For micro-entrepreneurs and low-income families, a single health crisis can lead to a catastrophic financial shock, wiping out a lifetime of savings and a business built with microcredit. The high costs of medical care, including a loss of income during illness, can trap households in a cycle of debt and poverty. Microfinance and health insurance bundles offer a powerful, proactive solution, integrating financial services with a vital social safety net. By bundling micro loans with an accessible and affordable health insurance product, financial institutions can protect their clients from health-related financial risks, ensuring that a health emergency doesn't become a poverty emergency. This approach is a strategic imperative that links financial inclusion to genuine human well-being.

This course is designed to equip microfinance professionals with the strategic and practical knowledge needed to design, implement, and scale effective health insurance bundling programs. You will learn how to structure a partnership with insurance providers, design products that are simple and relevant to clients, and master the operational and technical aspects of delivering this service. By understanding the business case for a bundled product and the positive impact on clients, you will be prepared to lead your institution toward a more holistic approach to financial inclusion, building both economic resilience and health security for the communities you serve.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Microfinance institution (MFI) managers and executives
• Product managers and innovators in financial services
• Professionals in charge of field operations
• Financial inclusion and development practitioners
• Insurance providers and product managers
• Risk management and credit analysts
• Social entrepreneurs and startup founders
• Regulatory and policy advisors
• Health professionals in a development context

Objectives:

• Master the core concepts of bundling microfinance and health insurance.
• Understand the strategic business case for a bundled product.
• Learn how to design a simple and accessible health insurance product.
• Grasp the complexities of a partnership with an insurance provider.
• Explore strategies for a scalable and cost-effective program.
• Understand the role of technology and data in managing the bundle.
• Learn how to measure the impact on client health and financial well-being.
• Understand the legal and regulatory frameworks for insurance.
• Analyze successful case studies from different regions.
• Develop a strategic roadmap for a health insurance bundling program.

Module 1: The Health and Finance Nexus

• The link between health shocks and poverty
• The financial burden of illness on low-income households
• The role of microfinance in a health crisis
• The business case for bundling products
• The importance of a holistic approach to well-being

Module 2: The Bundling Model

• The main models of microfinance and health insurance bundles
• The role of a partnership with an insurance provider
• The benefits for MFIs, insurance companies, and clients
• The importance of a clear and simple product design
• The link between a bundle and a client's loyalty

Module 3: Product Design and Development

• Designing a product that meets client needs
• The importance of a simple and accessible product
• The role of a clear and transparent pricing policy
• The importance of a clear and simple claims process
• The link between a product and a client's financial behavior

Module 4: The Partnership Ecosystem

• The importance of a strong partnership
• The role of a well-defined business development team
• The importance of a network of trust and collaboration
• The role of a well-defined contract
• The importance of a regular review process

Module 5: Operations and Technology

• The operational challenges of a bundling program
• The role of technology in managing the bundle
• The importance of a secure and reliable platform
• The role of a dedicated team
• The importance of a well-defined operational manual

Module 6: Risk Management

• The main risks of a bundling program
• The importance of a clear and well-defined policy
• The role of a dedicated risk management team
• Strategies for managing the risk of a health crisis
• The importance of a well-defined internal control system

Module 7: Client Education and Communication

• The importance of a clear and well-defined communication policy
• The role of a client education program
• The importance of a clear and simple language
• The role of a well-defined marketing and advertising policy
• The importance of a well-defined communication plan

Module 8: The Regulatory Framework

• The legal and regulatory frameworks for insurance
• The importance of a clear and well-defined regulatory framework
• The role of a regulatory sandbox for innovation
• The importance of a well-defined compliance plan
• The importance of a well-defined legal framework

Module 9: The Role of the Board and Senior Management

• The responsibility of the board in a bundling program
• The importance of a client-centric culture from the top down
• The role of a senior management in implementing the program
• The importance of a well-defined policy
• The link between governance and a bundling program

Module 10: Scaling and Sustainability

• The challenges and opportunities of scaling a bundling program
• Measuring the return on investment (ROI)
• The long-term financial sustainability of the approach
• The future of financial inclusion with a robust program
• New trends and innovations in the sector

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.