Program Impact and SROI Analysis

The Core Question: Demonstrating Value for Funding

The Overall Framework: Social Return on Investment (SROI)

We will use the SROI framework, which provides a clear, defensible ratio that summarizes our program's value. The core formula is:

SROI Ratio = (Total Value of Outcomes) / (Total Program Investment)

An SROI ratio of 4:1 means that for every ₹1 invested, ₹4 of social and economic value (in our case, healthcare cost savings) was generated. Our analysis is broken into three key parts.

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Part 1: Calculating Program Investment (The Cost)

[Health Economist & Program Manager Hats]

This is the most straightforward part of the analysis. We must sum up all costs associated with running the program over a specific period (e.g., one year) to determine the total investment.

Cost Categories:

1. Personnel Costs:
   • Salaries of call center agents (e.g., Nandini, Janavi).
   • Salary of the Program Manager.
   • Prorated salaries of data scientists/analysts and IT support.
   • Prorated salaries of clinical supervisors.
2. Technology & Infrastructure Costs:
   • Telephony/call center software costs.
   • Server and database hosting for the predictive model and dashboard.
   • Software licenses (e.g., for data analysis, dashboarding tools).
   • Cost of developing and maintaining the "Risk Calculator" user interface.
3. Direct & Indirect Costs:
   • Training costs for all staff.
   • Office space, electricity, and other overheads (allocated as a percentage).
   • Cost of any provided materials (e.g., iron supplements, if part of the program).

Example Annual Program Cost (Illustrative):

Let's assume a pilot program covering 1,000 high-risk women:

Cost Category	Estimated Annual Cost (INR)
Personnel	₹25,00,000
Technology	₹5,00,000
Overheads & Indirect Costs	₹3,00,000
Total Annual Investment	₹33,00,000

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Part 2: Calculating the Value of Outcomes (The Savings)

[Health Economist & Data Analyst Hats]

This is the most complex and powerful part of the analysis. We must estimate the costs of the adverse outcomes our program helps to prevent, using cost data specific to the Indian healthcare context.

The value is calculated using the formula:

Value = (Number of Averted Events) x (Average Cost per Event)

The 'Number of Averted Events' is determined through our M&E pilot study by comparing the intervention group to the control group.

Key Averted Events and Their Estimated Costs (India Context):

Averted Adverse Event	Estimated Cost per Event (INR)	How Our Program Averts This Event
Low Birth Weight (LBW) requiring NICU	₹1,00,000 - ₹5,00,000+	Early detection of anemia, IUGR, and hypertension allows for interventions that improve fetal growth and extend gestation.
Emergency C-Section	₹80,000 - ₹1,50,000	Proactive management of high-risk conditions leads to planned, less costly procedures instead of emergencies.
Severe Maternal Anemia requiring Blood Transfusion	₹15,000 - ₹30,000	Consistent follow-up on anemia ensures supplement adherence and early escalation, preventing the need for costly transfusions.
Maternal Eclampsia/Pre-eclampsia Hospitalization	₹50,000 - ₹2,00,000	Regular BP monitoring and follow-up allows for timely medication, preventing severe complications and hospitalization.
Pregnancy Loss (LOP) requiring D&C	₹20,000 - ₹40,000	Management of key risk factors like hypertension improves overall pregnancy viability.

Hypothetical SROI Calculation (for 1,000 women):

1. Averted LBW/NICU Stays:
   • Control Group LBW rate: 40% (400 women) vs. Intervention Group rate: 30% (300 women)
   • Events Averted: 100
   • Savings (at avg. cost of ₹1,50,000): 100 x ₹1,50,000 = ₹1,50,00,000
2. Averted Blood Transfusions:
   • Control Group rate: 15% (150 women) vs. Intervention Group rate: 5% (50 women)
   • Events Averted: 100
   • Savings (at avg. cost of ₹20,000): 100 x ₹20,000 = ₹20,00,000
3. Other Averted Complications:
   • Estimated additional savings from preventing other issues: ₹30,00,000

Total Value of Outcomes (Gross Savings): ₹1,50,00,000 + ₹20,00,000 + ₹30,00,000 = ₹2,00,00,000

Final SROI Calculation Result:

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Part 3: The Role of the "Impact Tracker"

[All Hats On]

Using the Impact Tracker to Build a Compelling Case:

1. To Explain the "How":

The tracker translates abstract statistics into concrete actions.

• SROI Statistic: "We reduced cases of severe anemia requiring transfusion by 10 percentage points."
• Impact Tracker Story (Beneficiary 7387557849): "Here is a specific example. Nandini's call on June 2nd documented that this patient, who had a history of miscarriage due to bleeding, was receiving a blood transfusion. Our system ensured this high-risk event was tracked, and her care was managed through to a successful C-section. This is one of the 100 women we helped avoid further complications."

2. To Justify the Program's Design:

The tracker demonstrates that the program's processes work as intended.

• SROI Statistic: "Our program prevents costly complications by ensuring high-risk patients are managed at appropriate facilities."
• Impact Tracker Story (Beneficiary 9923169636): "This is how it works in practice. Janavi documented on April 6th that a patient with low platelets was advised to deliver at the specialized Nair Hospital. Our call center's role was to confirm and reinforce this critical referral, preventing a potential delivery at a less-equipped facility. This proactive tracking is a core function of our intervention."

3. To Demonstrate Agent-Level Impact and Program Quality:

The tracker showcases the skill and dedication of the program's staff.

• Impact Tracker Story (Beneficiary 9967887935): "When this beneficiary reported abdominal pain, our agent Janavi didn't just note it down. She confirmed the patient was seeking medical attention, had a sonography, and was prescribed medication. This shows our agents are not just callers; they are active care coordinators who ensure the loop is closed on high-risk flags."

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Structuring the Final Investment Report

Our report to funders should follow this compelling structure:

1. Executive Summary: Lead with the headline SROI ratio (e.g., 6:1).
2. The Problem: Briefly describe the high rates of maternal complications and LBW.
3. Our Solution: Describe the program as a blend of predictive analytics and human-led, compassionate follow-up.
4. The Quantitative Impact (The "What"): Present the SROI calculation with clear charts and tables.
5. The Qualitative Impact (The "How"): Feature 2-3 powerful case studies directly from the Impact Tracker to bring the numbers to life.
6. The Ask: State the funding required to scale the program and project the expected SROI at that larger scale.

By combining the rigorous financial argument of SROI with the compelling, humanizing stories from our Impact Tracker, we create an investment proposal that appeals to both the head and the heart, making a powerful case for expansion.