Illustration of an ASHA worker using mHealth technology to provide healthcare in a tribal village.

Empowering Mothers and Saving Babies: How Mobile Health is Revolutionizing Healthcare in Tribal India

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover how innovative mHealth programs are boosting the skills of frontline health workers, leading to significant improvements in maternal and child health outcomes in remote areas of Gujarat."

In the heart of rural India, where access to healthcare is often a significant challenge, a quiet revolution is underway. It's a revolution driven by mobile technology, specifically mHealth, which is transforming the way healthcare is delivered to mothers and newborns. This innovative approach is not just about providing information; it's about empowering the very people on the ground – the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) – with the knowledge and skills they need to make a real difference.

India faces persistent challenges in maternal and child health, including high maternal mortality rates and infant mortality rates. Recognizing the critical role of ASHAs, the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has enlisted them to provide essential healthcare services in villages. However, the need for ongoing capacity building and training for these health workers remains a significant challenge. This is where mHealth steps in, offering a promising solution to bridge the gap and improve healthcare outcomes.

This article delves into a study conducted in Gujarat, India, that explores the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention called ImTeCHO (Innovative Mobile Health Technology for Community Health Operations). The study's findings highlight the potential of mHealth in improving the knowledge and skills of ASHAs, ultimately leading to better maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) care in the tribal areas of the region.

The ImTeCHO Intervention: Enhancing ASHA Skills for Improved MNCH Care

Illustration of an ASHA worker using mHealth technology to provide healthcare in a tribal village.

The ImTeCHO intervention is a prime example of how technology can be strategically used to strengthen healthcare systems. This mHealth program equips ASHAs with mobile phone applications that contain health education videos, diagnostic algorithms for identifying complications, and training tools. This comprehensive approach provides ASHAs with readily accessible information and support, empowering them to deliver better care.

The ImTeCHO intervention was implemented through a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) in the tribal areas of Gujarat. ASHAs in the intervention arm received the mHealth application and training, while those in the control arm continued with standard training methods. The study assessed the knowledge and skills of ASHAs regarding key aspects of MNCH care after six months of training, with the goal of understanding how ImTeCHO could enhance their capabilities.

Knowledge Enhancement: ASHAs in the intervention group showed significantly higher knowledge of pregnancy and newborn complications compared to the control group.
Skill Improvement: The intervention group demonstrated improved skills in measuring newborn temperature, a critical skill for identifying potential health issues.
Comprehensive Training: The mHealth program includes modules on various aspects of MNCH care, such as antenatal care, newborn care, and exclusive breastfeeding, providing a holistic approach to skill development.

The results of the study underscore the potential benefits of the ImTeCHO intervention. ASHAs equipped with the mHealth application demonstrated improved knowledge and skills, leading to better identification and management of maternal and newborn health issues. This is particularly crucial in tribal areas where access to specialized healthcare facilities may be limited.

The Future of mHealth in Tribal Healthcare

The success of the ImTeCHO intervention highlights the transformative potential of mHealth in improving healthcare delivery. By leveraging mobile technology, we can empower frontline health workers with the knowledge and skills they need to provide better care to mothers and newborns, especially in areas where healthcare access is a challenge. As mobile technology continues to evolve, mHealth interventions are poised to play an increasingly vital role in creating a healthier future for communities in tribal India and beyond.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/apa.14322, Alternate LINK

Title: The Role Of An Mhealth Intervention In Improving Knowledge And Skills Of Accredited Social Health Activists In Tribal Areas Of Gujarat, India: A Nested Study Within An Implementation Research Trial

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Acta Paediatrica

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: Shobha Shah, Aakash Shinde, Ankit Anand, Dhiren Modi, Gayatri Desai, Hardik Bhatt, Ravi Gopalan, Nishith Dholakia, Prakash Vaghela, Shrey Desai, Pankaj Shah

Published: 2018-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is mHealth, and how is it being used to improve healthcare in tribal India?

mHealth refers to the utilization of mobile technology to enhance healthcare delivery. In tribal India, mHealth initiatives, such as the ImTeCHO program, are providing frontline health workers, specifically ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists), with the tools and knowledge necessary to improve maternal and child health outcomes. This includes using mobile phone applications for health education, diagnostic support, and training.

What are Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), and why are they important for healthcare in rural India?

ASHAs are frontline health workers enlisted by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to provide essential healthcare services in villages. They play a crucial role in bridging the gap in healthcare access, especially in rural and tribal areas. ASHAs are particularly important because they provide services like antenatal care, newborn care, and health education directly within communities where access to hospitals and doctors is limited. mHealth programs like ImTeCHO can enhance their effectiveness by providing them with ongoing training and support.

How does the ImTeCHO intervention work to improve the skills and knowledge of ASHAs?

The ImTeCHO intervention utilizes mobile phone applications to provide ASHAs with health education videos, diagnostic algorithms, and training tools. It was implemented as a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Gujarat. ASHAs in the intervention group received the mHealth application and training, while those in the control group continued with standard training methods. The program is designed to enhance ASHAs' knowledge of pregnancy and newborn complications, as well as improve their skills in areas like measuring newborn temperature. This comprehensive approach empowers them to deliver better maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) care.

What were the key findings of the study evaluating the ImTeCHO intervention in Gujarat, India?

The study demonstrated that ASHAs in the intervention group, who received the ImTeCHO mHealth application and training, showed significantly higher knowledge of pregnancy and newborn complications compared to the control group. They also exhibited improved skills in measuring newborn temperature, a critical skill for identifying potential health issues. These findings underscore the potential of mHealth interventions like ImTeCHO to enhance the capabilities of frontline health workers and improve MNCH care in tribal areas.

What is the broader implication of mHealth interventions like ImTeCHO for healthcare in developing countries, and what are some potential future directions?

mHealth interventions like ImTeCHO offer a scalable and cost-effective approach to improving healthcare access and quality in resource-constrained settings. By empowering frontline health workers with mobile technology, these interventions can address critical gaps in knowledge and skills, leading to better maternal and child health outcomes. Future directions could include integrating mHealth with other digital health tools, expanding the scope of training modules to cover additional health topics, and leveraging data analytics to personalize and optimize the delivery of healthcare services.