Resources AMIN

Health Micro-Insurance Schemes. Feasibility Study Guide. Volume 1: Procedure

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The main objective of the guide is to encourage promoters and operators and support their efforts to conduct a systematic feasibility study prior to the establishment or further development of a scheme.
In spite of their dynamic nature, health micro-insurance schemes, in general, are quite fragile. They do not possess the hindsight and experience needed for an accurate determination of the financial risks they face. The financial safeguards of such schemes – reserves, reinsurance – and their promoters' level of competence in the area of insurance are presently still limited.
Given such a context, the foundations of these schemes – that is, the assumptions upon which they are based – must be particularly firm. A scheme will have greater chances of surviving, and subsequently of developing, if it is well designed from the outset. Therefore, conducting a feasibility study appears to be essential.
The impetus for producing this guide grew out of two observations:

in order to ensure the sustainability and viability of a health micro-insurance scheme, it is important to define its characteristics in terms of its particular context. The feasibility study is a key contributing factor – though not the only one – to the success of a scheme;
the promoters involved must have a coherent set of methods and tools at their disposal in order to carry out this type of study.

The guidebook provides step-by-step instructions and useful tools for designing a health micro-insurance scheme and for determining its organization and operating rules. It neither deals with the relevance of setting up a scheme, nor provides a precise and systematic explanation of how a scheme functions, and it is not sufficient for conducting the various operations of a scheme once it has been set up (e.g. detailed explanation of the day-to-day management).
It consists of two volumes. Volume 1 provides step-by-step instructions for carrying out a feasibility study and assists actors in organizing the process of conducting the study. Volume 2 provides examples of supporting materials, tools, practical examples and methods of analysis and calculation, which offer concrete support for each step of the procedure. Volume 2 facilitates the performance of certain technical task carried out during the feasibility study, such as drafting a questionnaire, utilizing the results of a survey, calculating premiums or drafting contracts or agreements. Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Volume 2 serve as support for the corresponding chapters of Volume 1.

La salud, la seguridad social y las mutuales en Argentina

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Appui � la construction d'un cadre r�gional de d�veloppement des mutuelles de sant� dans les pays de l'UEMOA

Thu, 07 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

7 bonnes raisons pour adopter une loi sur les mutuelles

Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

A case study on Lalitpur Medical Insurance Scheme, Nepal

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Describes the Health Insurance System, providing with a demographic, economic and social context within which the scheme operates. The paper also describes the implementation process, including the launching phase and the operation of the scheme; the target group, beneficiary categories, benefits and other products offered, financing, management, relationship with health care providers and other actors.

A case study on the insurance scheme of the Public Health Concern Trust (PHECT), Nepal

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

A key factor of success in promoting social cohesion: the contribution of partnerships between local authorities and organisations of general interest

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

A network of actors for the extension of social protection worldwide

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presentation of the coalition set up around an "International Alliance for the extension of social protection" and different regional networks – ACYM in Latin America, CONCERTATION (Coordination Network) in Africa and AMIN in Asia – that aims at enhancing and strengthening initiatives dedicated to the extension of social protection, supporting partnerships, and developing a more effective advocacy at all levels.

A System of Health Accounts

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Health care is one of the largest sectors in OECD countries, and accounts now for over 8% of GDP on average. Reliable international comparisons of health care expenditure levels are increasingly being sought by policy-makers and researchers, as several OECD countries re-examine the adequacy of total health spending, and the public and private shares of the expenditure.
This manual provides a set of comprehensive, consistent and flexible accounts to meet the needs of government and private-sector analysts and policy-makers. These accounts constitute a common framework for enhancing the comparability of data over time and across countries, and suggest basic links with non-monetary indicators.
The manual establishes a conceptual basis of statistical reporting rules compatible with other economic and social statistics and proposes a newly developed Internantional Classification for Health Accounts (ICHA) which covers three dimensions: health care by functions of care; providers of health care services; and sources of funding.
The System of Health Accounts provides basic concepts and definitions underlying the annual data collection of OECD Health Data. Once this accounting standard has been implemented in a large number of OECD countries, it will allow for more consistent and reliable comparisons of health care expenditure across countries.

Access to social protection and health care for all

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Various paths may be taken to extend health coverage and social protection in the area of health. It is up to each country to define its own extension strategy and the most appropriate mechanisms in light of its economic and institutional development withing its historical and cultural context.
Several countries have started down that path, which consists of designing coherent and linked national health insurance systems based on several mechanisms, and a variety of actors and sources of financing.
The international STEP programme of the ILO Social Security Department is the operational instrument of the Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All.
This brochure provides an overview of the activities of the STEP programme in Africa.

Acci�n International

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The mission of ACCION International is to give people the tools they need to work their way out of poverty. By providing "micro" loans, financial services and business training to poor women and men who start their own businesses, ACCION's partner microfinance organizations help people work their own way up the economic ladder, with dignity and pride. With capital, people can grow their own businesses. They can earn enough to afford basics like running water, better food and schooling for their children.

Achieving health insurance for all. Lessons from the Republic of Korea

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Republic of Korea [Kwon, 2002] which has gradually extended compulsory health insurance to all workers over a period of 12 years (from 1977 to 1989): wage earners of large corporations with more than 500 workers were first to be covered, government employees and teachers came next, followed gradually by workers in increasingly small enterprises. Extension to the self-employed began through pilot programmes before being generalized.

Action normative et Travail d�cent. Perspectives en mati�re de s�curit� sociale (Rapport de synth�se)

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Actuarial mathematics of social security pensions

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Aims at establishing a link between social security financing methods and occupational pension funding methods.

Actuarial practice in social security

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Presents technical material on valuation covering a wide-range of risks including old age, survivors, disability, sickness, maternity, employment injury, and unemployment. Provides concrete examples of work done by actuaries. It discusses the valuation of pensions, short-term cash benefits like sickness, maternity and unemployment insurance and examines the valuation of employment injury benefits as well. In addition, the book devotes special attention to what should be included in the actuarial report and presents a practical exercise to illustrate the important points discussed in the volume.

Addressing the multi-dimensional factors of social exclusion

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Africa: Community-based micro-insurance for universal health coverage

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Social protection – health coverage in particular – is a powerful means of reducing poverty – both directly by offering financial protection that keeps households affected by illness from falling into poverty, and indirectly through its positive impact on economic performance and productivity.

African Development Bank (ADB)

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Description

The African Development Bank (ADB) is Africa's premier development finance institution which is dedicated to combating poverty and improving living conditions across the continent. The ADB is also engaged in mobilizing resources for the economic and social progress of its Regional Member Countries.
The Bank's mission is to promote economic and social development through loans, equity investments and technical assistance.

Alamin ang tungkol sa HMI: Health Micro-Insurance

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Support material (flipchart) explaining risk and vulnerability concepts, expenses due to illness and usual ways to cope with such expenses, like microinsurance.

Alliance Nationale des Mutualit�s Chr�tiennes de Belgique (ANMC)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Americas Association of Cooperative/Mutual Insurance Societies (AAC/MIS)

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Description
Supporting the cooperative and mutual insurance movement, AAC/MIS is the Americas' regional association of the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF). Together with regional associations in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the ICMIF network represents 184 people-based insurers in 70 countries. AAC/MIS represents 55 cooperatives and mutual insurance organizations in 22 countries throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Am�rica Cooperativa Y Mutual (ACYM)

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

An enabling regulatory environment for microinsurance

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Chapter on microinsurance regulation, in Protecting the poor: A microinsurance compendium, ILO, 2006, pp. 488-507.

An inventory of Micro-Insurance Schemes in Nepal

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This inventory gives an overview of existing and newly planned micro-insurance schemes (MIS) in Nepal. It is intended for promoters and practitioners of micro-insurance schemes, including Government, employers′ organizations and trade unions throughout the region. Twenty-one organizations that have been operating micro-insurance schemes were surveyed in this study, with an overall coverage of less than two thousand people so far. The report suggests that all the schemes have a potential to almost duplicate the number of beneficiaries in a few years; many of the organizations are planning to launch MIS in the near future, especially in health care. The report includes the questionnaire used to collect the data for the inventory.

Andhra Pradesh: Healing Fields Foundation Health Insurance Scheme

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This document belongs to a collection of two page long infosheets about different micro-insurance programs in Asia. The briefs on the left of the infosheets describe the schemes - eligibility conditions, benefits, premiums and other key features - as well as their main achievements and challenges ahead. The fact sheets on the right give overviews of the schemes (starting date, ownership profile, target group, outreach etc...), operational mechanisms, scope and level of health benefits and activity indicators (number of insured, women's participation, number of surgeries performed etc) as well as development plans.

Angayan mahibaloan unsa ang Nagkahiusang Katawhan Alang sa Kasigurohan sa Maayong Panglawas sa Sta. Josefa (NAKKAMPAS)

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Support material (flipchart) explaining risk and vulnerability concepts, expenses due to illness and usual ways to cope with such expenses, like microinsurance.

Answering the Health Insurance Needs of the Poor:Building up Tools for Awareness, Education and Participation

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Appendix to the Report "The Likelihood of Enrolment: Evidence from Haryana."

Wed, 20 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This is the appendix to the report: "The Likelihood of Enrolment: Evidence from Haryana." It contains the questionnaire used for a survey conducted among the households of the Indian state of Haryana concerning the enrolment to "Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna" (RSBY), a voluntary, Government sponsored health insurance scheme for poor households started in April 2008. The aim of this survey was to analyze how socio-economic and demographic factors influence the enrolment to RSBY.

Application Form - Training: Scaling Micro-Insurance in Developing Countries

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Application form for the training: Scaling Micro-Insurance in Developing Countries

Appui au D�veloppement Autonome (ADA) (fran�ais, English, espa�ol)

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
ADA is a non-profit organisation based in Luxembourg. Since 1994, ADA has been working with Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) by offering them a unique combination of financial support and customised technical services.
MFIs working with ADA also gain access to a valuable network of public and private support organisations, alternative financial institutions, microfinance rating agencies and international development agencies.

Appui � la construction d'un cadre r�gional de d�veloppement des mutuelles de sant� dans les pays de l'UEMOA

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Appui � la d�finition d'un cadre de contractualisation entre les mutuelles de sant� et l'offre de soins

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Asia: Asian Micro-Insurance Network (AMIN)

Tue, 20 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

During the 14th Asian Regional meeting of the ILO (August-September 2007) the need to roll out social security to workers and their families in the informal economy, to migrant workers and to non regular workers in the formal economy was perceived as a major national social policy objective, and an important contribution to progressively realize decent work for all in all countries.
Several Governments have already committed and started to introduce progressive extension of social security benefits to all workers, and most particularly to the most disadvantaged groups of the population. In line with this, several new initiatives have emerged, among them health micro-insurance schemes, which are driven by a wide diversity of actors.
In this context, the ILO has developed an active advocacy role aiming at facilitating the design and implementation of the most appropriate health protection extension strategies and programmes. The Asian Micro-Insurance Network (AMIN) was set up according to these needs. The network has the following objectives:

bring together a group of micro-insurance practitioners willing to regularly sharing information and experiences;
develop a documentation process of on-going initiatives, innovations and achievements;
build up new technical capacities;
strengthen collaboration and active partnership
highlight and clarify issues, challenges and opportunities
organize new initiatives aiming to create a wider awareness and a stronger commitment on the need to extend social protection

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Description
The work of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aimed at improving the welfare of the people in Asia and the Pacific, particularly the 1.9 billion who live on less than $2 a day. Despite many success stories, Asia and the Pacific remains home to two thirds of the world's poor.
ADB is a multilateral development financial institution owned by 67 members, 48 from the region and 19 from other parts of the globe.

Asian experiences of the extension of social security coverage - focus on health care

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Asian Micro Insurance Network - AMIN (leaflet)

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The Asian Micro-Insurance Network has recently issued a brochure. The brochure briefly presents the network's background, describes its vision, mission, objectives, activities and what has been achieved so far relating to micro-insurance in the Asia region with the participation of AMIN. An invitation is offered to those interested in becoming a member of this active network.

Asian Micro-Insurance Network - AMIN (the website)

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

AMIN is a regional network of micro-insurance practitioners organised by 22 of the most important micro-insurance schemes in Asia in collaboration with the ILO/STEP Program.
Its main objectives are to set up an efficient mechanism allowing for the regular sharing of information and experience among practitioners from different countries; to develop the documentation process of various on-going micro-insurance initiatives, innovations and achievements; to build up new technical capacities for the various actors involved in micro-insurance activities; to strengthen the collaboration and active partnership among the various membership-based micro-insurance schemes; to highlight and clarify issues, challenges and opportunities related to the contribution of micro-insurance schemes to the extension of social protection to all and to organize new initiatives aiming to create wider awareness and a stronger commitment on the need to extend social protection.

ASSAP: Adapted Social Security Action Plan

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Associates form

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Association Internationale de la Mutualit� (AIM) (fran�ais, English, Deutsch)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The Association Internationale de la Mutualit� (AIM) is a grouping of autonomous health insurance and social protection bodies operating according to the principles of solidarity and non-profit-making orientation.

Association pour le Droit � l'Initiative Economique (ADIE)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Atelier de diagnostic et appropriation exp�riences contractuelles entre mutuelles de sant� et prestataires de soins

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Atelier de r�flexion sur l'�laboration de r�gles prudentielles pour les mutuelles sociales

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Atelier r�gional de concertation sur les avant-projets de r�glement sur les mutuelles sociales dans les Etats membres de l'UEMOA

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Bangkok Workgroup MIMIS

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Banking With The Poor Network (BWTP)

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The Banking With The Poor Network is a network of some 30 national policy institutions, commercial banks and NGO's from nine countries in Asia - namely Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The BWTP objective is to link microfinance with the financial system and to support the provision of inclusive financial services in Asia. It pursues this objective through capacity building, information sharing, policy dialogue, advocacy and research.

Base de donn�es des syst�mes de micro-assurance

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

be-cause health (English, fran�ais)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Be-cause health is an informal and pluralistic platform, which is open to institutional and individual members.
Institutional members are:
• Belgian academic institutions, services, schools for public health.
• Belgian medical (and related) development organisations, NGO's and study bureau's.
• Goverment services involved in medical development cooperation and international healthcare.
• Organisations and associations who do not necessarily have develoment cooperation as a prority, but whose mandates overlap with international healthcare.
An important aspect is that individuals too, involved in international healthcare and active in a Belgian context, can be a part of this platform.

BIM: Micro-assurance sant� et microfinance: quels liens? exemple du projet microassurance du Gret au Cambodge

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Brief overview of social security interventions in India

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

India is still facing the daunting challenge of providing some level of social security benefits to some 92% of the work force operating in the informal economy. One key distinctive feature of the Indian experience is the wide diversity of actors from both public and private sectors already found involved in extension initiatives. Another one is the commitment taken in 2004 by the Government of India in its National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP) to ensure, through social security, health insurance and other schemes the welfare and well-being of all workers, and most particularly those operating in the informal economy.

Brief overview on the different methods of health financing systems

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Building Security for the Poor: Potential and Prospects for Microinsurance in India

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Reducing poverty requires not just the generation of income among the poor, but also the protection of these incomes. Microinsurance offers innovative new ways to combat poverty in India through helping the rural poor systematically manage financial risks to their livelihoods and lives, this powerful study shows. And the microinsurance industry is poised to take off, just as microcredit did a decade ago: 90 percent of the Indian population – some 950 million people – are not covered by insurance and represent an untapped market of nearly US$2 billion. This enormous "missing market" is ready for customized life and non-life insurance, but first, serious mismatches between the needs of the insured and the insurers must be overcome, pitting priorities against profits.

Building up tools: Examples of baseline survey tools

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presents different tools utilized during the feasibility study process, such as interview forms, survey questionnaires, household survey questionnaires, guidelines for focus group discussions and technical discussions, etc. These tools allow to collect and analyse all reliable information and data to design or develop a micro-insurance scheme.
Presents some efficient tools that have been developed by other organizations and that can be easily adapted.

Building up tools: Examples of contracting tools

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

C102 Convention concernant la s�curit� sociale (norme minimum), 1952

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

C102 Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), is the flagship of all ILO social security Conventions, as it is the only international instrument, based on basic social security principles, that establishes worldwide-agreed minimum standards for all nine branches of social security: medical care, sickness benefit, unemployment benefit, old-age benefit, employment injury benefit, familiy benefit, maternity benefit, invalidity benefit, and survivors′ benefit. By June 2009, 45 countries have ratified the Convention.

C118 Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 (No.118) establishes rules on the equality of treatment of nationals and non nationals in social security, especially for migrant workers. By November 2008, 37 countries have ratified the Convention.

C157 Maintenance of Social Security Rights Convention, 1982

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The Maintenance of Social Security Rights Convention, 1982 (No.157) provides rules for the adoption of national legislation implementing the principles of the maintenance of rights in course of acquisition and of acquired rights fo migrant workers, in respect of all branches of social security covered by the Social Security Convention 1952. By November 2008, 4 countries have ratified the Convention.

C19 Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation) Convention, 1925

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

C2S2 Communities Cooperating for Social Security

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Cambodia: Cambodian Association for Assistance to Families & Widows (CAAFW) Community Health Insurance

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Cambodia: GRET "SKY" Health Insurance Programme

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Cambodia: SKY Health Insurance Scheme

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Can low-income countries afford basic social security?

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This document presents evidence that shows that low-income countries can afford a basic social protection package that provides:
(i) universal basic old-age and disability pensions,
(ii) basic child benefits,
(iii) universal access to essential health care, and
(iv) social assistance/100 day employment scheme.
This is on condition that the package is implemented through the joint efforts of the low-income countries themselves and of the international donor community. The document explains that the implementation of a basic social protection package can generate immediate benefits in terms of poverty reduction, pro-poor growth and social development. The document is based in a costing exercise undertaken in 7 countries in Africa and 5 countries in Asia.

Case Studies of Community Based Health Insurance Schemes in the Philippines

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Health care services are dependent not only on health care system supply factors but also on continued access to a balanced spectrum of health care for each member of the community, from the removal of financial barriers to seeking care. In many developing countries, government budgets for health have been significantly reduced leading to the implementation of mechanisms where government health care providers and institutions are allowed to apply user charges to all but the indigent population. In many of these developing countries, these services in public hospitals were the only source of care provided free of charge for the majority of the population. Moreover, in many countries the private health provider sector is to a large extent for-profit initiatives.
A system of user charges is currently being implemented in many developing countries as the mechanism to recover costs and augment decreasing government appropriations. However, the use of such a system has, over time, manifested some serious limitations. Poor families tend to delay seeking health care due to limited resources. User charges are generally a fixed amount for a specific service, and are therefore by nature not progressive. This amount may be an insignificant expense for some families but presents an excessive burden for others.
Many countries, like the Philippines, have also introduced social health insurance as part of a package of social protection measures to be provided for its citizens. The implementation of this program is usually done in phases, starting with the formally employed and salaried workers. However, a huge majority of its labor force does not fit into this category.
In response to the increasing need for access to health care services, a sizable number of communities and associations in the Philippines have implemented community-based initiatives to provide some social security for its members.
The case studies being presented are examples of such initiatives. The document presents studies on three health micro-insurance schemes, namely, ORT Health Plus Program in San Fernando, La Union; the NOVADECI Health Care Program in Novaliches, Quezon City and BICAO Investment Care & Administration Organization in Carmen, Bohol. The first two case studies are updates on the previous case studies done by the STEP Programme in year 2000. It deals more on the impact of the health micro-insurance schemes to the communities and lessons learned. BICAO is a very young scheme established by a cooperative of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

CBHI Implementation in Cambodia

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This is a Power Point presentation made by C�dric Salze, on behalf of the CBHI Implementer Network, at the Forum on Social Health Protection that was held on November 26 - 27 2008. This document presents the main results of community based health insurance (CBHI) in Cambodia.

CBHI Section of 2008 National Health Financing Report for Cambodia

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This is a section of the 2008 annual report on health financing of the Government of Cambodia, focused community based health insurance schemes (CBHI). A number of community-based health insurance schemes have been introduced in various parts of the country by a range of international and local NGOs. CBHI is based on the principle of risk pooling and pre-payment for health care. CBHI is non-profit, voluntary insurance mechanism based on the sale of low-cost insurance premiums that provide the purchaser and their family with coverage for health charges for a stated list of medical benefits delivered at contracted public health facilities.

Center of European and International Liaisons for Social Security (CLEISS)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
For 48 years, a help-desk in France for International Mobility and Social Security.

The Center undertakes three types of mission:
• A financial mission (checks and pays claims and debts relating to health care costs incurred by families, etc.)
• An advisory mission (informs about procedures in international agreements, French legislation; plays the role of coordinator between institutions and the Ministry charged of social security, etc.)
• A translation mission (legal, medical and administrative documents).

Centre for microfinance

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Microfinance in India is at an inflexion point with new generation Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and commercial banks driving scale rapidly. Innovation in terms of product designs, channel configurations and technology usage is rife in the Indian microfinance sector.
While the focus of microfinance in India has been largely on growing outreach, a need is increasingly being felt to evaluate existing interventions for impact and analyze program designs rigorously. If microfinance is to have an effective impact on the lives of the poor, practitioners need to better understand how financial products and services may be provided cost-effectively, and which programs work and which do not. CMF's research aims to catalyze and implement empirical research on the following issues: impact of access to financial services; contract and product designs; constraints to household productivity; combination of microfinance and other development interventions; cost and profitability of microfinance institutions (MFIs); people's behavior with respect to financial services; economics of micro-enterprises; effect of regulations. CMF is comprised of two complementary units: the Research Unit (RU) and the MFIs Strategy Unit (MSU). MSU, through its capacity building activities, helps CMF ensure that the results of its research activities are implemented properly on the ground.

CGSI consulting

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Changing the paradigm in social security. From fiscal burden to investing in people.

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The aim of this paper is to recapitulate the role of social security in economies and societies, to identify the approaching new challenges, and ultimately discern the policy responses, which will be needed to allow the ILO to assist its member States to optimize their national systems of social security within an overall Decent Work context.

CHeFA-EA – Community Health Financing Association for Eastern Africa

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

CHeFA-EA exists to facilitate sharing of information, knowledge and experiences that promote the growth of community health financing within Eastern Africa and beyond. CHeFA-EA is a forum through which various people exchange and gain knowledge to compare with their own methods and approaches hence promoting best practices.

China Development Report 2008/09

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The China Development Report is a comprehensive research report compiled and released regularly by China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), based on its efforts.

The report touches up themes of importance to China's economic and social development. This 2008/09 report is titled Constructing a Developmental Social Welfare System for All, which proposes to set up a social welfare system adapted to China's particular context and stage of development, and provides policy recommendations on the pension system, education, healthcare, employment, housing and minimum living allowance.

China: Towards universal coverage by the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Governement of China implemented the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance (NRCMI) in 2003. This is a community-based scheme that targets the rural population, it plans to give access to basic health care in the space of seven years. The Government has assumed a central leadership in policy, guidance, financing (highly subsidized system), design and implementation of the scheme. Membership is voluntary and benefit packages are generally focused on catastrophic-illness and inpatient-treatment.
The scheme is developing quite quickly, risk prevention and redistribution have improved thanks to the extension of resource and risk pooling. However there remain some concerns, such as the fact that costs are still too high for poor households (members have to pay 80 per cent of medical services); voluntary membership may open the door to adverse selection; since the scheme has not a health insurance system status, legal guarantee, supervision and quality control are hardly feasible.
Investigation on site may be needed in future, if a thourough and comprehensive evaluation is to be carried out.

Collaboration Agreement for Community Based Health Insurance Including Health Center

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Community based health insurance. Linking formal and informal mechanisms

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Presentation given at an ITC ILO Training session in Turin, March 2008 on the linkages between community based mechanisms and statutory schemes or national initiatives with an aim to extend health care coverage. It illustrates different linked schemes through examples from India, the Philippines and Colombia.

Community social protection and income security for households experiencing major illnesses including HIV/AIDS in selected communities around Phnom Penh

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The study aims to enable a better understanding of the role of the extension of social protection in health for poor households living in poor communities on the outskirts of Phnom Penh city, in Russei Keo district, examining socioeconomic impacts: for households that suffer from major illness in general, and for households that are HIV and AIDS vulnerable or positive in these communities in particular. By way of a quantitative and qualitative survey, the study attempts to document for the target population needs in terms of social protection and its probable impacts, with regard to: i) access to health care as a primary social protection mechanism; ii) access to HIV-related services; and iii) access to resources for livelihoods.
Some of the findings of the study show that, among the population in Russei Keo district (peri-urban), the level of poverty is not as high as in rural areas but is slightly higher than in the main urban area. A relatively high proportion of the population was found to have incurred debt over the past year, especially among the poor.

Community-based Social Protection System

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Community-based Social Protection System:

A global phenomenon
Origins and causes
Characteristics
Sectorial organization
Comparative advantages
Limits
Linked (articulated) systems
Agenda & International Consensus

Compte rendu-R�union

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Concept Paper on Need for Developing Micro-Insurance in India

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This paper sets out the objective and salient features of the proposed microinsurance regulations and invites comments on the various aspects of micro-insurance, before finalization and notification of the regulations.

Concertation Newsletter N� 19

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This issue is largely devoted to the 4th Concertation Forum, which was held in Dakar from 26 to 27 November 2007. The Forum brought together 300 attendants interested in the mutual health organization movement in Africa, as well as hosting the general constitutive assembly of the African Union of Mutual associations (UAM).
The 4th Forum provided the occasion for several countries to present their national experiences on the subject of mutual health organizations and their role in the extension of social security.
Another article is dedicated to the new inventory system based on web technologies. Now mutual health organizations can fill in an online form at any time; the information is automatically entered into a database thus allowing a permanent and regular follow-up of the development of organizations in the region. The database can also be downloaded by any user who should wish to exploit the data within the framework of a study, a paper or any other research project.

Conduct of a Feasibility Study

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
CGAP is a consortium of 33 public and private development agencies working together to expand access to financial services for the poor in developing countries. CGAP was created by these aid agencies and industry leaders to help create permanent financial services for the poor on a large scale (often referred to as "microfinance"). CGAP's unique membership structure and network of worldwide partners make it a potent convening platform to generate global consensus on standards and norms. As such, CGAP is a resource center for the entire microfinance industry, where it incubates and supports new ideas, innovative products, cutting-edge technology, novel mechanisms for delivering financial services, and concrete solutions to the challenges of expanding microfinance.

Consultor�a para "Dise�o y c�lculo de un ordenamiento ranking de entidades promotoras de salud"

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Consumer price index manual

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The consumer price index (CPI) measures the rate at which the prices of consumer goods and services are changing over time. Is is a key statistic for purposes of economic and social policy-making, especially monetary policy and social policy, and has substantial and wide-ranging implications for governments, businesses and workers, as well as households.
This important and comprehensive manual provides guidelines for statistical offices and other agencies responsible for constructing CPIs and explains in depth the methods that are used to calculate a CPI. It also examines the underlying economic and statistical concepts and principles needed for making choices in efficient and cost-effective ways and for appreciating the full implicaitons of those choices.
The following international organizations, concerned both with the measurement of inflation and with policies designed to control it, have collaborated on the preparation of this manual: the International Labour Office; the International Moneraty Fund; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat); the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe; and the World Bank.

Contractualisation entre les mutuelles de sant� et l'offre de soins au S�n�gal

Thu, 07 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Contribution of Mutual Health Organisations to Financing, Delivery and Access to Health Care

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Firstly, this document presents an estimate of the actual dimension and extent of the phenomenon known as mutual insurance schemes. Then, it examines the effective and potential contributions of these organizations in terms of resource mobilisation, efficiency, equity, improvement of the quality of and access to health-care, sustainability and democratic governance of the health sector. Lastly, it makes a series of recommendations intended for the various agents involved in the functioning and promotion of these types.

Cost of Illness: Evidence from a Study in Five Resource-Poor Locations in India

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Abstract from Micro Insurance Academy:

Background & Objectives: In India, health services are funded largely through out-of-pocket spending (OOPS). The objective of this article is to provide data on the cost of an illness episode and parameters affecting cost.
Methods: The data was obtained through a household survey carried out in 2005 in five locations among resource-poor persons in rural or slum India. The analysis is based on self-reported illness episodes and their costs. The study is based on 3,531 households (representing 17,323 persons) and 4,316 illness episodes.
Results: The median cost of one illness episode was INR 340. When costs were calculated as % of monthly income per person, the median value was 73% of that monthly income, and could reach as much as 780% among the 10% most exposed households. The estimated median per-capita cost of illness was 6% of annual per-capita income. The ratio of direct costs to indirect costs was 67:30. The cost of illness was lower among females in all age groups, due to lower indirect costs. 61% of total illnesses, costing 37.4% of total OOPS, were due to acute illnesses; chronic diseases represented 17.7% of illnesses but 32% of costs. Our study shows that hospitalizations were the single most costly component on average, yet they accounted for only 11% of total on an aggregated basis, compared to drugs that accounted for 49% of total aggregated costs. Locations differ from each other in the absolute cost of care, in distribution of items composing the total cost of care, and in supply.
Interpretation & Conclusion: Interventions to reduce the cost of illness should be context-specific, as there is no one-size-fits-all model to establish the cost of healthcare for the entire sub-continent. Aggregated expenses, rather than only hospitalizations, can cause catastrophic consequences of illness.
Available at Social Science Research Network - SSRN.

Costing of basic social protection benefits for selected Asian countries. First results of a modelling exercise

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

National social protection systems are a very powerful means of alleviating and preventing poverty and can help mitigate the adverse effects of chronic poverty. They provide protection against old-age and various life risks -disability, ill-health, unemployment, and occupational injury -through contributory social insurance mechanisms and social welfare programmes, including social cash transfer schemes for those who are particularly exposed to poverty risks. This report presents the calculation of the cost of basic social protection benefit packages, and their affordability in five Asian countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Vietnam for the period 2006 to 2034. This study offers a first estimate on the feasibility of basic social protection in low-income countries in Asia with a view to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Country Assistance Framework, DRC, Proposal on Health Care Financing

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The development of policy and implementation of a stable and sustainable health care financing mechanism has become an urgent need for DRC. The Draft Strategic Note for the Country Assistance Framework (CAF) has already noted the need for an increase in committed government funding, continued support from the development partners and review of the potential for expansion of social health insurance.

Courrier de la Concertation n� 17

Tue, 20 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Courrier de la Concertation n� 18

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Courrier de la Concertation n� 19

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Cours: Strat�gies pour l'extension de la Protection sociale

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Critical Appraisal of Micro Health Insurance Laws

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This article critically reviews the laws (and rules thereof) related to micro health insurance, with special reference to the rural and social sector obligations of insurers and the regulations governing the sector, including those of third-party administrators, in India. The underlying perspective is to serve those who are dependent on the informal economy for their livelihood and for whom expenses on health are a major burden.

Curso: T�cnicas actuariales aplicadas a la seguridad social para los funcionarios del Gobierno chileno.

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Danish Research Network for International Health

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

The Danish Research Network for International Health aims to strengthen the dialogue and interaction between research and development assistance in international health as a means of improving health in low-income countries, in line with the principles of Danish international development aid and the needs of partner countries in the South.

Designing and Implementing Social Transfer Programmes

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Summary

• Chapter 1 establishes the purpose and context for the guide and introduces the key issues. This chapter also provides an overview of the main options for social transfer instruments with various examples, and discusses the preconditions for social transfers.
• Chapter 2 deals with the influence of the institutional and policy context in the choice of social transfer instruments. It provides also a framework for selecting the appropriate set of social transfer instruments for a country.
• Chapter 3 defines the major policy issues affecting the design of a social transfer programme(management, target populations, payment arrangements, impact, monitoring and evaluation).
• Chapter 4 introduces the rationale for and debates concerning conditional cash transfer schemes. It discusses the key issues in designing and managing conditionalities that charaterise these programmes
• Chapter 5 focuses on the design of public works programmes (wage rates and payment arrangements, timing and duration of projects, targeting issues, project management, labour intensity, productivity, pro-poor impact of public works, etc.)
• Chapter 6 provides information about the implementaion of social transfer systems, and discusses issues regarding human resources, pilot programmes, accountability and security.
• Chapter 7 presents the basic techniques for monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment.

Deutsche Gesellschaft f�r Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) (English, Deutsch)

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The GTZ is an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations.
GTZ promotes complex reforms and change processes, often working under difficult conditions. Its corporate objective is to improve people's living conditions on a sustainable basis.

Developing a legal framework for mutual organizations in WAEMU Member States: a participatory process

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Developing social protection in Lao PDR

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Development Gateway Foundation (English, fran�ais, espa�ol)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Development Gateway Foundation's online resources portal for development information and knowledge-sharing worldwide.
DGF is an international nonprofit organization with the mission to reduce poverty and enable change in developing nations through information technology.
To this end, DGF provides Web-based platforms that make aid and development efforts more effective around the world. It focuses resources in three areas where even small investments in information and communications technology (ICT) can make a major difference:
• Effective governement;
• Knowledge sharing and collaboration;
• Local partner programs in nearly 50 countries.

Different perspectives on Social Health Insurance for Households in Cambodia

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Dossier on Legislation in India

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

While opening, in 1999, the insurance market to private players, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) in India, issued new regulations aiming to enroll all insurance companies in the government's efforts to extend social protection services to the disadvantaged groups of the population. A stipulated part of their portfolio had to be devoted to activities answering the particular insurance needs of the "rural" and "social" sectors. This new overall strategy relied on two cross-subsidy mechanisms applying respectively to public or private insurance companies.

Public insurance companies, while dealing with the poor, may have access to direct subsidies, allowing them to sell some products aimed at the poor, at very low prices. The subsidy mechanisms already available currently cover such risks as: life (trough Life Insurance Corporation), health care (through the four general insurance companies), crops and seeds (through the agricultural insurance company).
Private insurance companies, which have to comply (on penalty of fines) to the new regulations spelling out specific targets to be reached in a 5-year time span, while selling their products to the poor, are forced to use an internal cross-subsidy mechanism, whereby the costs of servicing the poor are partly covered by their mainstream insurance activities.

This text was extracted from ILO/STEP: 2005. Extension of social protection in India: experimenting with innovative solutions.

E-Discussion on Micro-Health Insurance for disadvantaged groups in India

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

El derecho a la salud para todos a luz de las condiciones macroecon�micas en Centroam�rica

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Elaboration d'un cadre l�gal sur les mutuelles sociales pour les pays de l'UEMOA: un processus participatif

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The article deals with the effort of WAEMU members in elaborating a legal framework for mutual organisations with the assistance of the ILO/STEP.

Eldis

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Eldis is one of a family of knowledge services from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), Sussex.
Its aim is to share the best in development policy, practice and research. It contains more than 22,000 summarised documents from over 4,500 development organisations - all available free to download.

Enqu�te du BIT sur la S�curit� sociale - Manuel 2005

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Ensuring the right to social security for ASEAN migrant workers through social security agreements

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This short paper acknowledges both the significant impact that migrant workers have on the economy (of their country of origin as well as of the country in which they are employed) and the disadvantages that migrant workers frequently experience in exercising their rights, in particular gaining access to social security coverage. Emphasis is laid on the vital role that social security agreements between ASEAN countries could play as a means of improving migrant workers' access to social security.

Entre-nous Acteurs N� 003

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Entrepreneurs de la Cit�

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Essential Health Links at AED-SATELLIFE

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Essential Health Links has joined our suite of resources to bring health information. Essential Health Links serves as a gateway to carefully selected medical, scientific, and public health websites, providing easy access to a wealth of information for health professionals, medical library communities, universities, students, publishers, and NGOs in developing and emerging countries.
Adapted for international use from a gateway originally provided by the University of Zambia School of Medicine Library, Essential Health Links resided at INASP for many years. Now welcomed to AED-SATELLIFE, Essential Health Links is an entr�e to information on upcoming conferences, evidence-based medicine, full text journals, image collections, medical education, clinical and public health topics.

Estudio sobre la extensi�n de la protecci�n social en Colombia

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Etendre l'assurance sant� au S�n�gal : possibilit�s � travers les r�gimes statutaires et les organisations mutualistes

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Etude de faisabilit� d'une mutuelle de sant� dans l'aire de sant� de Befang

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Etude de faisabilit� de syst�mes de protection sociale en sant� (SPSC) au Cap Vert

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Etude de faisabilit� de syst�mes de protection sociale en sant� (SPSC) au Cap Vert

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Etude genre dans la conception et la mise en place d'un r�gime de protection sociale agro-sylvo-pastorale au S�n�gal

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Etude IMT Anvers sur la faisabilit� de la mise en oeuvre de mutuelles de sant� en RDC

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

European Microfinance Network

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The European Microfinance Network (EMN) was launched in April 2003. The creation of this network has proved to be an essential step in the promotion of microfinance in the European Union, assisting the fight against unemployment and social exclusion through the development of microentreprises.
EMN includes both founding and added members, all of which are organisations involved in European microfinance issues. Members of the network are either Full Members, Associate Members or Corporate Members.

European Social Cooperation - Development (CSED)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
CSE Development analyses social protection systems of public agents in Europe.

Evaluating the impact of health care reform in Colombia: From theory to practice

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This article presents an evaluation of an ambitious health reform implemented in Colombia during the first half of the nineties. The reform attempted to radically change public provision of health services, by means of the transformation of subsidies to supply (direct transfers to hospitals) into a new scheme of subsidies to demand (transfers targeted at the poorest citizens). Although the percentage of the population having medical care insurance has notably increased, mostly among the poorest, problems of implementation have been numerous. It has not been possible to achieve the transformation of subsidies to supply into subsidies to demand. At the same time, competition has not made it possible to increase the efficiency of many public hospitals, which continue to operate with very low occupation rates, while receiving hefty money transfers. Subsidies increased demand for medical consultations, but have curbed demand for hospitalizations. Nonetheless, subsidies might have adversely affected female's labor market participation and even household consumption. As a whole, evidence suggests that the health reform has been effective in rationalizing households' demand for health, but not rationalizing public supply, and neither in increasing the efficiency of service providers.

Extending health insurance in Senegal: options for statutory schemes and mutual organisations

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Social security in Senegal covers less than 20 per cent of the population in terms of both personal and derived rights. The list of persons excluded also includes temporary workers and day labourers as well as workers in the informal sector.
Furthermore, it has transpired from studies conducted that the absence of protection is caused by problems of equity between protected workers and those who are not protected, which are related to the yield management strategies of undertakings related to international competition. A consequent challenge is that of finding relevant solutions that are balanced and that take account of the interests of all of the parties involved in labour relations.
Initiatives have been taken in Senegal, both at State level and in civil society, which have been designed to extend social security beyond the "formal" sector. These have included community initiatives developed since 1990 within the mutual health organisations (MHOs), offering separate coverage to essentially non-wage-earning population groups.
A survey conducted in May 2000 provided a better understanding of the socio-demographic characteristics of the persons concerned by social security in one way or another. The survey data reveal the needs in the social security field. The absence of contact with the social security institutions is to be explained by the lack of promotion and by the general lack of interest of the persons concerned. The overwhelming majority of the survey group wanted protection against short-term social risks -health, maternity, unemployment, employment injury- and some opt for coverage against long-term social risks - old age, disability and death. The problem is that the income of those desiring coverage gained from seasonal activities, and therefore cyclical in nature. The irregular income pattern and the relatively high contributions can prevent people from joining mutual organisations; on the other hand, when contributions are too low the mutual organisations do not ensure effective coverage of hospital care, which is costly for members. Furthermore, the mutual organisations generally lack negotiating power and do not have the management capacities for adopting the most efficient mechanisms for paying the service providers; 55 per cent offer only services relating to hospital care.
In the period from 1994 to 1998 the mutual organisations were extended throughout the various regions of the country. Their schemes, most of which are recent, are generally small or moderate in size in terms of membership. The mutual insurance activities concern only a small proportion of the population of the country. The likelihood of access to hospital services is greater when one is a member of a mutual insurance scheme than when one is not. Although very costly to cover, it is considered more advisable to focus efforts on financing life-threatening illnesses.
In conclusion, it is suggested that the State work together more effectively with the various institutions to create support services in order to complement statutory social security and voluntary insurance. The overall objective would be to involve the various trades, and then to focus efforts on developing a mutual-benefit savings and credit system (as a fundamental basis) and ultimately to incorporate social coverage (social services) into this system.
Furthermore, a solution would have to be found to the problem of financial barriers within the mutual organisations and the support structures.

Extending SHI to the Informal Sector of the Philippines

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

A Power Point presentation explaining the interaction of Phil Health with various organized groups in the Philippines. The main goal of these partnerships (called KASAPI model) consists in extending the SHI to the informal sector. For this purpose various organized groups (such as peoples organizations, NGOs, micro finance groups and cooperatives) commit themselves with the recruitment of new members and the collection of contributions while Phil Health provides the payment of the benefit and offers flexible premium rates that depend on the size of the group.

Extending Social Health Protection in the Asia-Pacific Region: Progress and challenges

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Extending Social Protection through Health Micro-Insurance Schemes to Women in the Informal Economy

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

As women are highly represented among informal economy workers - especially in poorer segments, in worse conditions or at lower or no wages - they most especially would benefit from social protection.
This paper seeks to present possible strategies for ILO's in extending social protection to women and men in the informal economy in the Philippines through gender-responsive health micro-insurance schemes.

Extending social security coverage in Africa

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This paper traces the development of social security in the continent and the links with colonial systems and concepts. It also identifies the elements which influence the development of social security and it highlights some country experiences which illustrate some level of success.

Extending social security. Policies for developing countries

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This paper reviews the main trends and policy issues with regard to the extension of social security in developing countries. It begins by defining the concept of social security, and it examines its linkages with the development process and its impact on poverty reduction. It then reviews the four main social security programmes, i.e. health insurance, pensions, unemployment protection and tax-based social benefits. It shows that in many middle-income countries, statutory social insurance can form the basis for the extension process. However, this is generally not so in the low-income countries, where only a small minority of the population is covered by social security. In particular for these countries, the paper pleads for experimentation with area-based schemes. It also recognizes the need for additional international financing of some basic social security schemes, if coverage is to be extended to everyone over the next 15 to 25 years. The paper also examines the gender dimension of the extension process. The paper concludes with outlining some key elements of national and international strategies. Social security should be recognized as a major instrument to deal with some of the negative social consequences of globalization. National policies should consist of improving and reforming statutory social insurance programmes, of promoting community-and area-based social insurance schemes, and of enhancing cost-effective tax-financed social benefits. At the international level, there is a need for a few simple indicators on social security coverage, for advocacy measures to get social security at the top of the development agenda, for experimentation with new mechanisms to reach workers in the informal economy, as well as for knowledge development and technical assistance. Many of these elements will be included in the "Global campaign on social security and coverage for all" that the ILO is to launch at the beginning of 2003.

Extending social security: Challenges for Cape Verde

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Cape Verde gained its independence from Portugal in 1975. Initially, it was governed as a one-party state and the economy was largely controlled by the public sector. Social policy followed the welfare state model and in spite of limited natural resources a comprehensive range of social benefits was provided by the State. In 1991, the country underwent radical political change in response to an economic recession. The first multi-party elections were held and economic reform followed political change. The private sector tripled in size so that by 1997 there were over 6,000 private enterprises employing 30,000 workers. Social security policies have remained a Government priority in spite of a fragile economy in which unemployment is structural and accounts for 20 per cent of the economically active population. This corresponds with specific obligations set out in the 1992 Constitution, which establishes that everyone shall have a right to health care regardless of economic status and to social security with respect of a range of contingencies where there is incapacity for work. Government policies have however moved away from the welfare state model and are based on the notion that the State should not be the sole source of social security and that the private sector and civil society should play an important role. Thus, social insurance schemes financed by contributions from employers and workers have been established for private sector workers; they provide benefits in respect of old age, invalidity, survivors, maternity and employment injury, and there are additional allowances for children. There is a separate scheme for civil servants and for employees in the banking sector. The study notes the role of the Government as the basic guarantor of social security and the significance of its programmes for the poor who represent 30 per cent of the population. A non-contributory social security scheme provides cash allowances for those unable to work, and enrols those that can, in intensive public works programmes. But attention is drawn to the need to extend the scope of the social insurance scheme to the selfemployed and the informal sector. Devising suitable social security arrangements for these excluded groups remains an important challenge.

Extension de la Protection Sociale dans le domaine de la Sant�

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Extension of microfinance and microinsurance for informal women workers

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Extension of social protection for women micro entrepreneurs in Burkina Faso

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Extension of social protection in India: overview of the present situation

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Extension of social protection in India: the contribution of health micro-insurance schemes

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In recent years, health micro-insurance has emerged in India as an essential tool for removing the financial barriers allowing for easier access to quality health care services. Based on a 2005 update of a national inventory prepared in 2003-2004 by ILO/STEP, the present document provides an overview of the various health micro-insurance schemes currently found operational in India as well as a very first assessment of their present and potential contribution to the overall extension strategies still to be fully designed at the national level.

Extension of social protection to transport operators in Senegal

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The transport operators' trade unions are actively involved in the design and implementation of a social health insurance scheme that aims to cover all transport operators and their families (ie 400 000 people).

Extension of Social Security

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Outline of the presentation:
1. Historical development of risk management strategies
2. Social security schemes
3. Social security coverage in Thailand
4. Dynamics for coverage extension
5. Key issues in designing schemes for informal economy
6. Rough classification of countries covered by ILO-SRO BKK
7. Country examples: Thailand, Lao PDR and Cambodia

Extension of social security coverage for the informal economy in Indonesia

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

There is no single solution to extend the coverage of social security to the informal economy workers. To this goal, the report proposes a combination of the following three options: Extending the existing statutory social security schemes; Creating a special scheme for the informal economy workers; and Encouraging the development of micro-insurance schemes.

Extension of Social Security to BPL Workers

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Within the framework of the new Minimum Social Security Programme targeting the unorganized workers, the Government of India released the guidelines to the implementation of the new health insurance scheme called Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) which targets in the first phase the below poverty line workers and their families - about 300 million people, encouraging various State Governments to implement it. Responding positively, almost all State Governments in India are now committed to be part of this Central Government sponsored initiative.
The launching of the scheme on such a large scale provides new opportunities for the various organizations working at the grassroots level. Organizations such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), microfinance institutions (MFIs), trade unions and all forms of organized groups such as co-operatives and self-help group federations, may now play an active role through effective partnership arrangements to be developed at all levels in each State.
The ILO Subregional Office for South Asia and the GTZ strengthened their collaboration in this process and have provided technical support to a new national platform called Communities-Led Association for Social Security (CLASS), which involves some 30 organizations already leading micro-insurance activities.
The present document, prepared under the CLASS initiative, provides an overview of the main features and operational mechanisms of the health insurance scheme. It assesses its development potential in the various States and reviews the main opportunities and challenges, especially in relation to the efficient partnership arrangements that may be seen as a key element for the successful implementation of any health insurance scheme targeting the poor.

Faisabilit� de la mise en oeuvre de Mutuelles de Sant� en R�publique D�mocratique du Congo

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Faisabilit� et suivi-�valuation

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Fiji:Extension of coverage of the Fiji National Provident Fund

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Filling the Gap of Social Security for Migrant Workers

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The present study discusses the practical problems linked to the extension to migrant workers and their families of social security coverage and entitlements. It further examines the strengths and weaknesses of international conventions and social security agreements concluded for such purposes in recent years, and suggests ways and means by which better protection of migrant workers and their families can be achieved, particularly in the absence of ratification of relevant Conventions or conclusion of social security agreements by migrant-sending and by migrant-receiving countries.
This study will focus more closely on the right of regular migrant workers to social security, than the needs, which are nevertheless important, of "irregular" migrant workers.

Finance et Solidarit� (Finansol) (fran�ais, English, espa�ol, portugu�s)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
www.finansol.org is the unique French portal allowing anyone to discover French Social and Solidarity finance systems. It provides rich and up-to-date information on the sector and answers any of your questions on this particular topic. This webpage let our non French speaking friends to find out more about Social and Solidarity financial systems and their French specificities through the presentation of the network Finansol. Links towards similar European and international institutions will allow you to get more information on actions realised within this field in your country.

Financement du r�gime subventionn� en Colombie

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Simplified diagramme describing the funding sources of the subsidized health insurance scheme in Colombia. (In French)

Finances sociales

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Financing social protection

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Designing social protection systems that are effective and equitable as well as fiscally, financially and economically efficient has been a challenge for many countries. Offers a comprehensive overview of the many financing options available while also provides a thorough analysis of their advantages and disadvantages and their financial and economic implications. The most important task of social protection systems is to alleviate and prevent poverty. The book presents a "methodological toolbox" from which social protection planners, managers and social policy analysts can work.

Focus Group Discussion Guidelines: Identifying the Social Protection Priority Needs of Cooperative Members

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Food Inflation in Pakistan

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Formation de formateurs et promoteurs en gestion administrative et financière des syst�mes de micro assurance sant� en Afrique

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Formation du CIF BIT: Strat�gies pour l'extension de la protection sociale

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Formulaire de candidature

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

French Development Agency (AFD)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The French Development Agency (AFD) is a financial institution that is at the heart of France's Development Assistance policy. Its mission is to finance development.

From strength to strength: SEWA insurance

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

F�d�ration Fran�aise des Soci�t�s d'Assurance

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

G-NEWS No. 1

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

G-NEWS is the quarterly newsletter of GIMI which is available in English, French and Spanish and gathers relevant information about the extension of social security and about microinsurance. It describes recent initiatives (new systems, studies, etc.); presents trainings, workshops and conferences; highlights key resources; identifies new sites and events on the web and proposes a feature article.
G-NEWS is a collaborative product based on your contributions. You can share your experiences in a space dedicated to this on GIMI ("Community news") or send an e-mail to gimi@ilo.org.

G-News No. 3

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

G-NEWS is the quarterly newsletter of GIMI which is available in English, French and Spanish and gathers relevant information about the extension of social security and about microinsurance. It describes recent initiatives (new systems, studies, etc.); presents trainings, workshops and conferences; highlights key resources; identifies new sites and events on the web and proposes a feature article or interviews.
G-NEWS is a collaborative product based on your contributions. You can share your experiences in a space dedicated to this on GIMI ("community news") or send an e-mail to gimi@ilo.org.

G-News No. 4

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

G-NEWS No. 4

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Issue No. 4 of the G-NEWS notably presents:

the latest news and resources issued by the ILO's Social Security Department
a wide range of upcoming events related to microinsurance and social security taking place all over the world
courses and training programmes designed for professionals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills in the field of social security
the latest developments on the GIMI and GESS platforms aiming to increase interactions between users
an article exploring the "diagonal financing" approach to health services in developing countries including case studies of Rwanda and Burkina Faso
an interview with Franck Droin of Kadris Consultants exploring recent trends in the health and social protection sector

G-NEWS is a collaborative product based on your contributions. Share your experiences in the "Community news" section of the GIMI or GESS platforms or send an e-mail to gimi@ilo.org or to gess@ilo.org.

G-NEWS No. 4

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

G-NEWS No.2

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

G-NEWS is the quarterly newsletter of GIMI and GESS platforms, which is available in English, French and Spanish and gathers relevant information about the extension of social security and about microinsurance. It describes recent initiatives (new systems, studies, etc.); presents trainings, workshops and conferences; highlights key resources; identifies new sites and events on the web; proposes a feature article and interviews.
G-NEWS is a collaborative product based on your contributions. You can share your experiences in a space dedicated to this on GIMI and GESS("Community news") or send an e-mail to gimi@ilo.org or to gess@ilo.org.

Garantir un socle de s�curit� sociale

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Gender equality and the extension of social protecion

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Gender is rarely used as a differentiating lens by which to understand more fully the various experiences and ramifications of the social protection agenda. This paper takes as its starting point the overwhelming evidence that women occupy a disadvantaged status in relation to work opportunities when compared to men from equivalent social groups, and that they are also far more likely to be excluded from the sphere of social protection strategies.
It is thought that female exclusion from such strategies is due to three main factors: an increasing casualization and feminization of the labour force; life cycle events; and gender-neutral effects that are likely to more severely impact women.
Adapting the idea of a hierarchy of social protected labour, it is believed that the extent that gender-related vulnerabilities are experienced is intimately related to the location in which workers find themselves in the labour market. This concept is further enhanced by the specific constraints that they experience as women and by gender biases in the institutional environment. Thus, attempts to extend social protection must first analyse the composition of the labour market within any one country and its relation to social protection.
A variety of successful social protection programmes and experiences are evaluated with the aim of recommending ways to extend social protection, in particular to women of working age. Based on commonalities that we identify across successful social protection programmes, it is recommended that future efforts to extend social protection initiatives should take these factors into account. Furthermore, due to lack of data and comprehensive research, impact evaluations on the range of social protection programmes for women need to be conducted.

Gess & GIMI, web platform, Overview

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

GESS brochure

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Leaflet presenting the Internet platform "Global Extension of Social Security" – GESS.
GESS is a multi-service tool intended for all stakeholders in the field of global social security extension – decision and policy-makers, regulators, researchers, trainers, and managers and operators of social security schemes.
GESS:

provides a continually updated information and knowledge base;
develops a critical vision of current knowledge, making it easier to identify knowledge gaps and what the new development priority axes may be;
offers collaborative workspaces meant for experts, research fellows or fieldworkers to produce joint material, share experiences and innovations, conduct research projects, further follow major extension projects worldwide.

Ghana - Social Security Schemes for Health

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Summary
The national health insurance act (2003) introduced a national compulsory social health insurance scheme covering all persons resident in Ghana. The scheme is operated through mutual and private health insurance schemes; it is supervised by the National Health Insurance Council; a National Health Insurance Fund provides subsidy to district mutual health insurances. The sources of money of the fund include a health insurance levy (VAT of 2.5% on selected goods and services), 2.5% of each person's 17.5% contribution to the Social Security and Pensions Scheme Fund, money allocated from the Parliament, as well as grants and donations. The scheme was covering nearly 30% of the total population in 2006.

GIMI and GESS within the department's activities

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Global campaign on the extension of Social Security for all

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Topics:

The Global Campaign in retrospect
Situation and trends in social security coverage
Challenges
A new strategy
Issues for discussion

Global Information on Microinsurance

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Global Information on Microinsurance - GIMI

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Glosario de t�rminos de seguridad social (Inlg�s - Franc�s - Espa�ol)

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

More than 800 terms on the field of social security. Each term with its equivalent in the two other languages. Alphabetical order based on English terms.

GRET SKY Health Insurance Program of Cambodia

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Objectives of SKY Health Insurance
• Secure the assets and incomes of vulnerable Cambodian households by limiting the economic consequences of large health expenditures.
• Facilitate and encourage access for these households to quality health care, both at primary and secondary levels, to prevent severe health risks.

A GRET project supported by the German Technical Cooperation GTZ, funded by the French Development Agency, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union, ILO and IFC/SME World Bank, in partnership with the Cambodian Ministry of Health and Swiss Red Cross.

Groupe Associatif CIDR

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

GTZ-ILO-WHO-Consortium on Social Health Protection

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The Consortium's focus so far has been on carrying out conceptual work on policies and tools, technical cooperation at country level, policy dialogue at regional and international level and capacity development through seminars, workshops and international conferences (e.g. legal support, fiscal advice). Country advice in Yemen, Kenya, Indonesia and Cambodia; capacity development in Guinea, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Philippines; applying of social budgeting; development and application of the financial simulation tool SimIns in Kenya, Vietnam and Yemen, and the joint hosting of the Berlin Conference on Social Health Insurance in Developing Countries and Philippines Conference Extending Social Health Insurance to the Informal Economcy Workers.

Guide de gestion des mutuelles de sant� en Afrique

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Guide to pretesting for microinsurance

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This document sets out the rationale and criteria for pretesting microinsurance products and concepts and offers techniques for pretesting.

Gujarat: Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Harvard school of public health program in health care financing

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: Report to the Government, Feasibility study on the Implementation of a Maternity Cash Benefits Scheme

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This Report looks at the feasibility of implementing a maternity cash benefits scheme and thus extending the effective scope of the current social insurance programme in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, in accordance with existing legal commitments. The Report focuses on the nature and coverage of paid maternity leave. Based on consultations with Jordanian stakeholders (Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Finance, Social Security Corporation and the Advisory Committee to the Working Women's Department of the Ministry of Labour, Employers' and Workers' Organisations) and taking into account the relevant maternity protection provisions under the current Labour Code, it aims at providing a sound basis for decision making regarding the establishment of a fair and affordable maternity protection scheme in Jordan.

HDI and its components in Pakistan

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

HDI and its Components in Pakistan (2)

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Healing Fields Foundation (case study)

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Healing Fields Foundation is a non profit society based in Hyderabad, India. Healing Fields has developed an innovative linked scheme involving several players: a private insurance company, 19 NGOs, a network of 39 hospitals and a service integrator (namely Healing fields). The objective is to provide social protection coverage including a health component and a personal accident component to the informal economy and rural workers. The project started in 2005 and was supported by USAID. In 2007 the scheme was covering 22 415 people.

Healing Fields plays several roles:

1) HF designs the benefit package

2) HF develops the network of hospitals and negotiates with them a discounted rate for the treatment of selected illnesses using Diagnostic Related Groups (DRGs) (75% deduction) and a cash less payment system (when a patient arrives at the hospital he/she only disburses 25% of the treatment cost as co-payment). HF facilitates the hospitalization and claims process with facilitators that provide assistance to the patients at the hospital level.

3) HF has developed a network of NGO partners that promote the product, facilitate communication and awareness raising among the communities, enrol members, collect the premiums and membership forms.

4) HF invests a tremendous amount of time in providing the NGO's and members with health care and prevention education. HF has also reduced some public health risks through claims analysis (e.g. Typhoid cases).

5) HF contracted with a private insurance company and endorses several functions (marketing and sales, management of enrolment and renewals, maintenance of health profiles for each member, claims management).

Within this innovative linked scheme, interesting and replicable ideas have been introduced such as:

1) Nurse manned dispensaries. In one of the tribal areas where the nearest network hospital is about 60Km away from the hamlets, the partner NGO runs the dispensary with nurses. A list of 9 diseases can be treated at this level and the nurses refer the patients to the partner hospital for complicated cases. The creation of the dispensary has increased accessibility of care to the community and helped in reducing the cost of care.

2) Saheli concept. Members from the community are given an intensive training on the product, policy and health education. They then communicate on the product across their hamlets and receive a fee of Rs.10 for every enrolment. The Saheli concept helps with accessibility and overcoming communication barriers in these remote tribal areas.

3) Prevention of epidemics through claims management. Monitoring of claims helped to identify 4 typhoid cases from the same geographical area. Healing field's medical management team immediately notified the local public health officials who closed down the water source. This prevented further infections.

4) A strong "Client servicing". In each network hospital a facilitator accompanies patients in consultation with a doctor, handles the pre-authorization process and sends all relevant information and documents to facilitate the claims processing. Member feedback is also captured through post hospitalization visits (on the 3rd day and on the 10th day after the patient is discharged from the hospital) and through two types of surveys (a patient satisfaction survey and a post insurance survey).

However Healing Fields faces several challenges that need to be overcome in the coming years:

1) Cost of administration is very high and it will be necessary to find ways of reducing the cost of delivering of the programme.

2) Renewal rates (15%) are very low with great differences between NGOs (rates vary from 0% to 71%).

Health and social protection: experiences from Cambodia, China and Lao PDR

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Download the document from ITG Press
Download the document from Povill

Health Care Financing in the Context of Social Security

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In view of increasing cost pressures, this paper aims to provide guidance to national EU policy-makers faced with the challenge of reconciling financial sustainability of health systems with the safeguarding of the key underlying values of these health systems; namely universal coverage, solidarity in financing, equity, efficiency and quality of care.

The paper provides an overview of the current state of health care financing in the European Union, identifying broad trends and evolutions that have occurred since the 1990s. An annex to the paper offers descriptive summaries of healthcare financing in each of the EU member states.

The first part of this paper seeks to clarify the nature of the sustainability problem, laying emphasis on the distinction between economic and fiscal sustainability. The second and third parts provide analysis of a variety of current financing arrangements in terms of both their ability to fulfil health financing functions and in terms of their commitment to the "policy goals" or key values considered vital to uphold health systems as developed by the WHO. Identifying the different stages of the healthcare financing process; from the initial collection of funds to pooling to the purchasing of health services and finally coverage of the population, this paper highlights the variables affecting key values at each stage. On the basis of this analysis, it is argued in this paper that public financing of healthcare is superior to private financing on three accounts: in terms of sustainability, contribution to the value of equity and in terms of efficiency.

The fourth and final part of the paper provides general policy recommendations drawn from the conclusions of the analysis.

Health care in China: The role of non-government providers

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

While China's health services are primarily financed by out-of-pocket spending (private financing), health care providers, especially the hospital industry, are still dominated by state ownership and government control (public provision). Even though the private sector plays an increasing role in the ambulatory sector, private services are not included in the social insurance benefit package, and thus, it primarily serves self-paying patients. The ambiguity of the government policy toward private provision stems from concerns that an increasing private sector would drive up costs and its services may be of questionable quality. This paper tries to gather evidence on the relative performance of private and public sector in China. Neither literature review nor our primary data analysis provides any support for the notion that the private sector charges a higher price and they serve primarily the better-off people. Quite on the contrary, available data seem to suggest that not only the private sector tends to serve disproportionately the low-middle income groups (this may well be due to its relative lower direct and indirect costs), consumer satisfaction also seems to be higher with regards to certain dimensions of the private than public sector.

Health Economics and Financing Programme (HEFP)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

The Health Economics and Financing Programme (HEFP), located within the Department of Public Health and Policy of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, produces and disseminates knowledge to improve the performance of developing country health systems. Its staff have internationally recognised expertise in health economics and policy analysis, and a strong track record of high quality, policy- relevant research in areas crucial to strengthening health systems to meet the MDGs. HEFP has long-term links with Southern research partners, built up over many years of collaborative research. Its staff are experienced in working with policy-makers at both national and international levels, and are active in international initiatives and networks such as the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, the Disease Control Priorities Project, Equinet and Roll Back Malaria.

Health Insurance in low-income countries

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This joint NGO briefing paper provides a critical analysis of different forms of health insurance as mechanisms for the financing and provision of healthcare coverage to people living in poverty.

In view of the current debates on the role of health insurance as a key means of financing healthcare in low-income countries, this paper urges for caution on the part of donors and governments; arguing that if a government fails to implement the necessary accompanying measures and to mobilise adequate resources, health insurance mechanisms may even have an adverse effect on the equity and efficiency of healthcare schemes.

This paper suggests that the current practice of assessing insurance schemes in terms of the advantages they bring to their particular membership fails to account for their impact on entire populations, and in particular on people living in poverty who cannot afford prepayments. A revision of evaluation criteria is needed, with greater attention being paid to 'vertical equity' i.e. differential access according to people's different needs in recognition of the existence of vulnerable groups. Insurance schemes should be measured in terms of their contribution to the ultimate end of providing universal access to quality healthcare.

The forms of health insurance discussed in this paper are: Private Health Insurance (PHI), Private for-profit Micro Health insurance, Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) and Social Health Insurance (SHI). Examining each form of health insurance against the revised criteria in turn, this paper seeks to present what are considered to be the practical challenges confronting each mechanism, giving evidence drawn from case studies of low-income countries (and to a lesser extent those of higher-income countries) in each instance. The third part of this paper discusses the importance of national commitment to public spending on health and the crucial need for global solidarity.

Health Micro-Insurance Schemes. Feasibility Study Guide. Volume 2: Tools

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

in order to ensure the sustainability and viability of a health micro-insurance scheme, it is important to define its characteristics in terms of its particular context. The feasibility study is a key contributing factor – though not the only one – to the success of a scheme;
the promoters involved must have a coherent set of methods and tools at their disposal in order to carry out this type of study.

Health Micro-Insurance Schemes: Feasibility Study Guide - 1 & 2

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This guide provides with important contributions to the literature on health micro-insurance schemes. Its main objective is to encourage promoters and operators and support their efforts to conduct a systematic feasibility study prior to the establishment or further development of a scheme.
The term "health micro-insurance" encompasses a wide variety of schemes. These include: mutual health organizations, which are autonomous associations based on the solidarity and democratic participation of their members; insurance schemes, which are organized and managed by health care providers; health insurance schemes set up by other actors, such as NGOs, microfinance institutions, cooperatives or trade unions.
Actually, in spite of their dynamic nature, health micro-insurance schemes, in general, are quite fragile. They do not possess the hindsight and experience needed for an accurate determination of the financial risks they face. The financial safeguards of such schemes – reserves, reinsurance – and their promoters' level of competence in the area of insurance are presently still limited.
Given such a context, the foundations of these schemes –that is, the assumptions upon which they are based – must be particularly firm. A scheme will have greater chances of surviving, and subsequently of developing, if it is well designed from the outset. Therefore, conducting a feasibility study appears to be essential.
The impetus for producing this guide grew out of two observations:

in order to ensure the sustainability and viability of a health micro-insurance scheme, it is important to define its characteristics in terms of its particular context. The feasibility study is a key contributing factor - though not the only one - to the success of a scheme;
the promoters involved must have a coherent set of methods and tools at their disposal in order to carry out this type of study.

Health Microinsurance - A Comparative Study of Three Examples in Bangladesh

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Health Microinsurance Schemes. Monitoring and Evaluation Guide. Volume 1: Methodology

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

A revised version of the French Guide de suivi et d'�valuation des syst�mes de micro-assurance sant�, tomes 1 et 2, mainly produced for French-speaking countries in Africa. This version is adapted to the reality of countries in East Africa and Asia.
The guide has two objectives: to strengthen the capacity of managers to monitor and evaluate their health microinsurance schemes (HMIS); and to strengthen the capacity of technical and financial support agencies and private insurers to assess the viability and performance of the HMIS. It consists of two volumes.

Part I of Volume 1 presents the main definitions and basic concepts.
Part II deals with the subject of administrative and technical monitoring - based on the major functions of insurance management - as well as with budget and cash flow monitoring.
Part III deals with evaluating the viability of health insurance viewed as a financial instrument, through the use of a series of quantitative and qualitative indicators.
Part IV deals with evaluating the institutional viability of the HMIS.
Part V offers some indications for assessing the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of an HMIS, merely providing some pointers to users interested in this kind of assessment.

Volume 2 contains practical indications for completing tables and calculating indicators described in Volume 1.

The guide was produced by the "Strategies and Tools against social Exclusion and Poverty" (STEP) programme of the Social Security Department of the ILO. The French version was jointly produced with the Centre International de D�veloppement et de Recherche (CIDR). The English version was produced thanks to the financial support of the governments of Belgium, Flanders and Switzerland. It is based on the contribution of field practitioners and international experts and the collaboration of numerous actors involved in the development of health microinsurance schemes.

Health Microinsurance Schemes. Monitoring and Evaluation Guide. Volume 2: Practical indications

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Part I of Volume 1 presents the main definitions and basic concepts.
Part II deals with the subject of administrative and technical monitoring - based on the major functions of insurance management - as well as with budget and cash flow monitoring.
Part III deals with evaluating the viability of health insurance viewed as a financial instrument, through the use of a series of quantitative and qualitative indicators.
Part IV deals with evaluating the institutional viability of the HMIS.
Part V offers some indications for assessing the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of an HMIS, merely providing some pointers to users interested in this kind of assessment.

Volume 2 contains practical indications for completing tables and calculating indicators described in Volume 1.

Health Microinsurance Schemes. Monitoring and Evaluation Guide. Volumes 1 & 2

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Part I of Volume 1 presents the main definitions and basic concepts.
Part II deals with the subject of administrative and technical monitoring - based on the major functions of insurance management - as well as with budget and cash flow monitoring.
Part III deals with evaluating the viability of health insurance viewed as a financial instrument, through the use of a series of quantitative and qualitative indicators.
Part IV deals with evaluating the institutional viability of the HMIS.
Part V offers some indications for assessing the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of an HMIS, merely providing some pointers to users interested in this kind of assessment.

Volume 2 contains practical indications for completing tables and calculating indicators described in Volume 1.

Health Mutual Funds setup with Pune Slum-dwellers. An access to health for the poorest

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Health Protection in Jharkhand: An experiment...

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In August 2005, a delegation from Jharkhand contacted the International Labour Organization and requested its technical support for the design and setting up of a new health insurance scheme that was planned to cover all the population of the State living on income below the poverty line. Upon receipt of a first concept paper prepared by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Health Society of Jharkhand, ILO carried out a first preliminary assessment mission in Jharkhand in September 2005.

Health Strategic Plan for Cambodia 2008-2015

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Health Strategic Plan 2003-2007 (HSP1) was launched in August 2002 and presided over by the Prime Minister of Cambodia. Health officials at all levels of the health system together with other relevant national, international stakeholders and community have implemented the plan toward achieving the Cambodian health related Millennium Development Goals by 2015.The Second Health Sector Strategic Plan 20098-2015 (HSP2) is based on experience gained from both strengths and weaknesses of the implementation of the HSP1. It aims at addressing health needs of the population during the eight coming years by using the opportunities offered by the Government of Cambodia, as the improvement in health status of all Cambodians is recognized by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) as a priority for investing national resources in the social sector.

HMI: Protected by Health Micro-Insurance

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This information brochure is intended for the general public. It presents health micro insurance schemes using cartoons, thus making them accessible to illiterate people.

HMI: Protektado ka sa Health Micro-Insurance

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This information brochure is intended for the general public. It presents health micro insurance schemes using cartoons, thus making them accessible to illiterate people.

HMI: Protektado ka sa Health Micro-Insurance (Visayan version)

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This information brochure is intended for the general public. It presents health micro insurance schemes using cartoons, thus making them accessible to illiterate people.

ICT ILO Training Programme: Strategies for the Extension of Social Protection

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The International Labour Office's International Training Centre in Turin, Italy organises a training programme from 26th November to 7th December on "Strategies for the Extension of Social Security.

ICT in Micro-insurance industry

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Microcare Insurance Ltd is a licensed insurance company in Uganda under the Uganda Insurance commission and specializing in health insurance. Microcare developed a user-friendly information program for the micro-insurance industry to collect data and to manage their systems in a more easy way. The system can handle millions of client profiles and thousands of health service providers. The objective of the system is to guarantee 'the right person gets the right treatment at the right place for the right cost'.

Identification et faisabilit� en micro-assurance sant�: d�marche et outils

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Summary
To design a microinsurance mechanism requires to make choices on pathologies to be covered, premium amounts, linkages with health services, and so on. Due to a lack of reliable references, a real experimental step is often necessary.
Within the framework of SKY Project experience in Cambodia, this paper proposes some methodological reference marks to identify and study the feasibility of microinsurance projects around three major fields: public health policies, health care supply, households' practices and socio-economic level.

ILO & Government of Jharkhand partnership

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Short description of the ILO & Government of Jharkhand partnership concerning health care for the poor population.

ILO position on the IAIS-CGAP paper on regulation and supervision of microinsurance

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The ILO was involved in the joint working group CGAP-IAIS that was in charge of drafting the Issues paper on regulation and supervision of microinsurance. This document defines the position of the ILO: it approaches microinsurance from a social protection point of view.

ILO Social Security Inquiry 2005 Manual

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The objective of the ILO Social Security Inquiry is to collect statistical data on social security around the world. This includes social security expenditure and receipts of social protection schemes as well as data on protected persons, recipients of social benefits and benefit amounts.

The manual gives an overall presentation of the survey, guidelines on which data to collect and definitions of terms and concepts.

ILO Standards Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers to Social Security

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

• The Equality of Treatment (Accident Compensation) Convention, 1925 (No. 19), which specifically establishes the right to equality of treatment for foreign workers of any other State which has ratified the Convention, in respect of workmen's compensation for industrial accidents; Convention No. 19 also provides for the export of benefits of foreign workers covered by the Convention, however, only in case, the ratifying State provides for such export of benefits for its own nationals;

• The Equality of Treatment (Social Security) Convention, 1962 (No. 118), which provides for the right to equality of treatment with regard to all nine branches of social security. For each of the nine branches that it accepts, a State party to the Convention undertakes to grant within its territory to nationals of any other State which has ratified the Convention equality of treatment with its own nationals. But it also provides for some flexibility permitting exclusions of non-nationals in case when benefits or parts of benefits are payable wholly out of public funds. The Convention further provides for the maintenance of acquired rights and the export of benefits. In essence, a State party to Convention No. 118 has to ensure the provision of benefits abroad in a specific branch for its own nationals and for the nationals of any other State that has accepted the obligations of the Convention for the same branch, irrespective of the place of residence of the beneficiary; and

• The Maintenance of Social Security Rights Convention, 1982 (No. 157), and Recommendation (No. 167), which institute an international system for the maintenance of acquired rights and rights in the course of acquisition for workers who transfer their residence from one country to another, and which ensure the effective provision of the benefits abroad when they return to their country of origin. Under this Convention, the maintenance of acquired rights has to be ensured for the nationals of other States parties to the Convention in any branch of social security in which the States concerned have legislation in force. Within this context, the Convention provides for the conclusion of bilateral or multilateral social security agreements. In addition, the Recommendation contains model provisions for the conclusion of such agreements.

ILO/ISSA/AIM Study on linkages between statutory social security schemes and community based social protection mechanisms to extend coverage

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The concern about low coverage rates by social protection is widely shared in India. This study explores the potential for coordination, cooperation and other linkages between statutory social security schemes and community-based social protection mechanisms in order to broaden coverage more effectively. The statutory schemes have often been successful in covering formal sector workers. The community-based schemes, on the other hand, have reached out to the occupational groups, rural workers, and disabled members of community who are not covered by State-sponsored welfare programmes. This paper maps out strengths and weaknesses of statutory social security schemes and non-State social protection mechanisms. Opportunities for value added are identified. The range of social security schemes are extremely wide; therefore, in order to keep discussion focused, particular attention has been paid to health, old age, and survivorship.

ILO/ISSA/AIM study on linkages between statutory social security schemes and community based social protection mechanisms to extend coverage

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Income Security for the Elderly and not-so-elderly in the Asia-Pacific Region

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The first part of this paper summarises the underlying theory and values behind the policy and programmes advocated by the ILO in the field of social security, presents the role of ILO conventions and recommendations and offers a survey of the different actors that have a role to play in developing and facilitating social security coverage.
The following variables affecting approaches to social security provision are discussed:
-Economic trends; (in particular the growth of the informal economy) their impact on the structure and nature of the workforce
-The rate of demographic transition in a country; in particular the rate of the ageing population trend

The second part of the paper offers an Asia-Pacific regional perspective; broadly identifying the specificities of different countries within the Asia-Pacific region in terms of their economic and demographic characteristics, current policy approaches to social security provision, the forms of social security provided and the mechanisms by which social security is financed and delivered in these countries. Particular attention is given to the question of pensions in view of demographic change and the need to address the potential for deficiencies of social security coverage as a consequence of migration.

The third part of the paper is devoted to the identification of areas of deficit or gaps in social security coverage or access across countries in the Asia-Pacific region, while the fourth part makes the case for the extension of social security coverage as an imperative, irrespective of conditions of fiscal constraint. As such this final part of the paper identifies major considerations for policy-makers relative to the choice of terms upon which social security access should be provided, offering commentaries on some of the distinctive policy approaches adopted by countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

India - Presentation at the Round Table on microinsurance regulation, hyderabad, 19 februari 2005

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presents the market environment of microinsurers, different types of incorporation, issues for regulation, specific problems with draft regulations, the role of reinsurance, conclusions and proposed actions.

India Guidelines: Health Insurance Scheme For The Unorganized Sector Workers

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

India: A provident fund for unorganized workers

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Provident Fund set up in West Bengal provides a good example of a tailor-made pension mechanism allowing a wide range of unorganised sector workers to access old-age benefits. This scheme was set up following a wide consultation process with various trade unions and professional associations, demonstrating the need to involve all stakeholders in the design phase of any new social security programme. The unorganised sector in India constitutes 94% of the total workforce of the country. At the beginning of the year 2006, a total of 676,000 workers were enrolled in the scheme.

India: an inventory of micro-insurance schemes

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

At present, it is considered that more than 90 per cent of the Indian population still does not benefit from any kind of social protection. Being not protected against the various risks they face on a daily basis, broad segments of the population remain caught in a continuing cycle of vulnerability and poverty. However, a growing perception of the necessity to extend social protection to all excluded groups has recently been observed in India, together with a wider commitment to actively contribute to this extension through various strategies, including the promotion on new micro insurance schemes. As a direct result, numerous actors of the civil society (community based organisations, women's groups, informal economy trade unions, NGOs, micro finance institutions, etc.) have already designed and set up in-house tailor-made micro insurance schemes, to answer the priority needs and contributory capacity of their target groups. Also, recent regulations issued by the Central Government, allowed for both public and private insurance companies to intervene in this new sub-sector and to tie up with various development and grassroots organizations for the provision of new insurance products to the disadvantaged groups. The present inventory identifies 60 micro insurance schemes in India, from which 51 are currently operating.

India: Dairy Co-operatives Health Insurance Scheme (Rajasthan)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Rajasthan Co-operative Dairy Federation (RCDF) was set up in 1977 as the implementing agency for dairy development programmes in Rajasthan.
One of its main objectives is to carry out activities for the economic development of animal husbandry / farming community. In addition to this, the co-operative provides also technical inputs, capacity building, erection of dairy, chilling plants etc for the unions, providing assistance and guidance to members and addressing issues of importance to their members.
Besides services such as life insurance and cattle insurance, the RCDF developed in collaboration with the ICICI a health insurance scheme to provide health cover to its members. The scheme was launched in January 2006.
The dairy co-operative movement operates on a three tier system wherein farmer members own Dairy Co-operative Societies which own district milk producer's unions. The unions collectively own the RCDF, which is a State level apex co-operative organization.
Developing efficient partnership arrangements is already seen as a key element for the successful implementation of any health insurance scheme targeting the disadvantaged groups. Evidence also suggests that building efficient linkages between community-based initiatives and government programmes in order to exploit their respective strengths is another major requirement.

India: Employer based Health Protection mechanisms - a plurality of arrangements

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

India: examples of large scale schemes

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

India: Extension of maternity protection: Initial assessment of Janany Suraksha Yojana (JSY) in Orissa

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

By examining the practical adaptation of the national JSY maternal and neo-natal health scheme guidelines to the state of Orissa, this case study report provides an insight on the concrete functioning of the centrally-sponsored Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) scheme; a division of the National Rural Health Mission which took effect in April 2005. Orissa had been identified by JSY as one of ten "low performing states" with an institutional delivery rate of below 25%.

India: Health Insurance Scheme for handloom weavers

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Indian Textiles Industry has an overwhelming presence in the economic life of India: it accounts for 14% of industrial production, 4% of GDP and 16.6% of the country�s export earnings. Within this industry, the handloom sector is one of the largest employers in India, providing employment to about 6.5 million people. Under the Ministry of Textiles, the Office of the Development Commissioner administers various schemes for the promotion and development of this highly dispersed sector and also provides assistance to handloom weavers and their families. It succeeded in covering the health of over 1 million people in its first year of operation and has now become the second largest health insurance scheme in India covering 1.7 million families, which represents over 6 million people. The insurance plan has still to address geographical or hospital networking challenges but the development of efficient linkages has created important synergies and has led the scheme to serve as a new model for future interventions. Thus in March 2007, an exact replica was launched in pilot mode for handicraft artisans.

India: Linkages between national and community-based schemes

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presentation of some mechanisms of extension of health protection in India, the challenge of financing micro-insurance, linkage experience, ILO's contribution (knowledge development, capacity building, advocacy) to the extension of social protection.

India: Municipality of Indore Health Insurance Scheme (Madhya Pradesh)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

India: Self-Employed women's association insurance scheme (Gujarat)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Self-Employed Women�s Association (SEWA), registered since 2006 as a trade union, has developed an innovative and promising approach. It represents the interests of some one million poor women working in the informal economy, and covers 194,000 people, 80% of them living in Gujarat State. SEWA�s aims are to organize women workers to attain full employment security and to make them individually and collectively self-reliant, economically independent and capable of making their own decisions. The risks covered are the following: health, life, accidental death, assets and maternity. SEWA has it own bank and an innovative insurance scheme called VimoSEWA. Currently the insurance plan still has challenges to face such as increasing health benefits, shifting from individual to family enrolment, reducing administrative costs, etc.

India: State Government sponsored Health protection programme (Jharkhand)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

India: The extension strategy

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

India: Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Care Scheme

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Although highly successful in enrolling new members and in the setting up of a delivery mechanism allowing poor people to access quality health care services, the scheme has not yet fulfilled all the conditions securing its long-term sustainability. The scheme continues to be under strain, one major challenge being to find ways to curb the ever-increasing level of adverse selection affecting its interventions.
While entering its fourth year of operation, the scheme has introduced new benefits into its insurance plan (normal delivery, angioplasty...) and has considerably expanded its health provider network with the additional entry of some 120 new facilities.
Given the importance of these new initiatives, a new in-depth assessment of the situation and development perspectives of the scheme was deemed necessary.

India: Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Scheme (Karnataka)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Yeshasvini scheme was conceived in 2002 as a huge effort to extend access of health care services to the poor. The problem of access was linked to the impossibility for the poor to pay for the expected services.
To overcome this problem a private Trust was set up, regrouping several prominent public and private individuals. The Trust approached various insurance companies around the implementation of the scheme. However, low profitability and high risk lead to little interest from these companies. The Trust opted for a self-funding scheme.
The Yeshasvini scheme developed then a farfledged linkage experience, which proved to be successful enough to become, as early as in Year I of its operations, India's largest health micro-insurance scheme.
Since then, the scheme has succeeded to enroll around 2 million people, providing surgical interventions in increasing number, OPD interventions, help desk to assist policyhholders, and some other services.
As of today, the Yeshasvini scheme remains confronted with major challenges such as finding appropriate ways to reduce the adverse selection phenomenon and broadening the scope of benefits provided to its members. Although still not the perfect working model to be used for replication in other States, it already demonstrates how effective a broad linkage model proves to be in applying practical solutions to the implementation of a very large health insurance scheme.

India:State Government sponsored community health insurance scheme (Andhra Pradesh)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Indonesia: Conditional Cah Transfer to the poor

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Indonesia: Extension of social insurance coverage to the informal economy

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

In Indonesia, there is a large unmet need for social security in the informal economy; which encompasses around two-thirds of all workers. This document aims to provide a basis for the formulation of policy for the extension of contributory social security coverage. The extension of coverage is feasible, provided that it is viable to develop a scheme that is flexible - meeting the true needs of informal workers-, affordable - especially because informal workers have low and irregular income and consequently a limited contributory capacity-, sustainable, well marketed and comprehensible. Moreover it is necessary to raise awareness of the social security concept in a context in which health insurance is the highest priority for both urban and rural areas.

Indonesia: Implementation of the national social security law

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

In 2004, the Indonesian Parliament approved a major legislative achievement providing a basic framework for the development of a national social security and social assistance system. The law stipulates the principles and goals of the National Social Security System supervised by a Council and concerning programmes to cover five major policy areas: health insurance, employment injury, old-age, pensions and death benefits. Employers have the obligation to enrol their employees in the social security schemes and to jointly pay the contributions. Moreover it is stipulated that the Government will provide social assistance to the poor. Consequently this law is supposed to be a major step forward in the development of a comprehensive national social security system in Indonesia. However, so far it has failed to give meaningful impact except for covering the poor. Moreover, the law does not mention the transition measures from the existing segmented schemes to the ultimate system, nor does it mention other points concerning provisions, administration, and coordination. These issues need to be addressed if the system is to be implemented efficiently.

Indonesia: Providing Health Insurance for the poor

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Information and communications technology (ICT) social security project management

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This manual was created for social security executives and ICT Project Managers, from all countries, irrespective of the current status of their ICT systems or the type of social security system in place. Its aim is to create more systematic approaches to project management in order to improve success rates and consistency in social security responses and the ICT required. By reviewing and analyzing projects, the manual also discusses ways to identify and reduce risks specific to ICT projects and draws lessons on ten key aspects of project management:

• Project definition
• Project Manager (PM)
• Stakeholders' involvement
• Communication strategy
• Training
• Planning and managing human resource issues
• ICT project management and risk management
• Technology
• Project control and monitoring
• Assessing project progress - Independent project review

Information for Development Program (infoDev)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

infoDev is a partnership of international development agencies, coordinated and served by an expert Secretariat housed in the Global ICT Department (GICT) of the World Bank, one of its key donors and founders. It acts as a neutral convener of dialogue, and as a coordinator of joint action among bilateral and multilateral donors–supporting global sharing of information on ICT for development (ICT4D), and helping to reduce duplication of efforts and investments. infoDev also forms partnerships with public and private-sector organizations who are innovators in the field of ICT4D. Priorities and strategies for infoDev are guided by a governance framework, approved by infoDev Donors in June, 2005.

Initiative D�veloppement (ID) (fran�ais, English)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Development Initiative is a generalist NGO established in 1994 in Poitiers. At the end of 2005, ID was conducting 24 development programs in eight countries to help program populations improve living conditions.
ID programs are based on two complementary strategies, which are generally conducted simultaneously in one geographic area:
• A service strategy, which aims to meet basic needs such as water, health, and education.
• An economic strategy for more secure and increased incomes of target groups through microcredit and development of agricultural systems.

Innovation Grant application guideline and form

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Microinsurance Innovation Facility, a partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will help promote decent work for millions of low-income people in developing countries. To support the emergence of valuable insurance coverage to protect the working poor, over the next five years (2008 to 2012) the Facility will engage in four sets of activities:
1. Offer innovation grants to stimulate new ideas and test new approaches to providing better products to un- and under- served markets
2. Create a market for technical assistance (TA) by supporting the development of TA providers while at the same time co-financing the demand
3. Conduct research to analyze the impact that insurance has on the risk-managing capacity of poor men and women, and identify models of success
4. Disseminate lessons learned among key stakeholders
Attached are the application form and guidelines for the Innovation Grants from the Microinsurance Innovation Facility. Prospective applicants should send the application form by email to microinsurance@ilo.org

Institute of Public Health Management (IPHM)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Institute of Public Health Management (IPHM) is a non-stock, non-profit institute committed to making a difference in the health of Asian populations by developing professional, competent, and socially responsible public health managers and leaders.
The IPHM is composed of a multi-disciplinary team of social development experts, development managers, and policy analysts committed to creating health-enhancing systems.

Insurance for the Poor (IfP) Program

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Insurance for the Poor (IfP) Program – Financial and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency of the World Bank – follows a market enhancement approach, recognizing that market failures can create sub-optimal wealth allocation and that private sector coordination is not always effective. Its main objective is to support insurance solutions that, among others:

Can be included in a comprehensive financial strategy (savings, credit)
Can be scaled up by means of synergies (such as public-private partnerships)
Either directly benefit the target group or indirectly help the poor by working with intermediaries, such as insurance companies or governments (for example, disaster insurance).

Insurance products provided by insurance companies to the disadvantaged groups in India

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This study is an attempt to identify and document the various insurance products provided by insurance companies to the disadvantaged groups in India. Information on six public and twenty private insurance companies have been included, together offering 83 insurance products. All the data were obtained through the insurance companies using questionnaires, promotional materials, websites, previous studies, etc. The study is intended for the development operators working in this field; it especially allows them to play a more efficient role in the promotion of new insurance services and thus contributing to the extension of social protection to the excluded groups.

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, India

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This text was extracted from ILO/STEP: 2005. Extension of social protection in India: experimenting with innovative solutions.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

A long-standing initiative of the Latin American countries, the Inter-American Development Bank was established in 1959 as a multilateral finance institution for the development of the region. Its loans and grants help finance sustainable economic and social development projects and support strategies to reduce poverty, expand growth, increase trade, investment and regional integration, and promote private sector development and modernization of the State.
The IDB's programs and tools became the model on which other regional and subregional multilateral development banks were created. The IDB, the oldest and largest regional bank in the world, is the main source of multilateral financing for economic, social and institutional development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The IDB Group is composed of the IDB, the Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF). The IIC focuses on support for small and medium-sized businesses, while the MIF promotes private sector growth through grants and investments.

Interaide (fran�ais, English)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Founded in 1980, Inter Aide is a French non-governmental organization that specializes in the implementation of development programmes.
The goal is to support the most underpriviledged families in developing countries by helping them build the capacities to meet their basic needs.

International Alliance for the extension of social protection

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The International Alliance is a network that includes the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the most important international federations and organizations representing the cooperative and mutual insurance sector.They are all active in the area of extending social protection in the world and share a common vision, values and principles. Altogether they give voice to the interest of more than one billion members in more than 180 countries.

International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF) is a long established and unique global organisation representing cooperative and mutual insurers from around the world.
With 184 members (in turn making up more than 400 distinct organisations) in 70 countries it is the voice of the sector. Through the delivery of a distinct range of dedicated member services the Federation aims to be actively involved with members and key external influencers, thereby creating a sustainable environment for the cooperative and mutual insurance industry ensuring its growth and prosperity.

International Development Research Centre (IDRC)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a Crown corporation created by the Parliament of Canada in 1970 to help developing countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic, and environmental problems they face. Our support is directed toward creating a local research community whose work will build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions (INAFI-LA)

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

International Social Security Association (ISSA)

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Description
The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is an international organization which essentially brings together institutions and administrative bodies dealing with one or more aspects of social security in different countries of the world, namely all forms of compulsory social protection which, by virtue of legislation or national practice, are an integral part of the social security system of these countries.

Interview of C. Jacquier on the role of health mutual organizations in the extension of social security

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Interview of M Cichon on a Social Security floor

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Interview with Michael Cichon, Director of the Social Security Department of the ILO. As the World Social Security Forum is to be held in Moscow in September, the ILO, through its Global campaign for Social Security and Coverage for All, promotes the idea of a social security floor, a strategy aimed at achieving Millennium Development Goal N� 1 on halving poverty. It is also a case for early investment to reach the 80 per cent of the world's population that lacks adequate social protection.

Interview of V. Schmitt-Diabat� on the role of mutual health organizations in the extension of social security

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Interview with Anna Lucila A. Asanza

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Interview with Annal Lucila A. Asanza, social security expert and physician with more than ten year experience in the Philippines

Interview with Franck Droin of Kadris Consultants on the Extension of Social Health Protection

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Interview with Franck Droin of Kadris; an independent French consultancy agency operating at the international level specialised in strategy and management in the fields of health and social protection. The interview provides an overview of current developments in the health and social protection sector across a range of developed and developing countries and concerning a variety of different actors. Emphasis is laid on the importance of linkages between different actors as well as on the potential for using the knowledge and skills acquired in one country in a different context and part of the world.

Interview with Sunil Silva

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Interview with Sunil Silva, Independent Non-Profit Organization Management Professional. Chairman of YASIRU MUTUAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY LIMITED Created in 2001 - Sri Lanka

Introducing Social Health Protection for the Garment Sector

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This document presents a new Health Insurance Project (HIP) co-managed by the textile employers' association (GMAC) and a French NGO (GRET) is being launched and may bring considerable progress towards social security in the field of health in Cambodia. This is a three-year program financed by AFD and covering work-related health risks of textile workers and their families, thus involving about a third of the Cambodian population. The HIP is an experimental programme aimed at creating the health branch of social security in Cambodia. Some staff members of the National Social Security Fund are to be integrated in the programme and the Ministry of Employment had agreed to give its cooperation.

Introduction aux plateformes internet du programme BIT/STEP

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Inventaire des syst�mes d'assurance maladie en Afrique: synth�se des travaux de recherche dans 11 pays

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This document is a synthesis of the main results of the second inventory done by the Concertation in 2003 (results of the first inventory, 2000, as well as country reports are available in Concertation site).
At present, Concertation works on collecting and updating data to create a more homogeneous database that will allow comparative studies.

Inventory of Micro-Insurance Schemes in the Philippines

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The Inventory aims at identifying the main community-based micro-insurance schemes currently operating in the Philippines. The study seeks to identify and provide basic documentation on these schemes in various sectors, including: (i) health care, (ii) life insurance, (iii) accidents, (iv) asset insurance, and others. For purposes of the Inventory, micro-insurance schemes are defined as those organised and managed by community-based organisations, cooperatives, health service providers, NGOs, trade unions, micro-finance institutions, and others for workers in the informal economy, people excluded from insurance coverage in the formal economy, and the poor and marginalized. The scope of the Inventory covers the Philippines as a whole, providing a basic profile and summary information listing of as many schemes as could be identified during the term of the survey (mid-November 2003 – end-March 2004). It is anticipated that the information will be useful for organizations and programs actively engaged in the promotion of micro-insurance in the Philippines. Findings may also prove useful for comparative studies of micro-insurance among several countries or programs of international agencies.

Irish Forum for Global Health

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

The aim of the Irish Forum for Global Health is to contribute to improvement in the health of individuals and populations globally by creating networks that will promote research and education and advocate for investment in global health.

Is a social security floor affordable?

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Structure of the presentation

Point one: Social security is a Human Right
Point two: Social security is a social necessity
Point three: Social security is an economic necessity
Point four: Basic social security for all is fiscally affordable
Point five: A new policy paradigm
Point six: What next?

Is microinsurance a relevant instrument in the extension of social protection?

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presentation of chapter I.3 "The social protection perspective on microinsurance", by C. Jacquier, G. Ramm, P. Marcadent, and V. Schmitt-Diabat�, in Protecting the poor: A microinsurance compendium, C. Churchill (�d.), pp. 45-62.

Issues in regulation and supervision of microinsurance

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The paper, released by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) and the Consultative Group for Assisting the Poor (CGAP), identifies issues and challenges in developing an enabling regulatory framework for promoting microinsurance in line with the IAIS Insurance Core Principles (ICPs). Microinsurance is defined as insurance that is accessed by low-income population, provided by a variety of different entities, but run in accordance with generally accepted insurance practises.

Supervisors and other microinsurance promoters (such as insurers, governments, donors, consumer lobbies) in many jurisdictions increasingly realise that a more conducive and enabling regulatory environment is required for the development of microinsurance.
This paper explains the current state of microinsurance which is being developed for the low income population on the basis of prudent insurance business principles; its important role in developing inclusive financial systems particularly in emerging markets, and why it needs to be regulated and supervised along professional lines.

Biases and barriers are not always obvious to the regulatory bodies due to long-standing unexamined practices.

The Issues Paper aims at outlining salient features of microinsurance in general, and of its regulation and supervision as an input for high-level expert discussion among regulators, supervisors and other stakeholders involved in the provision of insurance services for lower-income segments. It does not provide recommendations of any kind for the supervisors to follow. It recognises that the ICPs are the foundation of all insurance supervision, including microinsurance. Even though microinsurance has different features in many regards, a change in ICPs is not foreseen. It is rather the criteria on how the ICPs are interpreted with specific reference to microinsurance that may be subject to certain adjustments. A closer examination and analysis of different unique aspects and a continuous dialogue with supervisors will assist in determining the key principles in the regulation and supervision of microinsurance. This shall form the basis for justifying adaptations to the regulatory framework and also to develop standards and guidance.

The primary audience of this paper are insurance supervisors, particularly IAIS members in developing countries, who are responsible for supervising entities licensed under insurance laws. Consequently, the impact of the social welfare system on microinsurance is not discussed in this paper. However, the ILO Social Security Department and the STEP Programme does advocate their vision of microinsurance as a tool for extending social security.

Joining the forces of public institutions, Civil Society and business communities in the implementation of social rehabilitation measures for low income families and vulnerable groups

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The development of 'Programme for social rehabilitation of low income families' by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Azerbaijan is a good period to list and to analyse all available resources and set up the endowment for the coordination of social actions between different stakeholders.
As it was highlighted by the majority of stakeholders, in Azerbaijan the lack of resources is clearly not the major impediment in the organisation of social rehabilitation of vulnerable groups and low-income households. The mobilisation of resources depends on political will. At the same time the lack of coordination between different actions and different stakeholders is observed. Often, the sponsors and donors select themselves the target groups according to their own vision of the population deserving the help without getting the information from competent rganisations. The help is often provided without real analysis of needs of low-income population and vulnerable groups.
The main institutional proposal of this paper is to organise the Rayon Steering Committee for Social Rehabilitation (SCSR) which can be a body bringing together the representatives of all relevant stakeholders and controlling the implementation of Local Master Plan for Social Rehabilitation (LMPSR).
First paragraph proposes the methodology for the mechanism of organisation of collaboration between different stakeholders in organisation of social rehabilitation measures (and broadly speaking social services) adapted to the specific poverty pattern of every region.
Second paragraph discusses the methodology for development and implementation of Local Master Plan for Social Rehabilitation.
Finally, the last paragraph presents the free examples of actions which can be implemented in the pilot regions. In order to limit the scope of pilot actions the decision was made to put a specific emphasise on the development of measures addressing the children form the lowincome families.

Juntos. Red para la superaci�n de la pobreza extrema

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Kadris

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

KADRIS Consultants is an independent consulting firm specializing in the following sectors: Health Insurance, Disability Insurance, Pensions and Retirement, Pharmaceutical, Healthcare, and Social Welfare.
Created in early 2001, our firm's (40 employees today) activities are divided into four different areas: Strategy consulting, Organisational process management, Project management, Risk Management

Karnataka: Swayam Krishi Sangam Health Scheme

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Karnataka: Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Scheme

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

KaSAPI extending PhilHealth's coverage to workers in the informal economy, Philippines

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Kashf Foundation

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Kashf's mission is to alleviate poverty by providing quality and cost effective microfinance services to low income households, especially women, in order to enhance their economic role and decision-making capacity. It is based in Pakistan.

Key issues of legislation on microinsurance in the social protection field

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Summary
The Key issues series gathers short texts (two pages) that offer a synthetic vision of the state of knowledge about a specific theme: legislation, linkages, etc.
These texts entail:

a synthetic presentation of the current state of knowledge and the identification of knowledge gaps;

the presentation of initiatives that allow to reduce these gaps, such working groups that gather experts; launching of research projects, experimental projects, and concrete actions in the field.

links to different on-line resources and collaborating tools to go deeper into the topic; these links will take you to GIMI platform or other web sites.

This issue discusses the importance of legislation on microinsurance in the social protection field.
It points out the advantages of a legislative framework adapted to microinsurance:

It increases the protection of the insured

It enhances the development of microinsurance institutions and increases the viability and sustainability of these institutions

Thanks to the regulation, governments may recognize the role of these institutions in the fight against poverty and the extension of social protection

Kit du formateur pour la conduite d'�tudes de faisabilit�

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Know all about HMI: Health Micro-Insurance

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Support material (flipchart) explaining risk and vulnerability concepts, expenses due to illness and usual ways to cope with such expenses, like microinsurance.

Knowledge sharing workshop on social protection for vulnerable groups

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Workshop programme, presentations (PowerPoint) and working groups:

KSK Microfinance company

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

L'acc�s � la protection sociale et aux soins de sant� pour tous

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

L'Assurance maladie en Afrique francophone

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

L'attrait, le pi�ge de la micro-assurance: pourquoi les IMF devraient travailler avec les assureurs

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

L'audit interne dans les entreprises d'assurances: "enjeux et sp�cificit�s"

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This document deals with the importance of internal audit in the insurance sector. It gives an overview of the tasks that an internal audit team should accomplish. It also provides examples of tools that an internal audit team can use in an insurance company.

L'int�gration de la couverture du risque maladie dans le cadre du renforcement du syst�me de sant� et de la probl�matique de son financement en RDC

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

La asistencia t�cnica

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

La diversification de l'offre en microfinance

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

La gestion de projet de Technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) dans la s�curit� sociale

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

La micro-assurance de sant� dans les pays � faible revenu

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

La mutuelle de sant�: la pr�voyance et la solidarit� pour une meilleure sant�

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This information brochure is intended for the general public. It presents the characteristics of mutual health insurance schemes as a comic strip, which makes it applicable for use among illiterate people and facilitates complementary awareness-raising activities such as theatrical sketches, role plays, poems, etc.

La politique �conomique du Cambodge

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This document contains the speech delivered by Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Secretary General, Ministry of Economy and Finance, at the Royal University of Economic Sciences and Law in Phnom Penh, 17 November 2006. In his speech, Dr. Naron shares some thoughts on economic policy and macroeconomic development in Cambodia. It focuses in particular on the challenges Cambodia faces in its development. In this spirit, he speaks of industrial policy needed for sustainable economic growth.

La probl�matique de la protection sociale en Afrique

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Labour market insecurities in China

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Many central government's unemployment policies have confronted failure in local implementation because they don't take in account the embedded ness of lay-offs within the welfare arrangements. Local governments are playing a crucial role in creating transitional arrangements for laid-off workers to deal with welfare issues.

Lao PDR: Social Security

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Presenting first of all the key geographic, demographic and socio-economic features of the Lao PDR, this paper provides a detailed examination of the terms and conditions of social security provision under the two main Statutory Social Security Schemes operating in the country; the system for public sector employees and the system for private sector employees. These systems are compulsory and contributory and are administered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

The paper also provides an overview of the current role and organisation of the Community Based Health Insurance system targeting informal workers (over 80% of the population) under the Ministry of Public Health. The possibility for the development of a Health Equity Fund (HEF) designed to finance CBHI cards for poor families is mentioned.

Le Cambodge � l'entr�e du XXI�me si�cle

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Now at peace, after several bloody decades, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia. While surrounded by powerful and influential neighbors such as Thailand and Vietnam and submitted the growing role of China, this country's development indicators are far below global average. Proud of its past and still committed to traditional values, Cambodia must take full advantage of this period of peace and regional dynamism to invest in the future and foster economic and social development. A better governance, sound management of natural resources and priority given to education, health, human capital and to a dynamic new generation should enable the country to find the path to development. During his trip, the friendship group delegation, which came to the country eight years after a journey of the same type, could observe the progress made by the country, the will of the Cambodians to move forward, but also many issues to resolve.

Le Rwanda : Cas particulier d'une assurance sant� pour tous

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Learning from experience: Health care financing in low- and middle-income countries

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This report reviews health care financing in low- and middle-income countries and offers a framework to assess the performance of a health care financing system and make it more equitable, efficient and sustainable by optimizing the three main functions of health care financing: revenue collection, pooling of funds and purchasing. To facilitate drawing from the experience of other countries, the publication presents a range of country case studies that highlight some of the factors that have contributed to the successful set-up and implementation of these functions. A user-friendly fold-out table summarizes at a glance international experience in the performance of these functions in terms of feasibility, equity, efficiency and sustainability.

Les Institutions de Microfinance doivent-elles proposer des services d'assurance?

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Lessons Learned and Recommendations for Donors Supporting Microinsurance

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This Note provides an overview of current donor approaches for supporting microinsurance, synthesizes key lessons, and offers operational guidance to donors that are considering launching or already implementing microinsurance programs. It offers a framework that is general enough to be applied in various contexts, recognizing the diversity in approaches that different donors take.

Linkages between statutory social security schemes and community-based social protection mechanisms Philippines

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This study gives a background on the Philippines describing its demography, government and economy, the present health care system and the labour force and the informal economy. Then it discusses the different statutory and community-based social protection schemes describing their membership coverage, financing mechanisms, benefit packages and developments over the last decade. Section 3 describes the existing linkages between statutory and community-based schemes focusing on experiences during implementation and on its strengths and weaknesses. And section 4 focuses on the findings of identified schemes from which most of the recommendations and suggestions for improvements are based on.

Linkages between statutory social security schemes and community-based social protection mechanisms: A new approach

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The extension of social security is very urgent for those most exposed to health and accident risks, such as informal economy workers: The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that every year, 100 million persons enter into a vicious circle of ill health and poverty due to health care costs.

In order to extend social security, policymakers have several options to choose and mix from: Social health insurance, tax-financed universal health care systems, private health insurance, community-based and micro-insurance schemes financed by contributions or taxes. None of them is ideal, as they all have context-related advantages and disadvantages, as indeed the issue of extension is best addressed through customized programs using coherently all the complementarities of these options.

This paper intends to both underline the high potential of coverage extension strategies that build on linkages between various extension mechanisms and to respond to the existing gap of both empirical and conceptual considerations on linkages.
It focuses on statutory social security (SSS) schemes and community-based social protection (CBSP) mechanisms in order to develop a typology of potentially promising linkages between these types of mechanisms. Both SSS schemes and CBSP mechanisms have each their specific advantages and disadvantages in terms of their capacity to cover different types of population groups in developing countries. Linking the two in order to compensate for their respective weaknesses and to exploit their respective strengths therefore appears to have important potential.
And indeed, this paper provides innovative empirical examples on some of these types of linkages based on a joint ILO/ISSA/AIM study covering a number of countries in three regions. Country reports are accessible on the ISSA Extranet site and the ILO/GIMI platform.

List of documents

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

List of Short Technical Papers (STPs)

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

List of working groups (Bangkok workshop, October 2007)

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Logiciel Mas Gestion version 1.3

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Logiciel Mas Pilote version 1.0

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

MACIF

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Within nearly half a century of experience, Macif has evolved into a large and diversified group. To respond to the developing needs of members (individuals, professionals, businesses, associations, works councils, amongst others), the company now offers full coverage of all of their property and possessions as well as health and personal protection insurance, credit lines, savings plans, assistance and personal services.
Along the way, Macif has remained true to its original objective: upholding the principles of the social economy. Nowadays, this concept seems of particular relevance, especially in a world where profitability often leads to ill-advised decision-making.

Madhya Pradesh: EHA's Prerana Health Insurance Scheme

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Making Cash Count

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Managing risk and minimizing vulnerability

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This paper argues that a pro-poor growth strategy should aim at minimizing vulnerability to poverty – in all its dimensions.
It examines two areas where policies for social protection, employment and economic growth can reinforce each other: (i) the link between extending social health protection and the productivity of employment; and (ii) the synergy between tax-financed cash transfers and pro-poor growth.
Finally, it also emphasizes the need for a coherent global strategy, which should aim at achieving equality of opportunity.

Managing Risk and Vulnerability in Cambodia

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

In post-conflict Cambodia, the problems of risk and vulnerability are pervasive and are compounded by the weakness of available safety nets.This report attempts to provide an analytical and strategic basis for addressing these issues, taking into account changing country needs as well as the social protection activities being undertaken by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and its partners. Specifically, this study: (i) takes stock of existing knowledge on risk and vulnerability in Cambodia; (ii) examines coping strategies employed by the poor and vulnerable to deal with risk and dampen the effects of shocks; (iii) reviews existing social protection mechanisms; and (iv) lays out priority areas and a proposed agenda for support by the World Bank and other partners in the social protection sector.

Manual for auditing the administration and functioning of a CBHI scheme

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Manual for auditing the administration and functioning of a CBHI scheme

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Manual for auditing the administration and functioning of a Community Based Health Insurance scheme

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Members making a difference

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This publication brings together several short case studies on how members of the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF) are successfully extending the outreach of insurance to the low-income population.
Not only do these case studies demonstrate the unique benefits of the cooperative and mutual structure at the grass root level but also show how established members are maintaining their values by supporting the development of microinsurance schemes outside of their market and geographical area.
The publication gathers sixteen case studies, which include examples from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Membership Procedure V2

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Methodological guide for undertaking case studies. Health micro-insurance schemes

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This guide is conceived to assist in the implementation of case studies on health micro-insurance and to provide a common methodology. It indicates precisely the information to be collected and how to elaborate the analysis report. It does not seek to evaluate the systems, neither in terms of impact, nor in terms of efficiency of the health sector. The guide is primarily destined for those responsible for implementing case studies.

Methodology for developing a social marketing and communication plan for a microinsurance scheme

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Social marketing constitutes a new area of action research for the ILO's STEP Programme. This paper aims to document the process of developing a social marketing and communication plan for the Social Security Mutual Health Organization. It is meant to serve as a first step in building a generic methodology of social marketing for health microinsurance that can be applied to other contexts. It is important to note that this is not an evaluation of the outcomes of the project, as the activities recommended in the social marketing and communication plan were not yet implemented at the time of writing.

Micro finance et Micro assurance

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Micro Insurance Innovations Project (MIP) in the Philippines (Pre-appraisal Report)

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The pre-appraisal report on the Microinsurance Innovations Project in the Philippines deals with the background and situation of microinsurance in the Philippines as well as proposing recommendations for its evolution. The microinsurance approach has developed a number of innovative and promising features in the country such as a regulatory framework developed by a visionary Insurance Commission which is continuously being adapted; emerging and increasingly competitive microfinance and insurance sectors that motivate MFIs to diversify their products and services, etc. An estimated 76% of the population is already enrolled in PhilHealth and some progress has been made by PhilHealth to enrol those defined as poor in order to achieve its mandate of universal coverage. However, despite these efforts, almost all those left without any kind of insurance are in the informal economy, and the existing social insurance schemes fail to cover them. Indeed, few commercial health service actors provide health insurance to the disadvantaged or the informal sector. Moreover the new provider type MicroInsurance MBA has rapidly and efficiently expanded over the past years but its sustainability remains a major challenge. While PhilHealth is attempting more aggressively to reach out to informal economy workers, this document argues that microinsurance should become an integrated part of the strategy of the German and Philippine Development Co-operation in the focal area. Indeed, it recommends that the German Development Cooperation implements a new �Microinsurance Innovation PROJECT (MIP)� to support microinsurance with various partners via technical assistance.

Micro-insurance. Towards the extension of social security

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Micro-Insurers. Inventory of Micro-Insurance Schemes in Bangladesh

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This report constitutes an inventory of micro insurance schemes operating in Bangladesh, as of October 2003. It provides a range of information on micro insurance schemes available to income-poor and low-income earners.
The report presents twenty organizations that provide thirty-six schemes. Three of these are big or "mega" NGOs, which have nationwide reach through their organizational infrastructure, built on established micro-credit groups across the country. Sixteen schemes are provided by small to medium locality based NGOs; they are not for profit and cover risks such as primary health and hospitalisation. Lastly, one scheme is run by a commercial insurance company; its schemes have nationwide coverage.

Microbancos

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Microfinance Gateway

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The Microfinance Gateway (the Gateway) is the most comprehensive source of information for and about the microfinance industry. It includes research and publications, discussion groups, specialized resource centers, organization and consultant profiles, and the latest news, events, and job opportunities in microfinance. Its guiding vision is to enable microfinance industry participants to generate value, innovate and engage in the free flow of ideas by effectively utilizing the Gateway's knowledge assets.

Microfinance Management Institute

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The mission of the Microfinance Management Institute (MFMI) is to advance capacity in microfinance management worldwide. Leading experts in microfinance agree that insufficient management capacity and a relative dearth of technically skilled human resources are among the key constraints to the growth and outreach of the global microfinance sector.
Achieving significant outreach to low-income families who desire access to financial services requires a parallel scaling up of the number of skilled, ambitious managerial leaders who can capably manage the growth of microfinance services and institutions. The MFMI responds to this capacity-building need and fulfils this mission through its Microfinance in MBA Programs Project (the "MBA Project"). The MFMI mission will grow to strengthen the internal capacity of training providers and academic institutions as a means to develop better quality training and more competitive services for those offering financial products and services to the poor.

Microfinance Opportunities

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

Microfinance Opportunities is a women-owned microenterprise resource center that promotes client-led microfinance. Established in 2002 as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, it seeks to facilitate an improvement in poor people's lives by increasing their access to well-designed and well-delivered financial services.
Microfinance Opportunities occupies a specialized market niche within the microfinance industry, providing action-oriented research, training, and technical assistance in three client-focused areas:

Financial Education: Design, training and dissemination;
Microinsurance: Assessing demand and facilitating supply;
Client Assessment: Market research and impact assessment.

Microfinanzas y la OIT

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Microinsurance and Microfinance Institutions

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This paper looks at microinsurance from the perspective of microfinance institutions (MFIs), which are important microinsurance delivery channels. By reviewing the experiences of three Indian MFIs –SPANDANA in Andra Pradesh, and SHEPHERD and ASA in Tamil Nadu– it seeks to answer questions about what products to offer, and how to design and deliver them.
Several lessons can be drawn from the extensive experiences of these MFIs in offering microinsurance. These include, inter alia:

The challenge for the MFI and its clients is to figure out the most cost-effective solutions to their clients' primary problems.
For women to really benefit from life insurance, the coverage should be on the lives of their husbands. As the cases will show, however, this is easier said than done because of adverse selection problems that can emerge when coverage was extended to husbands without screening or age restrictions.
While an MFI might undertake prevention strategies to fulfil its social mission, these interventions could have the additional advantage of reducing claims.
It makes sense for MFIs to start with a simple life policy to learn about insurance. However, once MFIs know how to manage insurance risks, then it makes sense for them to move on and provide coverage that better meets clients' needs.
Simple products work best because they are easier to administer and easier for clients to understand.
The link between insurance and a loan can improve efficiencies, but it also has significant limitations. Of the three, only SHEPHERD has concluded that insurance should not be linked to microcredit since risks can happen when people do not have a loan.
If MFIs sell microinsurance to non-members, the organizations (or their insurance partners) are vulnerable to adverse selection risks. To control this risk, insurance should only be offered to persons who have joined a group for the purposes other than accessing insurance.

Microinsurance as a tool to extend social protection. Development, diversity & key issues

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Microinsurance as a tool to extend social protection. High potential of linkages

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Microinsurance as a tool to extend social protection. Strengths and weaknesses, future perspectives

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Microinsurance Awards Press Release

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Press Release after Microinsurance Awards ceremony organised by PlaNet Finance India.

MicroInsurance Centre

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The MicroInsurance Centre is focused on a partnership model of microinsurance provision. This site is intended to provide practical tools to assist in the success of these relationships between regulated insurers, and MFOs and banks.

MicroInsurance Focus

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Microinsurance legislation in Brazil

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Website containing microinsurance circulars and standardized contract conditions in Brazil.
Click on the link and see under 'Microinsurance'.

Microinsurance Note 8. Facilitating an Appropriate Regulatory and Supervisory Environment for Microinsurance

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This Microinsurance Note addresses the changing nature of insurance regulation and supervision in low-income countries; which the authors consider to be no longer solely focused on consumer protection (questions of insurer solvency, management capacity, suitability of practices in view of target population, transparent and fair marketing practices).
Recognising that insurance regulation and supervision has in some cases (some examples: South Africa, Brazil, the Philippines, India) taken on a secondary role; that of stimulating the development of the insurance market (particularly its expansion in the low-income sector), this paper seeks to provide guidance on the challenge of achieving a balance between the two goals of providing regulation to protect low-income families from insurance pitfalls and creating an enabling environment for the expansion of the insurance market. The paper details various examples of regulatory adaptations used to improve the access of low-income populations to specialized insurance products, while the advantages and disadvantages of regulatory practice in the specific case of India (quotas to ensure that insurance products are sold to certain social and rural groups, enforced by fines) are more closely analysed.
Note from ILO/STEP: Health mutuals play a key role in the extension of social protection for low-income populations. It is therefore important that regulators are aware of the importance of :

not applying to mutual health organisations the same regulation that applies to commercial insurance: health mutuals are performing a role that the State should do. They are an instrument for the extension of social protection and therefore have to be considered as belonging to the social insurance legal area rather to the commercial insurance one;
finding a balance between prudential rules to protect members and an enabling environment for the expansion of the health mutuals.

These considerations were at the basis of the drafting of the UEMOA legislation on health mutuals and of the accounting plan.

Microinsurance regulations here get global pat

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

At the Microinsurance Conference, the insurance sector's international community recognised microinsurance's role in insuring the poor and discussed the issue of the low-income insurance market.

microLINKS

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Description
microLINKS is a knowledge-sharing family of applications and tools designed to improve the impact of USAID microenterprise programs and activities. microLINKS gives you access to the latest information on microenterprise; best practices; proven approaches from USAID Missions, partners, and practitioners; a library of documents, reports, and tools; and an environment that supports and enriches communities of practice.

USAID's Microenterprise Development office seeks to provide information that helps explain the opportunities of microinsurance, the international lessons learned, and practical means for implementing microinsurance projects. To help meet these learning objectives, a Microinsurance Note series was developed to provide an introduction and overview of key topics in microinsurance with links to resources that allow for greater exploration.

microLINKS

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT

microLINKS is a knowledge-sharing family of applications and tools designed to improve the impact of USAID microenterprise programs and activities. microLINKS gives you access to the latest information on microenterprise; best practices; proven approaches from USAID Missions, partners, and practitioners; a library of documents, reports, and tools; and an environment that supports and enriches communities of practice.

MicroSave (English, fran�ais, espa�ol)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
MicroSave and Market-led Microfinance Reaching the huge untapped market for microfinance entails building the capacity of financial institutions to innovate to meet the diverse and changing needs of a broad range of poor clients - in short, a market-led approach. MicroSave is at the forefront of efforts to move microfinance from a product-driven to a market-led basis. Market-led microfinance incorporates:
• Product development;
• Product delivery systems;
• Customer service strategies; and
• Corporate brand and identity.
Benefits accrue to the financial institution by enhancing customer loyalty, reducing drop-outs, and increasing profitability. For the clients, more appropriate, customer-responsive financial services allow them to better manage their household finances to improve their lives.

Mid-term evaluation of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) 5th Round Project on Health Systems Strengthening

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This document gives an overview of the health system and its financing in Rwanda, it describes the achievements of the GFATM project on Health Systems strengthening, it describes the financial management of the scheme and provides recommendations for phase 2.

MIMIS: Micro Insurance Management Information System

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Minutes of the First AMIN Regional Meeting

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Modelling in health care finance. A compendium of quantitative techniques for health care financing.

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This unique book provides a solid understanding of the basics of modelling and assists health care professionals in grasping its uses in the policy-making process. A valuable guidebook for health system and health insurance managers alike, this volume offers the quantitative and analytic tools needed for sound resource allocation and financial governance of health systems. It creates synergies and bridges gaps between quantitative health economics, health financing and actuarial science while presenting methods for improving the efficiency, and lowering the costs, of current health systems. A joint technical publication of the ILO and the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

Modelo de atenci�n primaria en salud

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Most popular 10 abstracts - three months to 31 January 2007

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Munich Re Foundation (English, Deutsch)

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Munich Re has been handling global risks for 125 years. Today, it possesses expertise and know-how in all fields of competence connected with the subject of risk. Acting responsibly means sharing that knowledge. The Munich Re Foundation enables Munich Re to fulfil this responsibility. People are ultimately at the core of what the foundation's work is all about.The foundation's task is to minimise the risks to which they are exposed. It clarifies issues and provides support, also in developing countries.

Mutual health organizations and micro-entrepreneurs' associations. Guide

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This guide is intended for associations of micro-entrepreneurs interested in creating mutual health insurance schemes. The guide provides basic information on the advantages as well as on the difficulties of these schemes. This document is the result of a partnership between the STEP programme and the ILO's inFocus Programme Small Enterprise Development (SEED).

Mutualit� Fonction Publique

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Mutualit� Fran�aise

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Mutuelle de Securite Sociale (MSS) - Plan de Communication

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Mutuelle de S�curit� Sociale (MSS) - Rapport de synth�se d'enqu�tes men�es sur la population cible

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Mutuelle G�n�rale de l'Education Nationale (MGEN)

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Mutuelles de sant� en Afrique: caract�ristiques et mise en place

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Naandi Foundation School Health Programme (Andhra Pradesh)

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The document presents the background, the achievements and an analysis of the School Health Programme launched by the Naandi Foundation in 2005 in India. The School Health Programme is an original and replicable model for the delivery of essential and quality multi-speciality healthcare services to underprivileged children in India. The programme was piloted with the objective of studying common disease patterns in this group of children and ensuring the minimal cost. To achieve these aims, private, trust hospitals and individual medical professionals have been inspired to come together as philanthropists to provide their expert services to children (diagnosis, out-patient and in-patient care, investigations, specialty consultations, surgery and medicine). As a result, the Naandi Foundation provides 60,000 state school children in 289 schools in Hyderabad with quality health services within their school premises, and at zero cost for the family. The programme is a huge success in terms of cost and coverage.

National Workshop - Learning From Experiences: Identifying Health Micro Insurance Best Practices

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The workshop includes several presentations by Indian organizations mainly. It also presents in session 1 examples of African countries and the Philippines. You can download the whole session or the three presentations separately:

Introduction

African countries

The Philippines

The workshop sessions include other documents, such as presentations of the best practices in India:

Asha Kiran Society

Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)

Shepherd Group of Institutions

Sampoorna SI programme & Yeshasvini, Co-operative Farmers' HS

Microinsurance Awards 2007

Sanjeevani (SKAP) & Naandi Foundation

SKS Microfinance

Two sessions close the workshop, they concern:

Financing

Linkages between Statutory and Community-based Organizations

Needs assessment survey: identifying the social protection priority needs of cooperative societies' members in Karnataka

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Nepal: Public Health Concern Trust (phect-NEPAL) Micro Health Insurance Scheme

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Nomination form

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Note de pr�sentation de l'atelier r�gional de concertation sur un avant-projet de r�glement sur les mutuelles sociales dans les Etats membres de l'Union (UEMOA)

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Note sur l'extension de la couverture d'assurance maladie au Rwanda

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This document gives an overview of 1) The historical context of mutual health organizations in Rwanda 2) The way thy are structured and organized 3) The health care coverage and its financing

Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Deepening the Health Care System Reform in China

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The CPC Central Comittee and the State Council of China put out the opinions on deepening the health care system reform following the 17th CPC National Congress, with the goal of rasing the health level and providing basic health care service to every Chinese people. The opinions include 6 parts: I.Fully recognizing the importance, urgency and arduousness of deepening the health care system reform II.The guidelines, basic principles and overall goal of deepening the health care system reform III.Improving four major health care systems and establishing the basic health care system covering urban and rural residents IV.Improving institutional mechanism, ensuring effective and well regulated operations of the health care system V.Concentrating on five key reform projects and striving to achieve remarkable results in the near future.

Organisation et fonctionnement de la Mutuelle G�n�rale des Fonctionnaires et Agents de l'Etat de C�te d'Ivoire (MUGEF-CI)

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world to:
• Support sustainable economic growth
• Boost employment
• Raise living standards
• Maintain financial stability
• Assist other countries' economic development
• Contribute to growth in world trade

The OECD also shares expertise and exchanges views with more than 100 other countries and economies, from Brazil, China, and Russia to the least developed countries in Africa.

Orissa: PREM's Health Micro-Insurance Scheme

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

ORT Health Plus Scheme, in the Provice of La Union, Philippines

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This study presents the implementation of an innovative community-based health micro-insurance scheme, how and where it operates. It includes matters such as financial, management tools, lessons learnt and different actors' points of view.

Overview of MI in Asia

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Overview of the Community Based Health Insurance scheme

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This Brochure, produced by the Ministry of Health of LAO PDR, answers eight important questions relating to the Community Based Health Insurance scheme:
1. What does Community Based Health Insurance mean?
2. Who could become member?
3. What benefit will members get?
4. Is there any limit to the benefits?
5. How become member?
6. How much to pay?
7. Can members get free service immediately after paying?
8. What to do when a family is sick?

Pacific: Universal Pensions in the Pacific Countries

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Universal pension schemes are rare in the world, in developing countries but also in developed countries where contributory social insurance and other contributory pensions are more frequent. Moreover, they are often more expensive than targeted social assistance pensions since they are also distributed to people in the high or middle income bracket, including those for example who could already have retirement pensions. However, a universal pension may be a solution to resolve some administrative or political dilemmas. One option is to provide universal benefits to groups such as the very elderly where there are grounds for concluding that most of the people in the group are poor.

Pakistan HDI in global Context

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pakistan HDI in global Context

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pakistan: An inventory of micro-insurance schemes

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The present inventory is a first attempt to document the various micro-insurance schemes that have been identified so far as contributing to the extension of social protection in Pakistan.
In the very recent years, it has been observed in the country a growing perception of the necessity to extend social protection to all excluded groups and a wider commitment to actively contribute to this extension through various strategies including the promotion on new micro-insurance schemes. As a direct result, several actors of the civil society have already designed and set up some micro-insurance schemes that were tailor-made to answer the priority needs and contributory capacity of their target groups.
Several insurance companies, both private and public, are also found active in this new sub-sector having tied up with various development organizations operating at the grassroots level for provision of new insurance products to the disadvantaged groups.

Pakistan: Kashf Life Insurance Product

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pakistan: Key Statistics in human Development

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pakistan: National Rural Support Programme (NRSP)

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with more than 100 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.

Papua New Guinea: Review of the Social Security System. An initial assessment

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Reviews the demographic and socioeconomic aspects of the country, analyses the existing social security systems, develops feasible options of extending social security coverage for both the formal and informal economy workers.

Part I. Setting-up a health micro-insurance scheme, rationale and relevance

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Part III. Micro-insurance: a mechanism to manage risks

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Part III of the document “The role of micro-insurance as a tool to face risks in the context of social protection” deals with several aspects of micro-insurance, an ex ante mechanism that manages risks. The term micro-insurance is used to designate either the organization, the service of an organization or the set of institutions that provide insurance to beneficiaries, who are people excluded from formal social protection schemes. The chapter shows two of the numerous aspects of diversity in MIS: the diversity of products and diversity of delivery models. Indeed, MIS cover various risks such as, among others, life, health and crop, which are more or less complex to deal with. The pre-existing civil society organizations, the community-based organizations or the commercials insurers can manage the complex business of micro-insurance on their own, create partnerships or outsource several functions (product design, marketing, technical and financial management…) to a Third Party Agent (TPA). With reinsurance and coinsurance (syndicate insurance), the micro-insurance schemes can share the risks by redistributing and diversifying risks. But there remains a challenge: it is a long process that needs specialized skills and stable sources of funding. That is why linkages between MIS and other risk management instruments are necessary to supplement micro insurances.

Part IV. Micro-insurance: a component of social protection

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The definition of social security as a human right implies that (1) States have some kind of obligation regarding the right to social security / social protection and (2) everybody is entitled to a minimum of social protection, without exception or discrimination. But in many developing countries where States are characterized by low financial and institutional capacity, social protection coverage is dramatically low. In such contexts micro-insurance schemes may raise supplementary resources (financial means, human resources, etc.) that benefit to the social protection sector as a whole and contribute to facilitate and improve the governance of the social protection sector. More specifically, health micro-insurance schemes contribute to improve access to health care and have several positive effects in terms of participation of civil society, empowerment of socio-occupational groups including women.
Moreover, micro-insurance as a mechanism of extension has several added values or comparative advantages as compared to classical social security schemes, including its capacity to reach excluded groups, lower transaction costs, benefits packages well-adapted to the target population's needs, and lower incidences of fraud and abuses. However, micro-insurance faces several limitations including poor sustainability, little or no redistribution, and poorly adapted legislative frameworks.
To overcome these limitations, three pathways are suggested: First, that the further development of micro-insurance be enhanced and accelerated (in terms of population covered, scope of the benefits package, technical and financial capacities of the schemes, etc.); Second, that linkages be developed with other actors and institutions (e.g., outsourcing of management functions) as well as other components of social protection and the health sector (contracting with health care providers at local level but also defining contractual frameworks at national level); Third, that micro-insurance be further integrated in coherent and equitable national systems of social protection.

Partners for Health Reformplus

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The Partners for Health Reformplus (PHRplus) project is the U.S. Agency for International Development's flagship project in health policy and systems strengthening. USAID looks to PHRplus to provide technical assistance in, and to help maintain, USAID's worldwide leadership role in health care reform, health policy, management, health financing, and systems strengthening. This project will continue its close working relationships with NGOs and USAID cooperating agencies, international and developing country partner organizations, including the World Bank, WHO, UNICEF, bilateral donors, PVOs, foundations, universities, and host country government agencies.

Pensiones no contributivas y asistenciales. Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Costa Rica y Uruguay

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

PensionReforms

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

PensionReforms is a not-for-profit service that aims to stimulate high quality international debate on pension issues - both public and private. The Editorial Board sees PensionReforms both as an information broker and as a place where readers will find insightful critiques on the major issues and reviews of influential papers...

Pensions Panorama

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Reforming pensions in a fiscally and socially sustainable way is a central issue in developing and developed countries alike. This report, produced in collaboration by the OECD and the World Bank, addresses some of the key questions underlying the debate and provides the basis for a new, consistent, approach to the empirical analysis of pension systems and entitlements around the world.

People's Health Movement (PHM)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The People's Health Movement (PHM) has its roots deep in the grassroots people's movement and owes its genesis to many health networks and activists who have been concerned by the growing inequities in health over the last 25 years. The PHM calls for a revitalisation of the principles of the Alma-Ata Declaration which promised Health for All by the year 2000 and complete revision of international and domestic policy that has shown to impact negatively on health status and systems.

People's Republic of China. Review of the urban social security system. Pension insurance, unemployment insurance, health insurance, maternity insurance, employment injury insurance and sickness and invalidity benefit provisions.

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This report is part of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the ILO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security in 2001. It constitutes a technical review on all social security schemes of the MOLSS in China PR. Its focus at the national level is completed by an explicit review of provincial experiences for Liaoning in the North-East, Guangdong on the central East Coast and Sichuan in the South.

Percentage living with less than $1 per day in Pakistan

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Percentage living with less than $1 per day in Pakistan (2)

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Performance indicators for microinsurance

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This handbook provides some principles and key indicators to measure microinsurance performance.
• Chapter 1 describes these principles and the indicators;
• Chapter 2 focuses on some of the special considerations to be given in evaluating performance for certain products and for the partner-agent model;
• Chapter 3 introduces the subject of benchmarking;
• Chapter 4 explores the topic of social performance.
This handbook, together with a microinsurance factsheet, forms the toolkit "Performance Indicators for Microinsurance." Both tools complement each other and are designed to be used together. The microinsurance factsheet is an Excel workbook that comprises the financial statements adapted for microinsurance practitioners. Based upon these statements, the ten key performance indicators described in this handbook are calculated. The handbook complements the factsheet by assisting the reader with the interpretation of the obtained results.
The factsheet can be found at www.brs-vzw.be/factsheet

Perspectives on the social security system of China

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The essential aim of the present study is an integrated understanding, in its relevant historical context, of the past, present and projected development of the social security system of China. In order to do so, an assessment is made of each of the benefit programmes administered either directly or indirectly under the auspices of the government, including both the social insurance programmes under the supervision of the MOLSS and the social assistance programme administered by the Ministry of Civil Affairs (MOCA). These aspects form the subjects of, respectively, Chapters 1 and 2. Chapter 3 offers a social protection development agenda, designed to address strategic issues and possible directions which policy makers may wish to consider for the optimal delivery of social protection to the people of China.

Pertinence des SPSC en sant� et efficience de la micro-assurance sant�

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Per� - Reglamento de microseguros

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

2007 Microinsurance law in Peru.

PhilHealth

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
A premier government corporation that ensures sustainable, affordable and progressive social health insurance which endeavors to influence the delivery of accessible quality health care for all Filipinos.
As a financial intermediary, PhilHealth shall continuously evolve a sustainable National Health Insurance Program that shall:

Lead towards universal coverage
Ensure better benefits for its members at affordable premiums;
Establish close coordination with its clients through a strong partnership with all stakeholders; and,
Provide effective internal information and management systems to influence the delivery of quality health care services.

Philippines - Insurance memorandum circular - Microinsurance regulation and declaration of policy objectives

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Insurance memorandum circular of the Philippines' Department of Finance on microinsurance regulation and declaration of policy objectives (date: October 25, 2006)

Philippines: Extension of social health insurance coverage to workersin the informal economy through organized groups

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Philippines: Provision of social security for overseas Filipino workers

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The document presents a new programme launch in The Philippines. The country is the largest labour sending country in Southeast Asia with 8 millions Filipinos living abroad. Thus, providing social protection for Overseas Filipino Workers during their working life but also during retirement is a major challenge. One of the main providers of Social Protection, SSS, signed a Memorandum of Agreement that will systematize voluntary social security coverage, especially through the Flexi-Fund Programme, a provident fund type of scheme featuring flexible payment terms and easy withdrawal of savings.

PlaNet Finance (English, fran�ais, espa�ol)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
PlaNet Finance, organization of international solidarity specialised in microfinance, supports these financial intermediaries and increases their growth by federating them and providing operational services which enable them to strengthen their technical capacities and financial resources.

PlaNet Finance announces the launch of PlaNet Guarantee,

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Press release

PlaNet Guarantee (brochure)

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Planning and Implementing Health Insurance Programmes in India

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Politique de contractualisation dans le secteur de la sant� au S�n�gal

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Portail de la s�curit� sociale

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Poverty, Economic and Social Development and the Right to Social Security within the Global Decent Work Debate

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This paper summarises arguments developed over recent years at the ILO. Providing a synopsis of the ILO view of the role of social security in the context of globalisation and in terms of national economic and social development, the paper exposes the rationale behind the 2003 Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All.

The paper presents the historical, economic and fiscal arguments put forward by the ILO which seek to counter the conventional "grow first, distribute later" economic view which perceives a need to contain social expenditure. The position of the ILO suggests that it is possible for countries to grow with equity, i.e. provide some form of social protection from some early stages of their development, and that social security systems can be seen as an investment in productivity; enhancing social stability, reducing poverty, improving the health of the population and creating a more conducive environment for entrepreneurship.

On this pretext the paper lays out the ILO's proposal for the adoption of an approach to social security provision centred on the guarantee of a "basic social security floor" for all citizens/ residents. This concept is based on a framework of four essential social security guarantees: access to basic health benefits, income security for children with the aim of facilitating access to basic education and health, targeted income support for the poor and unemployed and basic pensions to provide income security for people in old age, those with disabilities and survivors. In essence this framework is applicable in any country, with suitable adaptations to fit national circumstances.

Moreover, examples are given of ILO actuarial calculations undertaken in 12 developing countries which indicate that the provision of a social security floor is crucially fiscally affordable in low-income countries. The final part of the paper documents numerous examples of the successful implementation of various elements of a social security "floor" across a range of Asian countries.

Practitioners form

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Practitioners form PDF

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

PREM PLAN People's Rural Health Scheme (Orissa)

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The case study aims to document the systems and procedures of PREM-Plan's micro health insurance scheme for replication, better understanding and feedback for further improvement. Documenting the experience of PRHPS with a large membership base will give valuable insights into the functioning of such schemes and also help the PRHPS managers to have a critical perception of the scheme for its development. Authors hasten to add however, that this is only a critical documentation of the scheme and not an evaluation.

Presentation of the platform

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Principes et modalit�s de la capitation, un syst�me innovant de contractualisation des prestataires de soins en micro assurance sant�

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Principes et techniques de gestion des mutuelles de sant�

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Proc�dure de t�l�chargement de MAS Gestion 1.3

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Proc�dure de t�l�chargement de MAS Pilote 1.0

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Programa Conferencia Nicaragua

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Project MIMIS, Micro Insurance Management Information System, Overview

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Project of mutual in Mali-India

Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Project on linkages between statutory social security schemes and community-based social protection mechanisms

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Project proposal: developing a conceptual and normative framework for micro-health insurance as a social security instrument in India

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This paper gives a presentation of a joint ILO - CICLASS research project on the development of a conceptual and normative framework for micro-health insurance as a social security instrument in India. The overall purpose of the activities to be conducted during the proposed project is to develop principles, guidelines, norms and standards that are or should be applicable whenever micro-health insurance schemes are developped, organised, operationalised and regulated.

Projet mutuelle Inde-Mali

Thu, 22 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Projet sur les articulations entre les syst�mes l�gaux de s�curit� sociale et les m�canismes de protection sociale � base communautaire

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Promoting health micro-insurance schemes to local communities

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Protecci�n social en salud en Chile

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Protecting the social security rights of nationals working abroad

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Jordanian national social security system, administered by the Social Security Corporation (SSC), provides an excellent example of the establishment of voluntary social security insurance for national workers abroad. This scheme is open to Jordanians nationals working abroad and it provides old-age, disability and death benefits. Due to the large number of Jordanian labourers working in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates without social security coverage, the SSC has established two liaison offices in those countries.

Protecting the social security rights of nationals working abroad

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

If a Filipino migrant worker has no social security coverage under the laws of the country of employment, coverage is provided instead through one of the schemes comprising the Social Security System of the Philippines (SSS). These schemes are: the voluntary social insurance system regulated by the Republic Act No. 1161 (Social Security Law); the Medical Care Program for Overseas Filipino Workers, the Philhealth Overseas Workers' Program, and the supplementary pension fund and savings account (known as SSS Flexi-Fund).

Protection sociale et micro finance: entre l'extension de services de micro-assurance aux populations � faibles revenus et la viabilit� des IMFs. Illustration par quelques pays d'Afrique et d'Asie.

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Proyecto Colombia

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Public expenditure on health as % of the GDP in Pakistan

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Public-private partnerships in the health sector

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Theoretical foundations of the concept of public-private-partnership (PPP) are briefly discussed and different forms of cooperation are described. The major part of the paper discusses PPP health sector experiences in developing countries in different regions of the world. Following that, the case studies and the insights from the theoretical overview are presented in order to derive determinants for a successful PPP. The identification of conditions under which PPP can contribute to an increase in access to social protection at lower cost is helpful to design appropriate social policies. The paper closes with open questions for discussion and future research needs.

Quelles articulations entre politique de sant� et micro-assurance?

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

R167 Maintenance of Social Security Rights Recommendation, 1983

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Rapport de l'�tude de faisabilit� des syst�mes de protection sociale � base communautaire (SPSC)

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Rapport de mission en Colombie du 19 au 22 avril 2006

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Mission report including a short presentation of the extension of social proetction in Coombia as well as the mutual health and cooperative sector in Latin America.

Rapport sur les r�sultats de l'enqu�te m�nage r�alis�e aupr�s de la population cible des mutuelles de sant� dans la zone de sant� de Kisantu

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Red Europea de Microfinanzas (REM)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Reference Guide and Tools on Health Micro-Insurance Schemes in the Philippines

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Aims to serve as framework for ensuring the sustainability of risk-pooling schemes such as mutual organizations and micro-insurance schemes, particularly developing capabilities in foundations and features of health micro-insurance schemes (HMIS), setting-up HMIS, organization, administrative and financial management, monitoring and evaluation of HMIS.

The Reference Guide and Tools consists of 5 modules designed as separate modules and is introduced by the Users' Guide.

Regulaci�n para Microseguros

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Regulations for the nationwide implementation of Community Based Health Insurance

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The purpose of this regulations for the Community Based Health Insurance (CBHI) is to set out the principles, regulations, organisation, procedures and measures to ensure the insured members of the CBHI obtain their rights and benefit regarding health insurance under capitation in Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Regulations for the nationwide implementation of community based health insurance in Laos

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Report on the First Microinsurance Conference in Pakistan

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Report to the Government on employment injury insurance in Cambodia: legislation, financing and administration

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The report consists of three parts: Legislation (Part 1), Financial Assessment (Part Il), and Administration (Part III). Part 1 provides the principles of employment injury insurance, reviews of the current legislative framework, and a review of the draft Sub-decree concerning the Establishment of NSSF. Part II presents the financial principles and methodologies for assessing the contribution rate and provides the estimated contribution rate. Part III provides reviews of the existing administration structure, a proposed structure for NSSF and various administrative procedures that are to be computerized, and health Care provision.

Rep�blica de Bolivia: Diagn�stico del sistema de seguridad social

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Summary
This draft for discussion paper is an analysis of Bolivia's social security system, including health and pension schemes. Despite recent reforms the country still has weak social security coverage compared to the rest of the region.

Chapter 1: description of Bolivia's social and economic situation and also of the structure of its labour market.
Chapter 2: description of Bolivia's current social security system, its recent evolution and its different modes and regimes.
Chapter 3: description of Bolivia's health care system and of how it interacts with social security schemes. This chapter also describes factors of exclusion.
Chapter 4: panorama of different funds and insurances, of their programs and how they are run and financed.
Chapter 5: description of the pension system and its recent transformation.
The conclusion consists of the author's recommendations in order to improve access to social security in Bolivia.

Restitution des r�sultats de l'enqu�te r�alis�e aupr�s de la population cible de la MSS

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

RSBY - Rashtriya swasthya bima yojana

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Health insurance is a matter of life and death, especially for the poor.

On August 15, 2007, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced the creation of a new health insurance scheme; the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana or RSBY. (The scheme was formally launched on October 1, 2007). The objective of RSBY is to protect below poverty line (BPL) households from major health shocks that involve hospitalization. Specifically, BPL families are entitled to more than 700 in-patient procedures with a cost of up to 30,000 rupees per annum for a nominal registration fee of 30 rupees. Pre-exisiting conditions are covered and there is no age limit. Coverage extends to the head of household, spouse and up to three dependent children or parents.

There is a five year plan for rolling out the RSBY which allows each participating state to contract 20 per cent of their respective districts each year. By April 1, 2008, almost every large state government had expressed its intention of joining the scheme and many have already issued tender notices. Three states (Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan) have begun enrollment. The initial response from beneficiaries has been very positive.

The Government of India, in cooperation with the participating state governments, will monitor the ground realities of the scheme during the next few years. Adjustments will be made as the experience unfolds, always with the same objective in mind : to provide poor households with insurance against the costs associated with major illness.

R�glementation et supervision en microassurance

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

R�formes et pilotage du syst�me de retraite

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

R�seau Europ�en de la Microfinance (REM)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Sample agreement

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Sample brochures of microinsurance schemes

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Examples of brochures used for marketing microinsurance schemes in India and Poland.

Sample Household Survey Questionnaire: Setting up a health insurance scheme in Jharkand

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This survey was conducted by the Ministry of Health, Family Welfare, Medical Education and Research, Government of Jharkhand to better understand the health problems faced by families in the state of Jharkhand. The answers of the interviewees were used to facilitate the design and implementation of a new social protection scheme for the Below Poverty Line population which aims at improving the access of poor families to quality health care services while minimizing the financial burden in case of sickness.

Sant� publique et d�veloppement

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Sarv Swasthya Mission - Health Security for All

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Presents the basic ideas of a joint partnership between the Government of Jharkhand (India) and the ILO (Sub Regional Office for South Asia, New Delhi), which aims to extend social security in health to the population of the State living on income below the poverty line.

Scaling Up of the Social Protection Index for Committed Poverty Reduction

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The primary objective of this study, which was also undertaken by Halcrow, was to construct an internationally comparable Social Protection Index (SPI) that provides a realistic and acceptable summary of the overall level of social protection activities in the country. The SPI provides a summary measurement tool of the extent to which Asian countries provide welfare, social security, health insurance, micro-credit, child protection, targeted education and health support programs to their citizens, and especially those living below the poverty line. The SPI was designed to be a starting point for diagnostic evaluations of national Social Protection (SP) programs, to enable the monitoring of changes in SP provision over time, and to facilitate international comparisons of SP provision. The SPI, conceptually based on the Human Development index (HDI), was derived from four component indicators (SP expenditure, SP coverage, SP distribution/ poverty targeting and SP impact on incomes).

Self-training kit for conducting a feasibility study

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Session 1.1

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Introduction

Session 1.3: Health Micro-insurance Schemes in the Philippines

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Outline:
• Background
• Community-based Health Care Financing
• Health Micro-insurance Schemes
• ILO-STEP in the Philippines

Session 1: Micro-insurance in West Africa

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Outline:
• Micro-insurance: a mechanism for the extension of social security
• Evolution of the extension of social security in West Africa
• Positive contribution and current limits of microinsurance to the extension of social security
• Possible leads: development of nationwide schemes and linkages
• Lessons learned and some recommendations

Session 2.1: Asha Kiran Society, Pre-paid Rural Health Care Scheme

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presents an overview of living conditions in Orissa, India. Tribes' health needs, utilisation of and access to health care. It also describes the NGO Asha Kiran Society actions in the development of the health system in the region. The example of the Boras' village is presented.

Session 2.2: Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Outline:
• Background
• Current insurance package, membership, claims
• Lessons learned
• Successes
• Challenges

Session 2.3: Sheperd Group of Institutions

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presents the Sheperd Group activities in five districts of Tamilnadu. Its misssion is to mobilize and animate the rural poor women towards achieving sustainale livelihood, by promoting savings, credit, health and social security services.

Outline:
• Background
• Organization
• Premiums, Claims
• Learnings
• Challenges
• Future plan

Session 2.4: Sampoorna Suraksha Insurance programme & Yeshasvini - Co-operative Farmers' Health Scheme

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Centre for insurance and risk management – the Sampoorna Suraksha Insurance programme presents the Dharmastahala experience. The programme objetive is to sponsor assistance in a more productive form; to provide assistance to promote economic development; and to ensure long lasting benefits to poor families.
Outline:
• Background
• Product delivery description
• Membership, premiums, benefits
• Process analysis
• Administration
• Challenges

Yeshasvini &ndash the Co-operative Farmers' Health Scheme.
Outline:
• Benefits
• Premium
• Working pattern
• Developments
• Claims
• Financial projections

Session 3.1: Microinsurance Awards 2007

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Presents an initiative from ING and PlaNet Finance India. This initiative was designed to:
• Identify best practices and innovations in needs assessment, product design and delivery mechanisms and build a comprehensive inventory of existing schemes in India
• Promote, design and encourage development of innovative delivery models and build capacity for the growth of the Microinsurance sector in India.
Microinsurance Awards last ceremony was held in June-July 2007.

Session 4: Sanjeevani (SKAP) & Naandi Foundation

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Sanjeevani – Sampoorna Kutumba Arogya Pathakam. The scheme presents a comprehensive benefit description; premiums; linkages between health care providers, administrators (TPAs), and insurance.

The Naandi Foundation favours children healthcare. Presents the School Children's Health Care Plan, an example of public-private partnership, which linkages government, healthcare providers, civil society and NGOs.

Session 5: SKS Microfinance

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

SKS mission is to provide financial services to the poor in a sustainable manner. It offers working capital and consumption products.

Session 7.1: Linkages between Statutory and Community-based Organizations

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Session 8: Financing...

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Setting social security standards in a global society. An analysis of present state and practice and of future options for global social security standard setting in the International Labour Organization

Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This technical paper outlines and analyses the present situation as regards the ratifications of ILO Conventions and the current Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All, and contains different options of improving the present situation. It delineates the possible contribution of ILO Conventions and Recommendations to the Campaign.
This document is the result of a consultative process and reflects inputs and comments from the academic world and from ILO constituents.

Shaping the Future of Social Protection: Access, Financing and Solidarity

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The proposals set forth in this document rest on the premise that public policy should be guided by the ownership of rights. These recommendations are therefore designed to build bridges between social rights and the policy guidelines needed to make them more enforceable through improved access, better financing and greater solidarity. To that end, an exhaustive analysis is undertaken of some of the main components of social protection, such as the reform and design of health and social security systems and poverty reduction programmes. A consideration of labour market dynamics and the countries' fiscal positions serves as a basis for this inquiry, which is presented in conjunction with an assessment of the countries' potential for guaranteeing social rights in structurally heterogeneous societes.

Sharpening the Focus on the Poor: Policy Options for advancing social health protection in Indonesia

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Sixty per cent of Indonesia's population is working in the informal sector; most of them are poor and lack social health protection. Extending coverage to the informal sector will make the poor more productive and employable. Overcoming exclusion of the poor from social health protection and cutting links between poverty and health is a pre-requisite for social and economic development. It will contribute to achieving human dignity and social justice.

Showing the way forward: India's redistribution experience in extending social protection to all

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Social budgeting

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

At a time when social protection systems around the world are under scrutiny, this timely and comprehensive book focuses on the improvement of these systems through effective financial planning, management and monitoring. While advocating the use of methodologically consistent statistical data, this guide offers a set of established and pragmatic modelling techniques and explains how they can be used at the national level to better the governance of social protection systems. A joint technical publication of the ILO and the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

Social health insurance

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This manual provides an overview of social health insurance schemes and looks at the development of health care policies and feasibility issues. It also examines the design of health insurance schemes, health care benefits, financing and costs, and organization, and considers the operational and strategic information requirements.
A joint publication of the ILO and the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

Social Health Insurance in Cambodia - 2003-2007 Master plan

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Social health protection in developping countries

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Social Health Protection. An ILO strategy towards universal access to health care (revised)

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This paper is a contribution to the assignment bestowed on the International Labour Organization (ILO) by the International Labour Conference to launch the Global Campaign on Social Security and Coverage for All. The document aims to set forth some basic notions about the ILO strategy on rationalizing the use of pluralistic financing mechanisms. After a brief introduction on the ILO's concept on social health protection, the paper outlines global patterns of social health protection financing and coverage. It proposes a new indicator aimed at providing some assessment of the global deficit in access to health services. It suggests new pragmatic policies to close the gaps, based on a rational and coherent approach.
A first version of this paper was published in 2007 under the same title as a draft for consultation. The current version of the document reflects the vast majority of the comments and inputs provided by ILO constituents.

Social health protection: An ILO strategy towards universal access to health care. Draft for consultation

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This draft paper is the first in the Department's series of papers in the field of social health protection and is a contribution to the assignment bestowed on the International Labour Office by the International Labour Conference, namely to launch a major campaign for the extension of social security to all. It aims to set forth some basic notions about the ILO strategy on "Rationalization of the use of pluralistic financing mechanisms".

Social marketing research on target audiences

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

A brief guide to conducting research on your target audience. Includes key questions to ask, types of research methods, and tips.

Social protection and inclusion: Experiences and policy issues

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This book focuses on the role of social protection in the process towards inclusion in economic, social and political life. It presents some of the most innovative and promising experiences worldwide in this field. Some chapters examine the role of new social assistance programmes in the fight against poverty and combating exclusion. They stress the need for the development of social assistance schemes that act on several dimensions of poverty simultaneously.

Social protection dynamic of extension in Senegal

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Presents the dynamics of the extension of social protection in Senegal during the last decade. Describes the development of micro insurance schemes in the country, showing the different strategies set up and the results obtained, mainly through the articulations and partnerships built up during that period.

Social protection for the informal sector's local infrastructure

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Social security and the right to work: perspectives linking protection and employment

Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This short presentation summarises the following main themes: the historical link between employment and social security; the main challenges to extending social security and guaranteeing the right to decent work today; the key features of a new Welfare state; emerging forms of social security provision; the key issues surrounding ILO's contribution to the Decent Work Agenda and finally potential global and integrated strategies for Decent Work.

Social Security Department

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Description
Since its creation in 1919, the ILO has actively promoted policies and provided assistance to countries to supply adequate levels of social protection to all members of society. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights recognize the right to social security for everyone. The Social Security Department, with its long experience in the field of technical cooperation activities, research and policy development on issues dealing with social security, provides ILO member States with tools and assistance to achieve and maintain for its peoples this right.

Social security for all men and women

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This publication is a consolidation of the research papers and feasibility studies produced by the project "Sub regional Initiative on Social Security for the Pacific Island Countries" that involved five pacific island countries – Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The scope of these reports covers areas of critical importance in extending social security coverage to all workers. These include overview of social security, extension of social security, formal employment sector and informal economy surveys, feasibility studies of pensions, unemployment insurance, traditional systems, workers'compensation, social assistance, maternity protection and health insurance. As a crosscutting issue, focus on gender equality has been underpinned for all the feasibility studies.

Social security for all: Investing in global social and economic development - A Consultation

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This paper seeks to explore the framework within which the International Labour Office should promote a principled, practical approach to social security policy in the new millennium. Integration has to be built around a joint coherent policy vision and building such a policy vision requires debate. This paper is a product of a joint effort of members of the ILO Social Security Department and social security specialists working in the ILO field offices.

Social Security for Unorganized Workers: National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector Report

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The National Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which was formed after the general elections in April/May 2004, was announced on 27 May 2004. It set out the major policy orientations adopted in order to enhance sustainable development in India. In the spirit of the Alliance, it referred in its preamble to the welfare of farmers, agricultural workers and weaker sections of the society and strongly stated a commitment to ensure, through social security, health insurance and other schemes the welfare and well-being of all workers, particularly in the unorganized sector who constitute 93% of the labour force. To follow up on this commitment, the Government established a National Commission to examine the major problems facing the various enterprises operating in the informal economy.
In August 2005, the National Commission published an ambitious plan (The Unorganized Sector Workers Social Security Draft Bill) aiming to provide a minimum level of social protection benefits to some 300 million informal economy workers. This proposal could be viewed as paving the way towards a nation-wide social security system based on the national solidarity principle. Almost one year later, in May 2006, the Commission released its report on Social Security for unorganized workers which included a revised version of this Bill complemented this time with detailed recommendations relating to its implementation mechanisms and financing requirements.
The present document presents this important Bill and provides an overview of the main features, provisions and practical measures recommended by the Commission in order to bring it into existence.

Social security pensions. Development and reform. Executive summary.

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This is a valuable reference for anyone concerned with reforming or establishing pension programmes and for those looking to understand the practicalities and structure behind various pension schemes. By providing a balanced assessment and factual review of what various countries around the world have done, this book assists decision-makers in forming effective, viable pension policy.

Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Europe, 2006

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Highlights features of social security programs in Europe.

Social security reform: Does partial privatization make sense for China?

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

"The challenges of population aging and rising dependency ratios are in part the result of increased life expectancy, but the major factor has been the rapid decline in fertility, due, in large part, to China's strict one-child policy instituted in the mid 1970s. In the future, many Chinese couples will face the task of caring for four elderly parents as well as some grandparents. These changes in family structure and the increase in rural-urban migration due to uneven rates of economic growth are two of the factors contributing to a breakdown of the traditional family support system, which remains the major source of old-age support."

Social Security Worldwide (SSW)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) has developed 6 different databases on social protection. These databases are grouped together in a broader database : the Social Security Worldwide (SSW). With SSW you can get descriptions of social security schemes, as well as information on reforms and legislation. You can also have access to the resources of the ISSA Documentation Centre and a thesaurus of key social security terms. To access SSW, you must register

Social security, poverty reduction and development. Arguments for enlarging the concept and coverage of social security in a globalizing world

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The paper has attempted to put forward a number of arguments for enlarging both the concept and the coverage of social security especially in developing countries. It argues that social security should address the twin problems of deficiency and adversity. As such the concept of social security has been enlarged to include, what may be called, Basic Social Security (BSS) to take care of deficiency and Contingent Social Security (CSS) to meet contingencies.

Social Security: a new consensus

Sun, 14 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This book contains the committee's conclusions from the ILC 2001, large extracts from the report of the Committee's discussions, and the whole of the report: "Social Security: Issues, Challenges and Prospects", which was prepared as a basis for the Committee's discussions. As regard to extending social protection it says that there is need for research, experimentation and innovation.

Solution Exchange

Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

Solution Exchange is an initiative of the United Nations Country Team in India that offers communities of development practitioners a UN-sponsored space where they can provide and benefit from each other's solutions to the day-to-day challenges they face.

South African Microinsurance Case-Study

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The paper reviews the regulation of the South African insurance industry. It provides and account of some interesting developments in the industry that are likely to become increasingly significant in other countries if the microinsurance industry continues to grow. The paper argues that for the most part microinsurance in South Africa consists of funeral insurance, although the author provides an account of the emergence of a range of microinsurance products that are targeted at household enterprises, including hire-purchase insurance.

Sri Lanka - Yasiru Mutual Provident Society Limited

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Sri Lanka Yasiru Mutual Provident Fund Social Security Fund

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Yasiru Mutual Provident Society is the micro-insurance wing of the All Ceylon Community Development Council, an NGO registered in 1993 that is working on social mobilisation and organisation of the poor in various districts of Sri Lanka. Targeting the poorest segments of the population, Yasiru provides its insurance package via a network of partners and membership of the society now totals around 76,000. The product offered covers (for all individual members of a family) death, disability and hospitalisation. Yasiru has been supported by the Rabobank Group and its reinsurance company, N V Interpolis.

Standards for the XXIst century - social security

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

International labour standards are by nature universal in their vocation. They are intended to be applied by the 175 member States of the ILO, irrespective of their legal system or their level of economic development. It should also be recalled that ILO Conventions are international treaties of a specific nature. They are adopted by the Conference, which is composed of representatives of the governments of member States, as well as representatives of workers and employers.

STEP in Africa

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Leaflet of presentation of the ILO-STEP activities in Africa.

Strategies and Tools against social Exclusion and Poverty (STEP)

Mon, 26 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
STEP is a global programme of the Social Security Department of the ILO centered on the poor and excluded populations in the informal economy as well as in the rural sector. STEP works in two complementary fields: extension of the social security in the field of health and the approaches integrated of fight against social exclusion into local level.

Strategies for the extension of social protection

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Strat�gie nationale de protection sociale et de gestion des risques

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Study on the linkages between formal social security schemes and community-based social protection mechanisms

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Gives a brief overview of the social protection system in Rwanda and presents the legal system of social security, providing with further details on health insurance schemes (examples of civil servant and military sector schemes), community-based schemes and the private sector.
It also presents the legal framework that currently exists for the community-based mechanisms of social protection as well as for the informal sector.
Contractual arrangements with health care-providers and linkages between the existing schemes are also studied. Part of the study is dedicated to the Government will of improving quality of and access to health care, as well as to future perspectives.

Sub-Decree Concerning the Establishment of National Security Fund - Cambodia

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This is a decree of March 2007 by which the Prime Minister of Cambodia established the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). Its mandate includes managing the social security system in accordance with the Law on Social Security, managing the investments of the NSSF, collecting contributions from its members and from employers and providing financial support to its members in case of old age, disability, death, labor risk, motherhood, illness etc. In 2002, � The Law on Social Security Schemes for Persons Defined by the Provisions of the Labor Law � gave private sector's workers a right to social benefits for working accidents, disability, old age and retirement (for war veterans). According to this law, its provisions cannot be implemented until the NSSF signs the corresponding applicatory decrees. As far, the NSSF has signed the applicatory decree on work accidents - the decree was signed in 2007 and entered into force in 2008. The corresponding branch on work accidents within the NSSF has been functioning since the beginning of 2009. As for the decrees on health insurance and retirement, they will probably be signed in 2010-2011.

Suivi de la Micro Assurance Sant� AssEF 2003-2004

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Suivi �valuation des syst�mes de micro-assurance sant�

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Swasthya Bima Yojana

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This bill fixes the rules and regulations for the setting up of a subsidized national health insurance scheme for the population living on income below the poverty line in India that will rely on health insurance projects in all the districts of the States of India.
The salient features of the scheme are:
Funding Pattern
(i) Contribution by the Government of India: 75% of the estimated annual premium of Rs.750, subject to a maximum of Rs. 565 per family per annum. The cost of smart card will be borne by the Central Government.
(ii) Contribution by respective State Governments: 25% of the annual premium, as well as any additional premium.
(iii) The beneficiary would pay Rs. 30 per annum as registration/renewal fee.
Eligibility
Unorganized sector workers belonging to BPL category and their family members (a family unit of five).
The beneficiaries will be issued smart cards for the purpose of identification.
Benefits
The State Governments are advised to incorporate at least the following minimum benefits in the package / scheme:
* The unroganised sector worker and his family (unit of five) will be covered. Total sum insured would be Rs. 30,000/- per family per annum on a family floater basis.
* Cashless attendance to all covered ailments
* Hospitalization expenses, taking care of most common illnesses with as few exclusions as possible
* All pre-existing diseases to be covered
* Transportation costs (actual with maximum limit of Rs. 100 per visit) within an overall limit of Rs.1000.

Synth�se des r�ponses des experts sur les r�gles dans le cadre du Projet � Appui � la construction d'un cadre r�gional de d�veloppement des mutuelles de sant� dans les pays de l' UEMOA �

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

System of National Accounts 1993

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This version of the System of the National Accounts is a comprehensive, consistent and flexible set of macro-economic accounts to meet the needs of government and private-sector analysts, policy makers and decision takers. It is designed for use in all countries, whatever their economic, social or institutional arrangements and stage of economic development. This SNA updates and clarifies the 1968 SNA and harmonizes the SNA with other sets of international standards in statistics, particularly balance of payments, government and other financial statistics and employment statistics. It deals more fully with the integration of balance sheets, lays the groundwork for dealing with interaction between the economy and the natural resources of the environment, and elaborates an analytical approach to the assessment of poverty through social accounting matrices.
The 1993 SNA was prepared jointly by Eurostat (Commission of the European Communities); the International Monetary Fund (IMF); the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the Statistical Division (UNSTAT), Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis, and regional commissions of the United Nations Secretariat; and the World Bank.

Syst�mes micro assurance sant� et �tat de sant� dans les pays en voie de d�veloppement : une analyse empirique de l'impact des mutuelles de sant� en milieu rural s�n�galais

Mon, 19 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Tamil Nadu: Kadamalai Federation Health Insurance Scheme (DHAN Foundation)

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Tamil Nadu: Self Help Promotion For Health and Rural Development Insurance Programme

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Technical Assistance for the Promotion of Microinsurance

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Opportunity International's experience in offering centralised insurance expertise to a network of MFIs provides valuable lessons for the promotion of microinsurance. With access to this expertise, OI's implementing partners have developed insurance at a significant rate and in ways that would not have been possible if the MFIs were operating on their own.

Technical Note on the Extension of Social Security to the Informal Economy in Thailand

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Chapter 1 presents an overview of the informal economy and the main issues relating to social coverage for this sector; it focuses on the challenges posed by the different social security needs of this huge and diverse target group, the low and irregular incomes, and the general lack of reliable information.
Chapter 2 looks at approaches to extending social security. It opens with a discussion of key aspects of the design of social security schemes, such as financing, benefit package design, and whether participation should be voluntary or compulsory. It introduces different extension approaches and targets – extending social security not only on the basis of schemes currently in place but through the introduction, for example, of special new schemes, micro-insurance schemes and the universal scheme.
Chapter 3 outlines the studies required and actions that will need to be undertaken in order to design and implement a strategic and cost-effective programme to extend social security coverage to the informal economy and to other population groups not yet covered.

Thailand social security priority and needs survey

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

This survey is the first sampling survey to be carried out in the region. It is aimed at providing a global picture of social security coverage of Thailand, as well as the risk priority, social protection and social security needs of those without social security. It is hoped that the information contained in this report will serve as a basis for the extension of social security to the non-covered population, the majority of whom are in the informal economy.

Thailand: Universal Health care coverage trough pluralistic approaches

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The document presents the pluralistic approaches that were experimented in Thailand in order to reach universal health care coverage. The Thai health care system has a long history, from a fee with exemption system which was gradually replaced by out-of-pocket payment before finally becoming a prepayment system. This is an entrepreneurial system, with both public and private providers, that has progressed thanks to long term plans, continuous efforts and strong commitment to policy. Finally it has been successful in providing health care coverage using pluralistic approaches and health is now considered as an entitlement for Thai people. However, the Thai government still has to face challenges in terms of efficiency, quality and equity. Indeed, the country will have to deal with the problem of ageing populations and redress the unequal distribution of medical staff within the country between Bangkok and the provinces, among other issues.

The case of Tanzania

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The Colombian social health insurance system since the passing of law 100

Wed, 21 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Colombian social health system consists of both a contributory system, covering 15 million employers and workers, and a subsidized system covering 18.5 million poor people with a basic benefits package. The system, in effect since the passing of Law 100 in 1993, utilizes a large-scale mechanism for solidarity and redistribution, with the goal of reaching universal coverage by 2009. The subsidized system receives 70% of its funding from the Government and 30% through transfers from the contributory system. Subsidies are provided to the 'demand side' (social health insurance) rather than 'supply side' (healthcare providers) actors. The Government finances and regulates the system, but delegates its management to a variety of types of insurers (private commercial, private non-profit mutual-type organizations, public), who compete with each other for shares of the market. The mutual sector currently dominates the subsidized system. Thanks to a favorable regulatory framework, over the past 12 years, mutual organizations have progressively merged into 8 large, more efficient structures, 7 of which have federated into a national association called GESTARSALUD.

The Extension of Social Protection in the Field of Health

Wed, 14 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

A series of slides presenting the definition and objectives of social security (SS) and social protection (SP) within the International Labour Organization. The need for the extension of social protection is presented within this framework. The role of health micro-insurance is also presented as a mechanism for the extension of SP, and as one of the main areas of intervention of the STEP Programme in the Social Security Department.

The extension of social security coverage: The approach of the International Labour Office

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Without the introduction of effective measures to extend coverage, the proportion of the population excluded from all protection will increase considerably in the coming years. To meet this challenge, the ILO has developed a new strategy for improving and extending social security coverage. This consists in implementing three complementary forms of action: extension based on "classical" social security mechanism: social insurance, universal benefits and systems and social assistance programmes; the promotion of and support for the development of decentralized systems deriving from local initiatives, in particular micro-insurance; the design of linkages and bridges between decentralized systems and other forms of social protection and public initiatives.

The Geneva Consensus. International Alliance for the extension of social protection

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The International Alliance is a network that includes the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Social Security Association (ISSA) and the most important federations and organizations representing the cooperative and mutual insurance sector. They are all active in the area of extending social protection in the world and share a common vision, values and principles. Altogether they give voice to the interest of more than one billion members in more than 180 countries.
The seven organizations participating in this common initiative, launched in Geneva in September 2005, are: the ILO, the ISSA, the Association internationale de la Mutualit� (AIM), the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the International Co-operative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF), the International Health Co-operative Organization (IHCO) and Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO).

The impact of social health care, health expenditure and impoverishment: A case study of South Africa

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The objective of this study is to analyse the role of social health protection in access to care and poverty reduction in South Africa. More precisely, the study assesses the impact of health insurance coverage on the utilization of health care services and out-of-pocket health care expenditure given use. Special attention is paid to the determinants of catastrophic health care payments and their impact on impoverishment

The Landscape of Microinsurance in the World's 100 Poorest Countries

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

The report provides a description of how microinsurance works and a landscape study (detailed quantative overview) of microinsurance in the world's 100 poorest countries. It was developed by the MicroInsurance Centre with the involvement of Quindiem Consulting, several CGAP Working Group on Microinsurance members and other microinsurance experts.
The first part describes the structure and environment of microinsurance, more precisely the different levels of intervention the development of microinsurance needs. This is followed by a discription of the microinsurance supply chain. Finally, it concludes with the question of microinsurance regulation.
The landscape study analyses more than 350 microinsurance products and over 100 social security schemes. Evidence of formal (non-social security microinsurance) was identified in 77 of the 100 countries.
Microinsurance products and services were found to cover 78 million lives 67.2m in Asia (dominated by India and China), 7.8m in the Americas (predominantly in Peru and Colombia) and 3.5m in Africa.
It identified four main types of microinsurers: commercial insurers (38.0m covered lives found), NGOs (37.4m covered lives found), mutuals (professionally-managed member-owned insurers; 2.5m covered lives found) and CBOs (community-based organizations: member owned and member-managed; 0,7m covered lives found).
The research team found that covered lives were 35 million for health, 63m for life, 40m for accidental death and disability and 36m for property.
Some good news that emerges from the landscape survey is that microinsurance for the world's poor is growing fast, with most of its recent growth coming from the private sector. The microinsurers surveyed predicted at least 10% growth over the following year and 100% growth over five years.

The Likelihood of Enrolment: Evidence from Haryana

Wed, 20 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This study analyzes socio-economic and demographic factors influencing enrolment of households of the Indian state of Haryana to "Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna." This is a voluntary, Government sponsored health insurance scheme for poor households started in April 2008. The paper was written by Nalini Gulati, at the end of her three-months internship at the ILO's Regional Office for South Asia; it is based on empirical evidence from the state of Haryana, a state that is being looked upon as a forerunner in the implementation of RSBY.

Questionnaire used for the survey

The Lure of Microinsurance: Why MFIs Should Work with Insurers?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The microinsurance of SIFFS

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Summary
This 120 primary societies and 30,000 fishermen-strong federation has annual sales of INR 450m (E 8.1m, US $11m) and provides a wide range of activities and services ranging from boat manufacturing, to microfinance or advice to fisherwomen's associations in order to "assume collective control over [the fishermen's] own destinies". The Federation was also involved in the Tsunami relief, particularly by building homes. Because fishermen lead dangerous lives, SIFFS has developed into a not for profit nodal agency that works under a partner-agent model "with various mainstream insurance companies in India" in order to protect its fishermen. It provides an old age security scheme to 2,600 members, which offers remuneration rates of 9% calculated quarterly on members' savings (which total INR 3.5m (E 63,000)). It hopes to extend its non-life insurance category to assets in order to insure the fishing equipment. There are also two types of life insurances, one abbreviated "JBY" for the 7,049 boat owners, which the central government of India subsides at 50% and which covers natural or accidental death, and one for five un-named members of each crew, through a daily register held by the craft owner to cover only the crew members' accidental death while fishing. A secondary school scholarship programme is also offered to JBY members' children.

The Novadeci Health Care Programme, Philippines

Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This case study gives a brief description of the Novadeci Health Care programme and the socio-economic situation in which it operates. It presents detailed descriptions of the scheme's initial and current years of operations, how it was implemented and the characteristics of the scheme. It also brings up the different actors′ points of view. Finally, the study gives recommendations on issues like social marketing and actuarial evaluation.

The regional and global networking

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The role of micro-insurance as a tool to face risks in the context of social protection

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The role of social health protection in reducing poverty: The case of Africa

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Provides evidence that the poverty implications of ill health are clear. There is a strong case for expanding social protection in sub-Sahara Africa: an ethical reason (social protection is a human right), a social reason (there is a strong demand for unmet effective, affordable and non discriminating systems of social protection) and a technical reason (there is little documented evidence of social health protection on health status, poverty reduction and economic growth). If African social protection systems are to cover effectively more people than is the case today, they will need to take a multiform appearance.

The Social Economy driving economic growth and social cohesion

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Conference poster, programme and registration form.

The social protection perspective on microinsurance

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The Unorganized Sector Worker's Social Security Bill, 2007

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

On September 10th, 2007, the Indian Ministry of Labour and Employment introduced in Parliament a new draft version of the Unorganized Sector Workers' Social Security Bill, with the following main features:

The objective is to cover in a phased manner and over a five-year period 60 million Below Poverty Line workers (and their families);
The following main contingencies are to be covered: medical care, survivors' benefits, disability and old-age pensions;
The responsibility to design appropriate health insurance schemes is transferred to the State Governments;
National and State Advisory Boards are to be set up to recommend from time to time additional welfare measures and schemes.

The Welfare Fund for Construction Workers in Tamil Nadu

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Although there are some social security schemes of national application in India, such as the Employees Provident Fund Scheme, they focus on the organized sector, whereas there is a need for a national social security policy. Some states, however, have given greater priority to social security through the establishment of non-contributory social assistance schemes, and the national government has in recent years tried to reinforce these efforts through the National Social Assistance programme. Some states such as Tamil Nadu and Kerala have also given priority to providing social security to unorganized workers through the development of welfare funds based on occupational groups. This study examines the Tamil Nadu experience in this respect with some comparative reference to Kerala. State legislation enacted in 1982 provided the basis for welfare schemes to be set up in Tamil Nadu for specified categories of workers and eight welfare boards have been established with worker, employer and government representatives. The study focuses on the Welfare Fund for Construction Workers (the Welfare Fund), which commenced in November 1994 and provides a range of welfare measures such as benefits for fatal and non-fatal accidents as well as grants for education, marriage and funerals. Manual workers over the age of 15 can register with the Board and pay Rs.25/- as an insurance premium to cover accidental death or disability. In practice, however, workers are registered through their trade unions but the level of registration is low, 18 per cent of two million workers in the sector. Of the 90,000 members identified in a survey conducted under the study, only 200 had received any monetary benefit from their membership. Employers pay 0.3 per cent of each construction contract to the Welfare Fund but compliance is a problem and the benefits are too small to make a difference to living conditions. The study recommends that the contribution rate can be increased to 1 per cent if the following two conditions are met: (i) there is in-depth study done on the reasons for the large current surplus of the fund, and (ii) there is a clear plan about how the current surplus and the increased future resources will be used for greater coverage and improved benefits. Moreover the Welfare Board should take direct responsibility for providing compensation for accidents, such as is done in Kerala. It concludes that there is a need for the various welfare funds to operate on a more uniform basis and that consideration should be given to achieving a greater degree of integration under one single board.

Total public sector expenditure on health in Pakistan

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Towards the universalization of social security: The experience of Tunisia

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

In Tunisia, the number of persons liable to be covered under a social security scheme was estimated in 1999 as 85.5 per cent of the population in employment. The 16.5 per cent of the employed population not yet covered by social security legislation include the following: casual and seasonal agricultural workers, workers on development sites, domestic employees, home helpers, religious officials, the unemploed. The two social security schemes governing the formal sector have registered the best social coverage. However, coverage of other sectors such as self-employed, agricultural and non-agricultural workers and agricultural labourers have not experienced equal success. In order to increase coverage in these schemes measures have been taken with varying success. The objective is to extend and improve coverage of social security by conducting studies and adapting schemes to the needs and financial capacities of the categories of persons; modifying the conditions for determining and recovering contributions taking into account the specific characteristics of the populations concerned; and consulting the representatives of the target population and of employers at all stages during the establishment of the system.

Training and Reporting on European Social Security (trESS)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

The trESS network organises seminars and brings together people who are interested in the European coordination of social security schemes.
This EC funded project is implemented by Ghent University in collaboration with independent experts on European Social Security in the 27 Member States. The project also reports to the Commission on the national implementation of European rules.

Training description - Scaling Micro Insurance in Developing Countries

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:00:00 GMT

This is the flyer of a training organized by the Center for Insurance and Risk Management (CIRM) and the Institute of Financial Management and Research (IFMR). The training will take place in Chennai, India, on 20-26 April 2009.

Training Programme on Management of a Gender Sensitive Health Micro-Insurance Schemes (HMIS) in the Philippines

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Contains information on basic principles and steps in setting up a health micro-insurance scheme, administration and financial management guidelines and tools, as well as monitoring and evaluation methodologies to assess the viability of the schemes. This guide was intended for the managers and administrators of HMIS in the Philippines, for those who are planning to set up one, and for other stakeholders involved in community-based initiatives such as health micro-insurance.
Though the Reference Guide was designed as a stand alone material, there was a need to organize groups of managers and administrators under a training scheme to better appreciate the content of the Reference Guide. As a result of the first training undertaken, ILO-STEP hopes to standardize this training programme in order to benefit others who would be willing to do the same. For this purpose, a Facilitator's Guide is developed to serve as reference for anyone who will be involved in organizing and conducting this Training Programme. The Facilitator's Guide incorporates the methodologies applied during the first batch of training as well as the lessons learnt when the different modules and sessions were carried out.

Training: Strategies for the Extension of Social Protection

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

UNAIDS

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations to the global AIDS response.

Une nouvelle approche pour �tendre la couverture du risque maladie

Sun, 18 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Union Nationale de la Pr�voyance de la Mutualit� Fran�aise

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Union Nationale des Mutualit�s Socialistes en Belgique

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Up-to-date ILO social security standards and their status of ratification

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:00:00 GMT

One of the ILO's principal means of action to achieve the realization of this basic human right is the setting of applicable international labour standards. Since the establishment of the ILO, the ILC has adopted 31 Conventions and 23 Recommendations on social security. In 2002, the ILO Governing Body confirmed eight out of these 31 Conventions as up-to-date social security Conventions.

Uplift India Association

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
UpLift India Association (UIA) is a network of nine organizations involved in activities improving and strengthening the livelihood of the poor since the year 2000 in Pune, Mumbai and now extended to the Marathwada region and Kolkata. It was formally registered as a Section 25 Not for Profit Company in December 2004.
The target population belongs to the class of people who reside in slums and have an income of less than and equal to Rs 2500 per capita income (PCI) per month. UIA is assessing the poverty level through a Poverty Assessment tool.
The association has three programmes:
-An Income Generation Programme,
-A Community-Based Health Mutual Fund,
-A Family-Development Programme.

US Agency for International Developement (USAID)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description

USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Its Work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting: economic growth, agriculture and trade; global health; and, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.

Vanuatu: Actuarial valuation of the proposed Compensation scheme

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:00:00 GMT

The ILO project 'Sub-regional initiative on social security for the Pacific island countries' recommended a social insurance workers compensation scheme for Vanuatu to replace the employers' liability provisions in the existing labour legislation. This report presents the actuarial valuation undertaken to evaluate the proposed workers compensation scheme.

Vanuatu: Report on the implementation of the Health Insurance Scheme

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

The report focuses on the issues related to the implementation of a health insurance scheme in Vanuatu. It aims to provide key information on the aspects to be faced in the implementation of the scheme. Chapter 2 looks into the key characteristics of the VNPF members, including their age-structure and income distribution. Chapter 3 provides the information on the estimated covered population, contribution rate and the estimated contribution income to the scheme. Chapter 4 will analyse how the health insurance scheme will affect the public financing on health. Chapter 5 concludes with the summary of the main findings and recommendation.

Vietnam: National strategy for the extension of social protection

Sun, 17 May 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Vietnam: Social Health Insurance: Current issues and policy recommandations

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:00:00 GMT

This paper aims to provide an overview of the social health insurance scheme in Vietnam, including its historical development and progress, the challenges faced by the scheme and some suggested policy recommendations. Indeed, Vietnam�s health sector has made remarkable achievements offering a widespread health care delivery network, an increasing number of qualified workers, an expanding national public health programme, etc. In 2006, the total number of people covered reached 30.5 million (about 37% of the population), of whom 11.2 million were poor people. However, at the same time, the sector also has to urgently deal with administrative and financial challenges. This implies addressing issues of labour mobility, widening inequalities, an increase in poverty and the impact of the predicted ageing population trend as well as coping with the necessity to cover workers of the private sector and workers of rural areas, the latter representing 70% of the population. Moreover, currently, most health sector spending is based on government budget and on user fees and so an important task is to reform current payment mechanisms. Besides which, the health system needs to be integrated into comprehensive social and economic policies and strategies.

Vietnam:Development of income security

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Vimo SEWA, India

Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Major Breakthroughs
Since the formulation of the business plan, VimoSEWA has made major strides in building an active and responsible management team. With few sources for them to learn from, they have identified problems and developed solutions.
The outreach in 2005 was over 120,000 adults insured, a large increase from the 30,000 insured in 2000. Moreover, members have a much better understanding of benefits. The insurance scheme has enhanced benefits while increasing premiums, responding to members needs and staying within their ability to pay.

VimoSEWA project report

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

VimoSEWA has made continuous and substantial progress since Oct 2001. However there remain many areas that require improvements to reach viability. Renewal rates have increased but need to reach higher levels; claims costs for health have to be reduced, with the best route being via hospital tie-ups and links to SEWA Health. The cost of administering the programme has to be reduced. All of these components are required to reach viability.

Virtual Library on Microcredit and Microfinance (VLM)

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
As a part of the Global Development Research Center, the VLM functions as a repository of information on alternative, non-conventional financial systems and microcredit/microfinance issues.
It also focuses on microinsurance issues in its outreach activities.

What is insurance for the poor?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

What is the impact of social health protection on access to health care, health expenditure and impoverishment? A comparative analysis of three African countries

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

This paper summarizes the results of three individual research projects (Asfaw, 2005; Lamiraud et al., 2005; Xu et al., 2005) measuring the impact of membership in a health insurance scheme in three African countries, namely Kenya, Senegal and South Africa. The first section briefly outlines the health care systems in Kenya, Senegal and South Africa, followed by a short description of the methodology and data used in the research. The last two sections focus on empirical results and policy implications.

Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO) is a global research-policy network that seeks to improve the status of the working poor, especially women, in the informal economy. It does so by highlighting the size, composition, characteristics, and contribution of the informal economy through improved statistics and research; by helping to strengthen member-based organizations informal workers; and by promoting policy dialogues and processes that include representatives of informal worker organizations. The common motivation for those who join the network is the relative lack of recognition, understanding, and support for the working poor in the informal economy, especially women, by policy makers, economic planners, and the international development community.

Working group: Linkages between large scale schemes and (inter)national solidarity

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

World Health Organization (WHO)

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

World in Your Pocket

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Provides indicators reported at the international level of health care and health economics, such as life expectancy, infant mortality, health care expenditure, among others. Selected countries include developed and developing countries.

World Population Prospects

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Worldbank - Social Protection & Labor

Tue, 27 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Description
The mission of the Social Protection & Labor Sector is to assist World Bank country clients to alleviate poverty and promote equitable and sustainable growth.

Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Care Scheme (YCFHS)

Mon, 26 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

A landmark initiative for the farming community in India , "Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Care Scheme"(YCFHCS) is a great boon to the Co-operative farmers of Karnataka. Karnataka has become role model state with the introduction of Yeshasvini. Today, any farmer who is a member of a co-operative society in Karnataka can get the necessary treatment and have access to expensive medical procedures by becoming a member of this scheme.

Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Scheme: A typical example of adverse selection...

Sun, 25 May 2008 22:00:00 GMT

Analyzes the situation and evolution of the Yeshasvini Co-operative Farmers Health Scheme (Karnataka, India) and explores strategies that could be used to address the adverse selection phenomenon it is facing.