Advancing Disability Equity through Access to Finance and Health Care Services in India and Bangladesh
Case-studies | February 19, 2025
ADDC Executive Member, Opportunity International Australia is working with local financial service providers and organisational of people with disabilities (OPDs) in India and Bangladesh, driving sustainable access to financial and healthcare services. The Health Camps have empowered 200 people with disabilities in India, addressing barriers to affordable microinsurance and healthcare.
These initiatives include the successful organising and running of Health Camps to help identify and reduce the obstacles that people with disabilities have in accessing healthcare.
In Bangladesh, Opportunity is delivering integrated health services by BURO Bangladesh. This sees healthcare delivered to local villages in Bangladesh by trained medical assistants and paramedics. This program has not only been successful in improving the access to healthcare for people with disabilities but has also allowed the opportunity to gain employment through this program.
“Words cannot express how much I have benefitted from this work,” Hafzarun, a Community Health Educator.
Hafzarun, quoted and pictured above is a Community Health Educator helping deliver the Basic Health Education Programme. She was born with visual and physical disabilities and was a recipient of the BURO Bangladesh initiative. She has since used this experience to gain employment within the program as a Community Health Educator and continue delivering vital health services to other villages in Bangladesh.
Partnership and collaboration to deliver such programs are vital not only for addressing the health needs of people living with disabilities but also to allow for opportunities for employment. The opportunity for employment helps address both the need for increased employment for people with disabilities as well as addressing the gender gap in employment. Opportunities such as this not only benefits the individual but also their family and the wider community.
Through this opportunity, Hafzaran is now able to fund her children’s education as well as establish a business with her husband.
Thank you to Opportunity International Australia for sharing your important work in India and Bangladesh.
Caption for banner image: Hafzarun, a Community Health Educator, born with visual and physical disabilities, is providing basic health services in Bangladesh.
https://www.addc.org.au/case-studies/opportunity-international-australia-case-study-partner-organisation-uplift-and-uttam-social-foundation-organisation-of-people-with-disabilities
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