Healthnovo
In Palghar district, Maharashtra, home to nearly 3 million people of whom over 37% belong to Scheduled Tribes, access to timely healthcare has long been shaped by geography. Long distances from health facilities mean that, especially for women and children, routine health check-ups are out of reach.
A district-led initiative by Healthnovo is now changing that. Over the last 12-15 months, Healthnovo's portable NovoATMs have been deployed across tribal schools and community camps in Palghar, which enable on-the-spot health screening and digital record creation for some of the district's most underserved populations.
The Minds Behind NovoATM
The initiative is being implemented by Healthnovo Digilife Pvt. Ltd. in collaboration with Palghar Zilla Parishad and Bhaktivedanta Hospital, and is fully embedded within the public health system.
Approximately 10 portable NovoATM units are currently operational in the district, operated by Zilla Parishad staff under supervision from medical officers. These kiosks can perform 65+ diagnostic parameters, including vital signs, anthropometric measures like BMI calculations, blood sugar, haemoglobin, cholesterol, and uric acid within 5-10 minutes per person.
In just over a year, the program has successfully conducted 4,000+ screenings, reaching tribal school children, women, and adults through school visits and village-level health camps. Importantly, Healthnovo's NovoATM eliminates the need for long-distance travel to Primary or Community Health Centres as it is portable.
What the Data Revealed: A Silent Health Burden
Analysis of 3,000+ digitised health records from the program has revealed a significant burden of undiagnosed conditions, many of which would likely have gone unnoticed without proactive screening.
These findings show that non-communicable diseases and nutritional deficiencies are already present at scale.
The Impact of NovoATM on Palghar's Tribal Populations
One of the most significant impacts of the NovoATM has been among tribal school children aged 7-16 years. Screenings identified widespread issues related to low haemoglobin, low BMI, and poor muscle mass - conditions that affect cognitive development, immunity, and long-term health.
Plans are also underway to introduce digital health cards for children, aligned with Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) guidelines. This means that continuous health records can be created for those up to age 16, and this also enables future integration with Ayushman Bharat.
Besides individual diagnoses, the initiative has been one of Palghar's first structured, citizen-level digital health datasets for tribal populations. All screening data is stored securely on cloud servers, and controlled access is provided to district health authorities.
This real-time data supports:
⢠Targeted anaemia and nutrition interventions
⢠Improved screening strategies under Ayushman Bharat health centres
⢠Evidence-based planning under NHM, RBSK, and RCH programs
⢠Faster referrals and on-the-spot counselling due to instant result
Final Thoughts: Strengthening Primary Healthcare in India
Portable, point-of-care diagnostic infrastructure, such as Healthnovo's NovoATMs, is helping strengthen existing PHCs, ASHAs, and community hospitals to bridge gaps in access to healthcare.
As India continues its push toward preventive healthcare, such district-led, technology-enabled models are helping improve early disease detection. This reduces out-of-pocket expenditure and strengthens digital health ecosystems - starting at the grassroots level.
