Building a nationwide DBT system to support over 34 million mothers with timely benefits
Delivering India's largest maternity benefit program through end-to-end digitisation.
Nepal Needs Assessment Study – Transforming Nepal’s Maternal and Child Care Monitoring Systems
Research at a Glance
The Needs Assessment Study was conducted in collaboration with I-DAIR and Viewzen Labs to evaluate the existing maternal and child health (MCH) monitoring systems in Morang District, Nepal. The objective was to assess the current digital and infrastructural landscape and explore how an integrated, technology-enabled system could enhance efficiency and service delivery.
The study aligns with I-DAIR’s mission to enable global research collaborations on digital health and AI for health, particularly in underrepresented geographies. By analysing Nepal’s existing systems and identifying key challenges, the assessment provides a roadmap for developing a trusted, scalable digital health platform.
0.48/1
MN+
overall performance score for Nepal’s current MCH system, rated as Average.
MN+
Laying the foundation for a smarter, connected maternal and child healthcare system in Nepal.
The assessment revealed that while Nepal has an established health infrastructure, it remains inefficient in meeting current service delivery demands. Key issues included delayed data availability, lack of individual-level monitoring, and limited capacity-building mechanisms for healthcare workers.
Using a mixed-method approach, the study incorporated stakeholder interviews, literature review, and focus group discussions to develop a comprehensive Needs Assessment Framework. The findings indicated a strong willingness among healthcare providers to adopt a new digital system, provided they receive adequate training.
For end beneficiaries such as pregnant and lactating women, the absence of a digital communication and reminder system was identified as a major gap. Addressing these issues through a unified digital platform can improve real-time data collection, enhance decision-making, and foster proactive health-seeking behaviour among mothers.
Who can benefit from this study?
Health Ministries and Policymakers
Can use the findings to design a robust digital health ecosystem that connects service providers and beneficiaries for improved maternal and child care.
Global Health Agencies and Research Organisations
Can leverage the insights to develop scalable digital health solutions for emerging regions and promote technology-driven public health transformation.
