In June 2011, based on our previous experiences and learnings, we embarked on a plan – to build a comprehensive system catering to the city of Mumbai. A population of ~15 million people, with more than 50% living in slums make Mumbai one of the largest concentration of low income households in the world. In addition, high disease incidences due to pollution, poor sanitation and high stress-levels make Mumbai a desirable target geography. The eastern part of Western Suburbs – from Goregaon to Dahisar – was chosen as the pilot area to establish an eco-system of around 10 Health Centers. This densely packed ~10km stretch houses a low-income population of roughly ~1.5 million

Since June 2011, the model has been tested through constant review, micro-refinements and shutting 4 of 12 “units” based on learnings (“unit”: catchment of ~100,000 population). Cost-effectiveness and self-sustainability are established: 5 out of 8 operational units are cash-flow-positive; over a 100,000 patient visits have been serviced at half the market rates. Standard Operating Procedures have been designed and documented to enable scale-up.

Our basic replicable “unit of operation” is a catchment area with a population of 100,000 low income lives. Within 2 years of launch, each “unit” is expected to have a positive operating cash flow, and hence become self sustaining.

1. Meet the health needs of 0.5 million families
2. Service ~4.5 million patient visits
3. Generate ~Rs 40 crores of direct savings to our patients
4. Lead to 50% reduction in inpatient cases amongst our beneficiaries, due to the preventative measures, leading to cost-efficiency in the entire health eco-system

A successful setup at scale in Mumbai, the city with India’s largest low-income population, will provide the blueprint for similar efforts in the rest of urban India, and a basis for experimentation with a rural model as well.