“Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”
Sustainable Development Goal 3
Opportunity International has deep experience in delivering financial services, training, and support that will create lasting change for families living in poverty. The link between poverty and poor health is undeniable–each year, out-of-pocket medical expenses force nearly one billion people deeper into financial hardship.
To address this crisis, Opportunity International collaborates with financial institutions to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that address both healthcare accessibility and financial stability. These initiatives combine access to financial services, health education and practical training, empowering families to avoid devastating health costs and make healthcare more accessible—especially in underserved communities.
By focusing on underserved communities, Opportunity ensures that families have the tools they need to build healthier, more financially secure futures.
No other organization currently focused on this critical intersection of finance and healthcare has the potential to scale through continued pilots and research as Opportunity does.
The Need
For families living in poverty in developing economies, healthcare is unaffordable and inaccessible, especially in rural and remote areas. Hundreds of millions of families are one unexpected health expense away from being plunged deeper into poverty. In fact, health-related crises are a leading cause of loan defaults—underscoring the heavy burden of medical expenses on families working to break free from poverty.
Research from the World Health Organization suggests that 90% of essential health needs could be met by bringing primary healthcare to vulnerable communities. However, significant barriers persist: public health systems cannot address the widespread gaps in care, especially in Asia and Africa; private providers often lack resources to offer quality care; and some communities remain inaccessible due to their remote locations, leaving millions without the care they need.
Our Programs
Opportunity’s financial institution partners have deep trust and vast networks in vulnerable communities. This trusted presence allows Opportunity to integrate health programs alongside our financial services in India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Nepal—creating a scalable, sustainable solution to healthcare and financial challenges at the same time.
Through these partnerships, Opportunity supports:
- Community health education programs to improve awareness and prevention
- Enhanced training and resources, and access to finance for small local healthcare providers to improve care quality
- Health-focused financial services like affordable loans, savings tools, and health insurance, helping families protect their health and avoid catastrophic expenses
Health Leaders
Opportunity improves access to healthcare by training existing female clients who own microbusinesses to become Health Leaders in their communities. Health Leaders receive training on various aspects of women’s health including nutrition, and menstrual, maternal, and child health. They carry this valuable education, along with information about disease prevention and to their communities. They can also provide access health products and enable teleconsultations with medical professionals, helping their communities stay healthier.
Health Entrepreneurs
Opportunity strengthens medical systems by serving Health Entrepreneurs who can play a crucial role as the first point of contact in the healthcare system for many in rural and remote communities. Health Entrepreneurs are the people running community pharmacies, medicine shops, and small private health clinics. We provide training, loans to help Health Entrepreneurs grow their businesses and incomes, and end-to-end support to them so they can better provide life-saving medicines, healthcare services, and medical referrals.
Health Finance
Opportunity helps financial institutions develop health-related digital financial services and products tailored for people living in poverty. This includes offering cost-effective services like health insurance, loans, and savings tools that help families prevent and manage devastating health expenses.
Our Impact
Communities educated by Health Leaders experience better long-term health of mothers and children, reporting:
All impact metrics are as of Calendar Year End 2023.