On 1 July, Opportunity’s Health Leader program expanded into Nepal, with the aim of reaching 1.19 million people over the next five years.

As a nation, Nepal faces many health and development challenges. About 20 per cent of people live below the national poverty line, and many struggle to access basic healthcare.

Health conditions like high blood pressure are common, with more than one in three adults affected. But worryingly, fewer than one in ten local health centres can provide services for these long-term illnesses, known as non-communicable diseases.

Climate change is making things harder. Rising temperatures are causing more heat-related illnesses and changing how diseases spread. At the same time, Nepal’s health system is already stretched thin, especially in remote regions. In rural and hard-to-reach areas, getting to a clinic or hospital can be extremely difficult, leaving many without the care they need.

Opportunity’s health education model trains and empowers women as Health Leaders to deliver community health education in their own communities, facilitate access to health services and products, and improve health.

Typically, these Health Leaders are micro and small business owners, and the program also supports Health Leaders to develop sustainable livelihoods by selling health products and services like menstrual pads, basic medications and health insurance and facilitating teleconsultations.

The program will launch in the Lumbini and Koshi Provinces initially, with plans to then expand to additional regions, working with microfinance partners, with an established presence and high levels of trust in these communities.

Community of practice relaunched in Bangladesh

It takes a village to drive health initiatives to reach and uplift marginalised women — and we're so grateful to be in partnership with implementing partners and a global network committed to women-led community health programs.

In early July, 26 delegates from eight countries across four continents joined us for Opportunity International's inaugural Health Partner Summit in Tangail, Bangladesh. The summit brought together representatives from four Opportunity International offices and five implementing partners, all running our Health Leaders project.

A key focus of the summit was how to advance women’s health and economic empowerment through community-led health training. The event also celebrated the relaunch of our Community of Practice — a direct response to partner feedback calling for more opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and learn from one another.

A big thank you to all those who attended the Health Partner Summit. We’re excited to work with you all in the future as we expand our Global Health program into new regions and territories.

Learn more about our health program, which leverages our microfinance partners to improve health outcomes for communities in need.