For many clients of microfinance institutions unexpected events can put their progress out of poverty at risk. Health problems can be among the most common and most debilitating of these risks. These clients are often willing to pay for well designed insurance and health programs targeted towards their needs. Depending on local health conditions and the availability of health services, clients may have unmet need for services in the following categories:

• Women and Children’s health
• Pre and Post Natal care
• Vaccinations
• Children’s checkup
• Diarrheal Disease prevention
• Child Respiratory infection prevention
• Nutrition
• Women’s reproductive health
• Ears Eyes and Teeth
• Eye glasses
• Eye surgery
• Hearing aids
• Dental care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Epidemic care
• HIV-AIDS
• STDs
• Malaria
• TB
• Emergency Care
• Hotline
• Ambulance
• Chronic Disease Maintenance
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease

An MFI’s existing operation may position them to create sustainable businesses delivering health or insurance services themselves, or to partner with insurance companies or NGOs to provide services to their clients. MFI’s are uniquely positioned for health and insurance opportunities because of their:
• Existing position of trust within their markets
• Standing financial relationship with clients
• Access to market data on their client base
• Ability to pool risk across a large group
• Ability to bargain for lower cost health or insurance services provision

MFI venture opportunities include:
• Insurance
• Credit-Life
• Life
• Health
• Property
• Disaster

• Health Services
• Provide health education through loan officers or partnerships
• Increase access to health services through local brigades or health services partnerships
• Reduce the cost of health services to clients through scale procurements of drugs or services
• Finance entrepreneurs providing health-related services

Healthy Women Healthy Business A Comparative Study of Pro Mujer’s Integration of Microfinance and Health Services