Growth of Development

No of families covered under BHP
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No of branches covered under BHP
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BHP(Bandhan Health Program)

 
The microfinance intervention made by Bandhan definitely helped in the enhancement of the income of poor borrowers, but this income would often flow out to meet the emergency health expenses of the family. Bandhan realized that this income leakage had to be taken care of. Hence this intercession into the health area was thought imperative.
The goal of this project is to reduce the health expenditure of poor families and to ensure easy accessibility to health care services available at governmental and non-governmental levels in a sustainable manner. This also maintains the borrower's ability to repay the loan, help them increase their enterprises and also contributes to sustaining the microfinance program of Bandhan.

Bandhan is working with Freedom from Hunger (FFH), a California based organization on this crucial issue of health. The program was piloted in Howrah district in the state of West Bengal in January 2007. Presently, the health program is also operative in the district of Murshidabad now. The program is spread across 10 branches of West Bengal and reaching out to 67,500 beneficiaries.

Basically, the package of health service includes the following components.
Health forum
These are interactive / participative sessions on health issues attended by the entire village community (members of Bandhan + non-members). The same is facilitated by Bandhan's Health Community Organizer (HCO). Issues discussed in the health forums are diarrhea, care of pregnant women, water and sanitation, planning for better health, pneumonia, family planning, quality health care, neo natal care, safe delivery, care of sick children, infant and young child feeding and others.
The reinforcement of the basic health messages expressed during the health forums is ensured by the health volunteers known as Swastha Sohayika (SS) through regular household visits.
Providing linkages / referrals
The health team refers people to government health care services and also private doctors, as needed. During home visits, the SS and HCOs identify patients who require referrals. All SS and HCOs have functional linkages with nearby sub health centres and Block Primary Health Centre (BPHC) whereby they can refer patients.
Health product distribution
Certain commonly used health products viz. antacid, paracetamol, ORS, oral pill, sanitary napkin, antiseptic lotion, band-aid, cotton, de-worming medicine, pregnancy strip comprise the health kit. The same is distributed by the SS to the village community.