How We Deploy Proactive Doorstep Care
We deploy Proactive Doorstep Care (PDC) by combining innovative strategies and community-driven approaches to deliver equitable healthcare directly to underserved communities. The process includes:​
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Community Health Mapping:
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We identify underserved areas and assess barriers to healthcare access, such as long distances to health facilities, financial constraints, or cultural practices.
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Building a Local Workforce:
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We train and empower Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Nurses on Bikes to deliver maternal and child health services, including health education, immunizations, and basic treatments, directly to households.
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Establishing Mobile Clinics:
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We deploy mobile clinics equipped with medical supplies and staffed by skilled professionals to provide advanced care, bridging the gap between communities and health facilities.
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Strengthening Referral Systems:
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We develop robust referral pathways between CHWs, mobile clinics, and health facilities to ensure seamless transitions for patients requiring specialized care.
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Community Engagement and Ownership:
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We collaborate with community leaders, village health committees, and families to build trust, promote health-seeking behaviors, and ensure cultural alignment.
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Data-Driven Monitoring:
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We use mobile technology and regular evaluations to monitor progress, track outcomes, and adapt services based on community needs.
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Health Inequalities Necessitating Proactive Doorstep Care (PDC)
Health inequalities are a significant driver for the implementation of Proactive Doorstep Care (PDC), in addressing maternal and child health challenges. These inequalities are evident in multiple forms, affecting access to quality care, health outcomes, and overall well-being. PDC is designed to bridge these gaps and ensure equitable healthcare delivery, especially for underserved populations.
Below are the key health inequalities that necessitate PDC:
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Geographic Barriers
Inequality: Rural and remote areas often lack healthcare facilities, making it difficult for women and children to access essential services like antenatal care, immunizations, and emergency obstetric care.
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Impact: Women in rural areas are more likely to experience delays in receiving care, leading to higher rates of maternal and neonatal mortality.
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PDC Solution: By delivering services directly to households, PDC addresses physical barriers to care, ensuring that even the most isolated populations receive timely and quality health services.
Socioeconomic disparities
Inequality: Poverty significantly limits access to healthcare due to the inability to afford services, transportation, or related costs.
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Impact: Low-income families often delay or forego healthcare, resulting in preventable complications and poorer health outcomes for mothers and children.
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PDC Solution: PDC provides free care at the doorstep, reducing financial burdens and enabling equitable access for economically disadvantaged communities.
gender inequities
Inequality: Societal norms and gender-based discrimination often restrict women’s autonomy in seeking healthcare.
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Impact: Many women rely on male family members to make healthcare decisions, leading to delayed or denied access to critical maternal health services.
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PDC Solution: PDC engages directly with women and involving families in health education. It empowers women to prioritize their health and seek timely care.
health literacy gaps
Inequality: Low levels of health literacy prevent individuals from understanding the importance of maternal and child health services or recognizing warning signs during pregnancy and early childhood.
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Impact: Poor health literacy contributes to underutilization of preventive services and delays in seeking care for complications.
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PDC Solution: PDC emphasizes health education as a core component, equipping families with the knowledge they need to make informed health decisions.
disparities in quality of care
Inequality: Even when healthcare services are available, their quality often varies based on location, socioeconomic status, or marginalized status of the community.
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Impact: Women and children in underserved areas frequently receive substandard care, contributing to preventable mortality and morbidity.
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PDC Solution: PDC ensures standardized, high-quality care through well-trained Community Health Workers, Nurses on Bikes, Mobile Clinics and consistent monitoring of service delivery.
ethnic and cultural inequities
Inequality: Minority and indigenous populations often face discrimination and cultural insensitivity within the healthcare system.
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Impact: Cultural barriers discourage these groups from seeking care, further exacerbating health disparities.
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PDC Solution: PDC incorporates culturally sensitive practices and engages community leaders to build trust and acceptance within diverse populations.
limited access to emergency care
Inequality: Delays in accessing emergency obstetric and neonatal care disproportionately affect rural and low-income communities.
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Impact: Such delays are a leading cause of preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
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PDC Solution: PDC identifies high-risk cases during routine visits and facilitates timely referrals to emergency care facilities.
weak health system infrastructure
Inequality: In many districts, inadequate health infrastructure and staffing shortages result in limited service availability.
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Impact: Overburdened facilities and lack of continuity in care widen the gap in health outcomes.
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PDC Solution: PDC supplements weak health systems by providing decentralized care and reducing the demand on overburdened facilities.