Community Health Fair benefits more than 2,500 microfinance clients in Cebu

MORE THAN 2,500 clients of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) operating in Cebu benefited in the recently concluded community health fairs of MFIs for Health in the cities of Lapu-lapu and Carcar, Cebu.

MFIs for Health is a partnership among 18 MFIs in the Philippines, which was formed in 2012. It shares mutual goal of inclusive provision of health services to microfinance clients as part of their overall social development. Through MFIs for Health, community health days are continuously held all over the country and gather various microfinance members and their dependents together for free medical and dental services.

“Clients are not the only beneficiary of this program. When a family member is ill there’s always a domino effect especially on their productivity. Thus, access to health-related programs and services generally includes the household, not just the client,” said Marilyn M. Manila, Chairman of MFIs for Health.

Microfinance is considered as an instrument in the poverty eradication. MFIs now go beyond microfinance and look into providing health services to their clients as having sound health conditions is also essential in reaching development.

According to Ms. Manila, poor health in the family affects small and medium entrepreneurs’ ability to look after their businesses. This situation will hinder them in meeting their basic needs. They would end up using their savings and sometimes borrow from usurious lenders to defray health expenses. This drives the MFIs for Health to provide health protection services to their clients.

The ASA Philippines Foundation, Inc., CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), KFI Center for Community Development Foundation, Inc. (KCCDFI) and Kabalikat Para Sa Maunlad na Buhay, Inc. (KMBI) participated in the said health fair in Cebu.

Fourteen doctors and 10 dentists, together with 40 volunteer nurses and BHWs of Carcar City conducted free consultations, medical check-ups and dental services. Medicines were also given for free to beneficiaries.

BotiCARD Inc., pharmacy and a member institution of CARD MRI, facilitated the distribution of medicines during the said health fairs.

“It’s good to know that there are companies and groups like MFIs working hand-in-hand with doctors in each community to deliver health services to the poor. On our end, we’re very happy to be part of this effort and we are looking forward to more health fairs here in Cebu,” shared Dr. Shiela Santillan, Cebu City physician and one of the participating doctors in the health fair.

The MFIs for Health already conducted 19 community health days across the country serving 24,415 Filipinos since its establishment in August 2012.