IXL Social Enterprise Case Studies Chronic Diseases October, 2013 | Page 17

Improving Chronic Disease Care in Slums by 2019

do not have sufficient education do not typically have enough knowledge about proper chronic
disease prevention, diagnostic, treatment and care options.
Slum dwellers also struggle to build significant savings accounts that are critical to being able to
pay for medical care and services.94 Without a savings account, people sometimes fundraise for
their own medical procedures by begging in their own communities.95 Those lacking in healthcare
in slums typically have incomes between 1 USD to 5 USD a day. Social enterprises that target this
segment will have to provide low-cost solutions that consider financing and savings opportunities
within this income level.
Partners across the value chain are difficult to work with dependably
Pharmaceutical producers, medical equipment manufacturers, and distribution networks to
hospitals and clients must ensure quality care. However, most players in the healthcare value chain
are remote and ill-designed for slum environments, which make the whole value chain fragile. Social
enterprises will face significant challenges in building a consistent and predictable supply chain.

Version 2.0, January 2014

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