Summary

Key program components

The model is designed such that community members could earn the health insurance instead of purchasing it. Specifically, FIMRC is in the process of developing a system whereby health credits can be earned by achieving certain health goals or attending health education workshops. This methodology encourages community members to take an active interest in their health and reward them by providing an option to "purchase" health insurance using their accumulated health credits. The health insurance will then cover secondary or tertiary health care needs such as eyeglasses or even surgery. **Health Education Sessions:** Weekly health education sessions are a popular means by which community health issues are addressed. The sessions cover both short-term and long-term health goals of the participants and the community as a whole, and cover topics such as nutrition, health and hygiene, upper respiratory infections, and breast cancer. **Home Visits:** MHIP staff and/or a FIRMC volunteers carry out home visits to assess whether they are putting in practice the healthy behavior discussed in the sessions. Participants accrue credits based on their level of compliance. As of December 14, 2010, 31 families with 78 children had enrolled in the program.