At the InnoHealth Conference 2024, host Mercilina sat down with Mr. Arun Agarwal, the founder of Janitri, a Bangalore-based health tech company revolutionizing maternal and newborn care. With a focus on critical monitoring during pregnancy, labor, and the neonatal period, Janitri is working to prevent maternal and infant mortality through wearable and AI-enabled technology.

A Mission Rooted in Compassion

“Janitri is a Sanskrit word for ‘mother’,” Arun explained. “Our vision is a world where no mother or baby dies during pregnancy, labor, or the newborn phase.” The startup, now eight years into its journey, has partnered with over 600 hospitals and has already impacted the lives of more than 8,000 mothers, monitoring over 150,000 pregnancies.

Janitri focuses on the critical “first thousand days” — from conception to two years after birth — by enabling real-time monitoring of vital signs through wearable devices. These solutions are designed to assist in both hospital and home settings, ensuring that early decisions can be made based on accurate data.

The Ground Reality: Urban vs. Rural Disparities

When asked about the current state of maternal and infant health in India, Arun highlighted a pressing concern. “India sees about 3 crore births annually, but we have only around 50,000 gynecologists,” he said. This stark mismatch in resources creates a heavy reliance on frontline workers like staff nurses and ASHA workers, especially in rural regions.

Statistically, India’s maternal mortality rate stands at approximately 97 per 100,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate is around 29–30 per 1,000 live births. However, these figures vary widely across states and are notably higher in rural areas, where access to emergency interventions like C-sections is limited. “In urban areas, C-sections are often used to prevent complications. But rural settings don’t have that luxury,” Arun noted.

Bridging the Gap with Technology

To address this disparity, Arun believes technology is the most viable and scalable solution. “We cannot bridge the gap with manpower alone, but we can with tech,” he emphasized. Janitri’s wearable devices monitor vital signs during prenatal, labor, and postpartum phases and assist healthcare workers in making timely decisions.

The Indian government is also stepping in with supportive policies. Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and the integration of tech into public healthcare systems (including RCH, previously known as the Mother-Child Tracking System or MCTS) show promise. Arun expressed optimism about India’s growing focus on medtech innovation, which is being bolstered by favorable regulatory policies and investment in medical device manufacturing.

Looking Ahead

Janitri’s approach is not just about building products — it’s about building trust and empowering frontline workers with tools that enable better outcomes. Arun’s grassroots research, which included visits to over 100 hospitals and consultations with healthcare providers and families, shaped the company’s deep understanding of on-the-ground challenges.

As the conversation concluded, Arun reiterated Janitri’s core belief: “Many of these maternal and neonatal deaths are preventable. It all comes down to timely monitoring and intervention — and that’s exactly what we’re here to enable.”

Composed By

InnoHEALTH magazine digital team

Listen to the full podcast on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5waUZP09egk&t=1s

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International Women’s Day 2024 carries the powerful theme of “Inspire Inclusion,” emphasising the overarching call to action to “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress.” This theme underscores the significance of creating an inclusive society and empowering women. Amidst the celebrations, it is crucial to direct our attention to an often-neglected aspect—women’s health. As we delve into the importance of health for women, we unveil the challenges they face and the imperative for healthcare professionals to take the lead in fostering awareness and change.

The Health Imperative:

The famous Arabian proverb “He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything” resonates profoundly on International Women’s Day. Health is a fundamental aspect that transcends age, gender, and socioeconomic standards. Regrettably, despite its paramount importance, the health of women often takes a backseat in priorities.

Women and Health Disparities:

Studies consistently reveal that women encounter more health issues than men. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that in regions grappling with economic, societal, and cultural inequalities, women are more susceptible to significant health challenges. These issues not only impact their quality of life but also perpetuate a cycle of poverty and disease for women and their families.

The Role of Nurses:

Nurses, as frontline healthcare professionals, play a pivotal role in improving women’s health. By providing education, healthcare services, and raising awareness of key issues, they can contribute significantly to breaking the cycle of health disparities. It is essential for healthcare professionals to not only address existing health issues but also identify and address the root causes in the local healthcare practices.

Focus Areas in Women’s Health:

Maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality, reproductive health issues, sexually transmitted diseases, gender discrimination, lack of education, violence toward women, reproductive cancers, and restricted access to healthcare are among the common issues ailing women’s health. The prevention of reproductive cancers, particularly cervical cancer, emerges as a critical focus area due to its preventable nature.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs):

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant threat to women’s health, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes contribute to a staggering number of premature deaths. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and alcohol consumption significantly contribute to NCDs, making them modifiable risk factors.

Authors Biography

Dr. Raminder Kalra Ph.D. in Nursing from IGNOU, with 38+ years of experience, serves as the Principal at Holy Family College of Nursing. Recognized with prestigious accolades like the President’s Gold Medal and RULA Ratna Research Award 2019. She is a distinguished examiner for nursing examinations across multiple universities. Dr. Kalra has authored papers in renowned journals and contributed to the book “Postgraduate Psychiatry.”

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