Microfinance and Health Protection “MAHP” NEWS

Publication Date: Nov 2007
Published by: Freedom from Hunger
Document Type: Newsletter (PDF)

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November 2007 issue of Microfinance and Health Protection initiative’s newsletter

This issue of the Microfinance and Health Protection (MAHP) initiative’s newsletter discusses the following topics:

Freedom from Hunger’s new franchisee approach to delivering health products that aims to serve the needs of very poor people in sustainable ways:

• This pilot program in Ghana, called MicroBusiness for Health (MBH), combines health protection with a financially self-sustaining microfranchise business model to extend health products to people in rural areas.
• Its features include:
  • Operations through a network of HealthKeepers – women who sell health promoting products in rural communities;
  • A profit-generating business model.

News from MAHP’s partner organizations, such as:

• The distribution of health products in rural areas by Bandhan, India;
• The inauguration of a preferred-provider program with member discounts on primary care by CARD;
• The launch of a separate MAHP office and individual health loans by CRECER;
• The provision of malaria education by PADME and its accomplishment of a baseline study for impact evaluation;
• The substantial increase in the volume of savings and the number of accounts by RCPB and its members.

The newsletter also provides information about the importance of:

• Documentation of start-up costs;
• Estimation of the potential of financial sustainability;
• Distinguishing between products that are necessary for impact versus products that stimulate demand;
• Communication and team work
• Improvement in the financial as well as social bottom-lines;
• Compelling stories.