Op ASHA solves a critical issue in TB prevention and treatment services by offering last-mile delivery for millions of people. Unlike all others in the field, they provide the full spectrum of TB services and are a leader in taking a holistic approach to TB. They operate a network of local healthcare providers that deliver TB treatment directly to the door of the patient. Their providers carry out awareness, counseling of patients, families and communities, case detection, full and final treatment to prevent drug resistant TB, and prevention of stigma. They specialize in serving communities that are historically difficult to reach, including slums and rural villages. By providing tailored and supervised care to the individuals they serve, Op ASHA improves awareness around and treatment of TB, which in turn enhances health, economic, and social outcomes.

The scope of Op ASHA’s impact is vast, having treated over 81,500 TB patients and 205 Multi-Drug Resistant TB patients. Key metrics that Op ASHA uses to measure their impact include the population served, number of people screened by questionnaire, number of TB patients detected, treatment success rate, number of drug-resistant cases prevented, cost per patient and increased productivity of treated patients. Op ASHA’s impact thus far include:

• Improved TB detection rate by 50 to 400% within 6-18 months of starting work
• Achieved treatment success rate of 88% (compared to 73% for India) with a default rate of less than 3% (compared to 36% for India)
• Reduced cost of TB detection and treatment to $80 per patient (compared to other NGOs’ $852 per patient), which is by far the lowest in the world and its results far exceed competitors’ performance
• Inspired third-party organizations to adopt their model – one such partner offers coverage for 8% of the population of Tanzania
• Treated patients and their countries’ economies have saved $1.9 billion

Op ASHA conducted extensive field research prior to developing their unique local, deep, low-cost, high-impact, replicable model. Their model fills the gaps in government programs, and takes TB detection, delivery and counseling to the absolute last mile where the poorest of the poor live. They work with local leaders, hire local people and give market salaries and incentives for results. Op ASHA uses technology efficiently and effectively including the use of eCompliance, a biometric fingerprinting device developed in partnership with Microsoft Research in the slums of Delhi where every dose is monitored by a fingerprint . Op ASHA continues to innovate, particularly in the area of biometric technology, and has developed iris authentication and a no-text visual icon system for patients in zero-literacy areas, which is unique compared to other organizations.

Third party organizations are drawn to replicate Op ASHA’s model because of its novel application of eCompliance technology and its focus on employing local health workers in the community. Op ASHA has learned to tweak their models to suit local geographies, and to work according to socio-cultural norms. They recognize that partnerships are the best way to forge ahead and as such, have actively collaborated with governments, NGOs, corporations, and universities. Columbia University’s Earth Institute took Op ASHA’s model and replicated it in Uganda and Kenya, specifically for the rural village context. Local NGOs in Latin America have also replicated Op ASHA’s model in Peru and the Dominican Republic, which have seen promising results for TB detection and treatment. In order to raise funds for their TB treatment program, Op ASHA established mASHA Technologies, a for-profit social enterprise that develops technology for third parties to meet specific disease tracking needs. Their products will be useful for any condition where compliance poses a challenge (eg. immunization, HIV AIDS, diabetes), suggesting that Op ASHA’s impact can expand beyond TB treatment.