Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

Healthy CRECER

last updated Sep 27, 2011

Overview

Implementing organization: 
CRECER
Implementation Partner(s): 
CIES, Marie Stopes, Freedom from Hunger, Health Ministry
Legal Status: 
Private (not-for-profit)
Year Launched: 
2006
Stage: 
Existing/expansion stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
Bottom 20%, 20-60% (lower to lower-middle)

Funding

Primary Source of Funding: 
Revenue (e.g., interest on loans)
Additional Source(s) of Funding: 
Donor
Funders: 
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Scale

Personnel Employed: 
100<
Number of Clients Served: 
Clients with access to trainning sesions, jornadas and health credit: 102.713 Clients who got healthcare: 23.207
Summary: 

Rural Credit with Education (CRECER) is a Financial Development Institution which, through their work with Credit Associations, provides financial and educational services to poor women with the ultimate goal of improving their quality of life and that of their families.

Key program components: 

During the last 5 years CRECER has investigated, tested, and launched an innovative health program which is comprised of 3 phases or levels: (1) education, (2) health care, and (3) credit services. Each connects to the next in a complementary manner.

  1. Health education: Educational sessions are delivered to clients in each payment meeting every 2 weeks or once a month. Health discussions are based on client demand, and experts are invited to address specific health topics. Workshops last approximately 2 hours and all interested clients are invited to attend.
  2. Health care: CRECER has established agreements with healthcare institutions which allows the organization to refer its clients to reduced-cost services at the participating institution. They also organize “Jornadas de Salud” that are special days in which CRECER agencies organize visits of specialized medical personnel from partner institutions. During the day, the personnel give educational sessions, do blood work, lab examination, diagnostics, etc., depending on their specialty. There are two types of jornadas: those held specifically for CRECER clients and those open to the entire community.
  3. Credit services: There are two credit products for healthcare. Both are evaluated, approved, and guaranteed by the Credit Association.
    a. Crédito Oportuno (Timely Credit) - Small amounts designed to cover health emergencies (illness, accident, etc.)
    b. Crédito de Salud (Health Credit) - Larger amounts designed to cover treatment and surgery. In this case the client should present the prescription and medical diagnosis detailing the need for treatment and/or surgery.
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