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Overall Objective

The overall objective of the "Pro MHI Africa"-project is:

to strengthen the capacities of participating universities to make a tangible contribution to the development of effective and actionable social health-related programmes particularly in the domains of access to healthcare & poverty reduction of low-income population segments.

Specific Objective

The specific objective of the "Pro MHI Africa"-project is:

to improve knowledge about the functioning of micro health insurance and
to put it into practice

With a newly designed micro health insurance curriculum, which is based on research, capacities among university students, micro health insurance workers and government officials will be built in the field of micro health insurance.

Concrete Research Objectives of "Pro MHI Africa"

Many people in the informal sector of Africa live in poverty and hence are not in a position to bear the cost of medical care. To resolve this problem, it is considered that Micro Health Insurance units (MHI) will be best suited as it penetrates to the grass routes of the community. MHI by involving the local community is considered as the most important innovative model in reducing the risk of catastrophic health care costs and improve access to health care within a reasonable time frame, at reasonable costs.

In order to achieve the research objectives, following aspects were taken into account at the kick-off-meeting of the “Pro MHI Africa”-project conducted in Accra in March/April 2008:

(a) Research as a basis for Curriculum Development

Knowledge is the basis for finding a solution to any problem. An in-depth knowledge is lacking in the area of MHI. Such knowledge will be created through the research project embarked. This research will create a knowledge base and develop effective products to support the local market. This will be achieved by qualitative and quantitative research techniques. The knowledge generated by such research can be used for the curriculum development in the participating universities.

(b) Capacity Building in micro health insurance

The “Pro MHI Africa”-project will enable the participating post graduates students and teachers to cooperate in an international research network and enable them to write their theses and develop a curriculum, teaching material and to teach jointly.

(c) Curriculum Development and introduction of a MHI Diploma

Lack of knowledge among stakeholders in the market was identified as a major problem, hindering the development of this pro-poor market. Participating universities will fill this gap by developing modern lectures so as to educate decision makers of tomorrow in government, industry and civil society. Teaching material will be developed for those who play an active role in market, but not attending a University. Curriculum development will be based on research findings. The module combines multimedia and participatory teaching approaches. The Research Team aims to introduce a joint diploma in MHI to provide adequate sustainable skilled professionals for the fast growing (Micro) insurance industry.

Consultation and Assistance to MHI units and Public Bodies:

Pro MHI links theory and practice in the demanded field of health insurance for the poor population segments. This project will also work closely with existing MHI units. Results of this research will enable participants to render suitable advice to stabilize MHI units and to improve out reach.