joint workshop on hwts wsp nagpur,hwts.web.unc.edu/files/2014/07/2013nagpur_day2_08_dutta.pdf ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Why are Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) interested in health including WASH?
Illness is one or biggest reasons for client failure to repay loans, build savings, and continue participation.Some important health interventions are low – cost or cost neutral for MFIs and have indirect, but important benefitsOpportunity to improve client satisfaction, retention, and grow (competitive advantage) Social Mission
Good Information
‐Participatory health education‐Health Promotion and Screening
‐WASH behavior change education ‐Intervention Promotion
Services and Products
‐Provider linkages‐Community health workers (products)‐Health fairs/camps‐Clinical services provision‐Financing to health care providers
‐Product distribution: soap, POU water treatment products, HWTS‐Family level support to sustain use.
Financing
‐Health loans ‐Health savings‐Health microinsurance
‐Loans (latrine construction, water harvesting, HWTS )‐Commitment savings
A Study on the Distribution of HWTS, leveraging MFI Platform Piloted by PATH and evaluated by Abt associate in 4 branches of Spandana in Tamil Nadu between 2008 & 2011
Promoting and distributing HWTS through MFI group can be sustainable
HWTS product known as Pureit was purchased by MFI clients through awareness, marketing & channel
Loan given to clients
Major Findings Mainly piped water source with 30% boiling water & 6% using HWTS regularly
At endline: 75% aware of Pureit, 12.2% purchased, 8.7% actually used. Correct use only 3.6%
Longitudinal follow‐up: 25% still using, 26% had given away; the remaining 49% not using but still keeping the product
Low use: replacement cost + unaware of supply line Commercially viable in high density area of use. In low density: cost not fully recovered
Recommendations Appropriate education Information flow on supply chain Close follow up Financial support for replaceable parts Conclusion: MFI partnership model has the potential to be effective in a variety of urban, peri‐urban, and rural settings, i.e. generate reasonable levels of uptake in a 6‐12 month period with the recommendations mentioned above
WASH integration on MFI Platform with primary focus on HWTS PATH, under WSP, designed gravity fed water filters with common C1 interface.
PATH provided support to Freedom from Hunger for field fitness test of the product through one of the MFI partners in Odisha (Gram Utthan)
50 units of products provided to the MFI with 3 types of ceramic filters
Freedom from Hunger developed and tested the community focused education module on WASH
Model – Pilot with Gram‐Utthan, Orissa Build on current health protection program (20,000 SHG members)
Safe water source – rare, tube wells few, flood prone, low knowledge on water filter & its availability
Tried with Pureit, high uptake but low use and sustainanece, replacement costly
WASH Education: Village Health Volunteers (VHV)
Financing: Loans and/or savings from SHGs
Interventions Baseline study ‐ 50 villages among the clients Field fitness test of PureEasy ‐ 25 out of 50 VHVs Training of trainers on WASH module TOT on ‘’Increase Your Sale’’ module Based on field fitness test, Gram Utthan ordered for 400 units of PureEasy from China, to be delivered soon
Field Fitness Test Findings VHVs promoted the product through education & demonstration.
All 25 (and other consumers) found the water clean, taste well and the unit looks good. Also very easy to assemble (takes about 3‐4 minutes) and easy to clean
23 of them stated they would recommend 22 VHVs willing to purchase. Willing price Rs 700‐800. Replacement of filter (3‐5 times / yr) Rs. 200
Challenge & next step Cost a major challenge. Import is another one. Supply chain, a third one
Actual cost Rs. 1300 (including import). Replacement of filters Rs. 300 / year
Gram Utthan decided to stock 400 units and provide loan to clients and other community members
Thought is on to seek possible manufacturer in India, wherein cost can come down to Rs. 800
Lesson from Spandana study: Packaged intervention Education + HWTS + Sanitary latrines + follow up
WASH Education for Behavior ChangeCharacters: Participatory using Adult Learning Principles
Relevant Focus on change in practice or behaviorEnjoyable Easy to use Quality matters
Delivery:By VHV in regular
group meetingSeries of sessions
Potentials with HMA 90 million of microfinance members in India Access is easy and low cost Significant uptake of HWTS with sustenance Significant impact on reduction of diarrhoea and respiratory infections
HMA already covering 700,000 women members through 38 partners in India – education + links + monitoring + impact assessment
ESAF & Bandhan already into WASH. HMA is in the process to promote HWTS with GU model