Chandni Gupta Ohri
Student, University of Washington
chandnigupta@hotmail.com

“Microfinance and Health: A Case for Integrated Service Delivery”

Presentation Abstract:
World Bank sources indicate that more than 1 billion people live on less than a dollar a day worldwide. The Human Development Report 2003 states that out of 42 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the world, 39 million live in developing countries. The link between poverty and poor health is evident. Poverty is a multidimensional problem requiring a comprehensive solution strategy. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have emerged as an important strategy for poverty alleviation. Most MFIs focus on improving the poor people’s incomes. By ignoring health and education as important needs of the poor, ‘minimalist’ MFIs (financial services only) provide an incomplete solution. This paper identifies the value of MFIs focusing on fulfilling other basic needs of the poor by incorporating ‘better health of clients’ as a primary goal. By doing so, MFIs can have a greater impact on poverty alleviation. Though this presents a challenge for MFIs in terms of financial sustainability, MFIs cannot ignore their clients’ health concerns. Health service provision strategies are outlined in the paper. MFIs must choose strategies appropriate to their internal and external context to balance social objectives and financial constraints. Poverty alleviation is successful only when all basic needs are fulfilled.

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Biography:
Chandni Ohri is a development professional with a keen interest in poverty issues. Having witnessed extreme poverty and the accompanying misery in her native country India, Chandni is strongly motivated to explore and implement sustainable, long-term poverty alleviation programs. She is pursuing that objective in her current role as a Program Associate at Grameen Foundation USA, a non-profit working to alleviate poverty through the power of microfinance. Chandni received her Masters in International Studies from the University of Washington at Seattle. She also completed a certificate program in International Development Policy and Management at the Evans School of Public Affairs, University of Washington. She completed her MBA from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (India). Chandni is fluent in English, Hindi and Punjabi. She likes to read and travel when time permits.