Thoughtworks Technology Podcast

Inside Bahmni: An open-source digital public good

Jun 27, 2024

Explore the origins and growth of Bahmni, an open-source digital public good for healthcare infrastructure in resource-challenged areas. Learn about the challenges and decisions involved in integrating various open-source projects into a hospital management system. Discover how the Bahmni project is sustained through investments and voluntary contributions, addressing unique requirements for users in low-internet areas. Dive into the collaboration efforts and impact of digital public goods in the health tech sector, supporting projects aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.

52:11

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Quick takeaways

Bahmni is a versatile open-source HIMS supporting healthcare facilities worldwide.

Shift to product mindset and governance transparency fueled Bahmni's growth and adoption.

Enhancements in design and interoperability drive Bahmni's recognition as a digital public good.

Deep dives

Introduction of Bhamni: A Comprehensive HIMS

Bhamni is introduced as a Hospital Information Management System (HIMS) that integrates various hospital capabilities from registration to clinical management, test collaboration, radiology, pharmacy inventory, and billing. Originating from ThoughtWorks' social impact program, initiated in response to a remote hospital's resource challenges in 2012, Bhamni began as a project to support healthcare facilities.

Intro

2min

Evolution and Expansion of Bahmni

16min

Transition from developers to implementers in low resource environments and design considerations

7min

Integrating Open Source Projects for Hospital Management System

7min

Sustainability and Challenges in Open-Source Digital Public Goods

13min

Digital Public Goods: Enhancing Impact and Collaboration in Health Tech

8min

Bahmni started life as an open-source hospital information management system and electronic medical record for a single hospital in rural India. Today, it has more than 500 implementations in 50 countries across Africa and Asia, and is recognized as one of only 165 digital public goods by the Digital Public Goods Alliance.

Thoughtworks played a key part in bringing Bahmni into the world back in 2012. And although today it’s run and supported by a coalition of organizations, Thoughtworks continues to have a leading role in the project as a member of its Governing Committee.

To tell Bahmni’s unique story, Rebecca Parsons and Ken Mugrage speak with Satish Viswanathan and Angshuman Sarkar, two Thoughtworkers actively participating and contributing to the project. They discuss Bahmni’s origins and how it grew from a small, local tool to become a vital component in healthcare infrastructure in parts of the world that have long faced resource challenges.

Learn more about Bahmni: https://www.bahmni.org/

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Thoughtworks Technology Podcast

Inside Bahmni: An open-source digital public good

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Introduction of Bhamni: A Comprehensive HIMS

Evolution of Bhamni into a Product

Transition to Product Management and Community Collaboration

Integration Challenges and Evolutionary Trends

Sustainability and Recognitions as a Digital Public Good

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts