HEALTH MICROINSURANCE-CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES

The world's poorest citizens bear a disproportionate share of disease and ill health. World Bank studies indicate that health-related issues both cause poverty and result from them (Narayan and Patesch 2000). In developing countries, illness is mentioned more frequently than job loss as the main cause of poverty (WHO 2002) and many low-income individuals cannot afford medical treatment. Health risks pose dangerous threats to the lives and livelihoods of the poor and health security remains integral to accomplishing many of the millennium Development Goals. Despite the positive indicators and potential of HMI, there are many challenges that limit the growth and impact of the sector. This presentation is based and a study that included a literature review and expert interviews, which discusses the challenges and identifies the innovative strategies that may move the field forward.