Digital Finance (Mobile Money)

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About the HFG Digital Finance Activity

Cash payments in the health system can carry security risks, increase vulnerability to fraud and leakage, and are often associated with high administrative costs and burdens. The Health Finance and Governance (HFG) Mobile Money Activity is exploring mobile money as a potential tool to address these inefficiencies and expand the reach of priority health services to vulnerable populations, including women, girls, and the poor.

A community health worker on a home visit

A community health worker on a home visit (Chelsea Hedquist/Photoshare)

HFG activities are focused on:

  • Documenting and disseminating (via publications, presentations, and a bi-monthly project newsletter) information about mobile money applications in the health sector
  • Providing tailored country support to catalyze new mobile money use cases and generate evidence on the benefits and cost-effectiveness of mobile money

Read our “Mobile Money Defined” brief to learn more about the mechanics, potential benefits and global reach of mobile money. Early project findings show that, in the appropriate context, mobile money can be leveraged to strengthen health systems in the following ways:

  • Expand Access. Financial services allow individuals to save and mobilize funds for health care and acquire health insurance.
  • Increase Efficiency. Timely and secure transfers reduce cash management costs, logistical constraints, and administrative burdens.
  • Enhance Security. Mobile payments facilitate accountability, reduce leakage, and increase physical security.
  • Improve Service Delivery. Faster payments motivate providers to improve delivery and patients to increase service uptake.

HFG Mobile Money Activity contact: Pamela Riley (Pamela_Riley@Abtassoc.comand Emily Mangone (Emily_Mangone@abtassoc.com

Connected experts:
Pamela Riley
Emily Mangone
Marty Makinen

 

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