Workforce lessons from Grameen Bank

The concept of micro-loans won Muhammad Yunus the Nobel Prize in 2006, but the idea of distributing small loans to poor people for social development is not the only impressive feature of his Grameen Bank. While reading Muhammad Yunus' autobiography, Banker to the Poor on vacation last week, I was impressed by his bank's focus on developing a workforce of young, well-educated workers committed to systemic change in Bangladesh. Although Grameen aims to improve the banking system, organizations interested in effecting systemic change in the American health sector should adopt some of the bank's worker hiring and training practices.

Grameen Bank only hires people "younger than twenty-eight with a master's degree and at least a B average in all final examinations" These workers receive nominal salaries - about equal to entry-level Bangladeshi government workers - but the bank nevertheless attracts "a large number of applications." The applicants hope to forgo salary for social development. Once hired, they take satisfaction in helping others. A young, committed workforce helps spur Grameen's growth. Since Yunus' initial $27 loan in 1976, the bank grew to an institution that has lent over $6 billion to date.

Organizations in the U.S. hoping to achieve similar success in improving the health system should follow the Grameen Bank's approach to workforce development. Much like poor Bangladeshis struggle to receive credit, uninsured Americans lack access to many important health services. Some must decide between heart disease medications and grocery bills. As such, opportunities to improve the health system would appeal to young people interested in social development. Thus more organizations aiming to improve health care in America should take a page from Yunus' book.

Contact Sam: samjmhealth@gmail.com

Picture credit: muhammadyunus.org