Integrated Health and Microfinance in India: Harnessing the Strengths of Two Sectors to Improve Health and Alleviate Poverty

This report demonstrates how the microfinance sector in India has become a promising platform for reaching the poor with health information, products, and services. It presents case studies to demonstrate the value of the microfinance sector and self-help group (SHG) networks as low-cost opportunities for delivery and financing of health-related services to poor families.The report states that the Indian microfinance sector is increasingly exploring the addition of health services. MFIs have compelling business reasons to attend to their clients health needs. Working with MFI and SHG networks provides the health sector with an opportunity to address the need for dependable, affordable, and quality health services for poor families. Recommendations include:

• Policymakers, researchers, donors, social investors, and practitioners should come together to endorse and support the integration of microfinance and health services;
• Financial support is needed to encourage MFIs, SHGs, and healthcare providers to get more involved in integrating these services;
• Practitioners should come together to disseminate and share information on best practices;
• National programs such as the National Rural Livelihood Mission should create capacity among the poor to enable last-mile service delivery for health and nutrition.