The COVID-19 epidemic compelled the world to reinvent healthcare. However, for Entrepreneurs operating in India’s low-resource environments, the difficulty was not new; it simply became more pressing.
Savemom was recently featured by IndiaAI for accomplishing precisely that: developing agile, AI-driven, and cost-effective technologies to change maternal healthcare in India’s most underprivileged neighbourhoods. At a time when healthcare infrastructure remains uneven, particularly in rural areas, Savemom stands out as a shining example of purpose-driven innovation.
What Are Low-Resource Settings—and Why Do They Matter?
In India, three out of every four people live in locations with limited access to Hospitals, diagnostic instruments, and even basic energy and internet. These low-resource environments are where the healthcare gaps are most visible—and where new, scalable solutions are most urgently required.
As stated in the article, leaders such as Dr. Devi Shetty have long emphasised the value of frugal innovation—solutions that are both economical and effective in even the hardest situations. The COVID-19 crisis exacerbated this need, emphasising the disparity between accessible metropolitan healthcare and the reality of rural India.
Savemom: Born from Empathy, Powered by Technology
Savemom started as a personal mission. When Senthilkumar Murugesan, creator of JioVio Healthcare, saw his pregnant sister’s difficulties in finding adequate treatment near Madurai, he realised he had to act.
This moment prompted the development of Savemom, a portable, AI-powered health monitoring system for mothers in rural India. The solution consists of a wearable bracelet embedded with IoT sensors, voice warnings, and mobile connection that operates even when there is no constant internet access—a game changer for areas with intermittent connectivity.
Building for the Real India: On-Ground Innovation
Before the first version of Savemom went live, nearly a year was spent on fieldwork, prototyping, and data collection. Unlike many inventions that fail because they are not aligned with real-world situations, Savemom succeeded by integrating into the community ecosystem.
Key obstacles, such as poor internet connectivity. Solved.
Data gaps? Addressed with custom-built, offline storage that syncs to the cloud whenever connectivity is restored.
Cultural hesitancy? Voice interfaces in local languages are used, with the goal of providing an intuitive and non-intrusive user experience.
A Collaborative Vision for Rural Healthcare
Savemom’s approach matches a broader attitude held by many in India’s healthcare startup ecosystem: technology alone cannot fix the problem. It requires coordination among Engineers, Public health officials, Doctors, and members of the community.
Other firms, such as Predible Health and Yostra Labs, are taking similar approaches, focussing on radiology and diabetes screening in low-income communities. They, like Savemom, are developing resilient technologies that thrive in rural clinics, homes, and health camps, as well as in ideal lab environments.
Check out more about Savemom here!