Preventing a health crisis

For many rural families, local health volunteers are their first line of defense. (Photo: Karl Grobl for Grameen Foundation)

In India, like in many countries where we work, poor rural people struggle with healthcare. They are often too far from local hospitals and couldn't afford treatment even if they could reach a doctor. Faced with daily health risks such as malaria and dysentery, they often do not have the knowledge or basic medicines they need. 

That's why we work with local partners to train community health workers. These local volunteers learn how to spot the symptoms of common conditions and stock supplies and medicines to treat them. They visit neighbors in their homes and refer them to a doctor's care if the illness is serious. For thousands of poor rural families, they are the first line of defense against a health crisis.

Learn more about our health programs here.