Microfinance and its Contribution to Health Care Access: A Study of Self-Help Groups in Assam

Quality human resource is directly related to the economic development of a nation. Health care options with the rural poor are still highly inaccessible in India due to the economic condition of majority populations and inadequate public health care facilities. The study looks at the possibility of microfinance as an alternative option for financing health care in lower Brahmaputra valley of Assam. The study observes that there has been a considerable improvement in the health conditions of the Self Help Group beneficiaries in the study area. However, there is lots of scope to enhance the quality of manpower in the study area by broadening the health care options through microfinance. Setting up of a welfare fund at the SHG level is appreciable in order to make microfinance a medium of health care requirements.