology bridges gaps and empowers marginalized communities. As state governments pioneer deployments and validations span the globe, this project embodies not only technological promise, but also the potential for a change driven by collaboration and a shared vision of holistic well-being.
SAMRIDH’s support has been the driving force behind the Swaasa® Project’s journey towards expanding its reach and validating the feasibility and commercial viability of its groundbreaking healthcare solutions. With SAMRIDH’s assistance, the project has transcended barriers, bringing essential healthcare services to underserved populations and pioneering innovative approaches that have the potential to reshape the landscape of healthcare accessibility and affordability.
Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), a not-for profit organization, provides life-transforming counseling and care for hundreds of families affected by HIV in urban and rural villages of India.
VMM staff was trained by Salcit Technologies to use Swaasa® for screening pulmonary TB patients. Out of all the patients screened by VMM, 50% of them were assessed using Swaasa®.
Testimonials
1- Dr. Harshal, Pulmonologist, AIIMS Ballabgarh
Swaasa is an invaluable tool for triage and screening, surpassing traditional spirometry with its ease of use and diagnostic accuracy. It’s availability in multiple languages and quick and accurate results make it an indispensable tool for doctors and beneficial for marginalized communities.
2- Dr. Rani, Pulmonologist at Rural Health Center, Simhachalam, Andhra Pradesh
Swaasa has transformed respiratory assessments post-COVID. It simplifies the process through smartphones, bridging the gap left by restricted physical examinations and distinguishing between upper and lower respiratory issues. Its accuracy is impressive, earning it a solid 5 on a 1 to 5 scale for its game-changing impact on modern healthcare.
