Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

AYZH

last updated Mar 15, 2012

Overview

Legal Status: 
Private (for-profit)
Stage: 
Pilot/startup stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
Bottom 20%, 20-60% (lower to lower-middle)
Summary: 

AYZH is a social venture looking through the eyes of women to identify the tools they want and need to help improve their standard of living. AYZH serves the needs of impoverished women worldwide by bringing them affordable appropriate technologies that increase income and/or improve health.

Key program components: 

AYZH is a social venture that helps identify the tools that women want and need to help improve their standard of living. AYZH operates an innovative business model that connects a rural woman’s health and livelihood with products designed to meet her needs. The company conducts extensive market research to assess consumer demand; and then tests technologies on their affordability, appropriateness, and aesthetics to meet that demand.

AYZH sets up supply chains for local manufacturing to keep costs low and boost economic opportunity. The company also distributes products through the existing infrastructure of retailers, women self help groups (SHGs), and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that sell products to women in their region. AYZH’s initial market for impact is southern India. The company takes a tiered approach to first address women’s basic needs – get them and their families healthy so they have the time and strength to work. It then provides them with incomegenerating tools to help imrpove livelihoods. With a healthier family and more lucrative opportunities, the women can attain a level of self sufficiency that translates into a more vibrant society.

AYZH is currently preparing to launch its first two health related products:

  • Sheba Water Filter: A household water filter to provide high quality drinking water at a low cost
  • Clean Delivery Birth Kit: The JANMA clean birth kit is a $2 solution for clean, safe and healthy deliveries. JANMA is distributed through an established network of local pharmacies, clinics, and women-focused nonprofit/nongovernmental organizations.

Additional Information

  • Watch the AYZH Health and Livelihood Private Limited video.
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