The Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI) announces a new partnership with the Microinsurance Network to centralize information gathering and knowledge sharing for micro-insurance health programs in low- and middle- income countries.
Managed by R4D, CHMI's database now includes more than 100 distinct health insurance products designed for low-income populations in developing countries. The Health Working Group of the Microinsurance Network will collaborate with Abt Associates, the International Labour Organization’s Microinsurance Innovation Facility, Results for Development, and Denis Garand and Associates to disseminate promising practices to innovators and help health program managers share lessons learned.
“[The platform] will be a living document, updated as new research becomes available,” said Thierry van Bastelaer, Principal Associate at Abt Associates and facilitator of the Network’s Health Working Group.
In selecting the most appropriate web platform for the Microinsurance Network’s health microinsurance products and lessons-learned inventories, the group reviewed six platforms, considering several key criteria including the visibility of the platform in the fields of microinsurance and health systems innovation and the functionality of the platform.
After its review, the Health Working Group concluded that the CHMI web platform would provide maximum flexibility and visibility to key audiences. The group will also profile the micro-insurance products and a repository of lessons learned on the Microinsurance Innovation Facility website, http://www.microinsurancefacility.org/en/hwg/.
CHMI will be announcing several additional expert “curator” groups in the months to come with groups studying other promising market-based health programs. As CHMI currently profiles more than 1200 nonprofits, social enterprises, policies, and public-private partnerships in more than 100 countries, recruiting expert curators to organize and disseminate information is crucial to keeping the database up-to-date and relevant to philanthropists, investors, researchers, and program implementers worldwide.
***
ABOUT ABT ASSOCIATES
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms in 2011 and also named one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries.
ABOUT THE MICROINSURANCE NETWORK
The Microinsurance Network is a global multi-stakeholder platform for individuals and organizations involved in microinsurance. Its mission is to promote the development of good-value insurance services for people on low-income by providing a platform for information sharing and stakeholder coordination.
ABOUT THE HEALTH WORKING GROUP
The Network's Health Working Group brings together practitioners, insurers, and academics involved in the design and implementation of pooling products that increase low-income families' financial access to health care.
ABOUT THE ILO'S MICROINSURANCE INNOVATION FACILITY
The International Labour Organization through its Microinsurance Innovation Facility seeks to increase the availability of quality insurance for the developing world's low income families to help them guard against risk and overcome poverty. The Facility was launched in 2008 with the support of a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
ABOUT THE CENTER FOR HEALTH MARKET INNOVATIONS
The Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI) promotes policies and practices that improve privately delivered health care for the poor in low- and middle- income countries. Operated through a global network of partners since 2010, CHMI is managed by the Results for Development Institute. Details on more than 1000 innovative health enterprises, nonprofits, and policies can be found online at HealthMarketInnovations.org.
ABOUT DENIS GARAND AND ASSOCIATES
Denis Garand and Associates is an actuarial firm with the mission to provide clear advice on viability of microinsurance based on sound insurance management skills. They have worked with microinsurance since 2001 in over 30 countries.
Photo: Dengue Fever microinsurance cards sold by Bidan Delima, a franchise network of midwives in Indonesia. (Oscar Siagian/R4D)