NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Gamal Abinsaid, 24, set up Garbage Clinical Insurance to help communities in need turn their household waste into something that could improve their health.

It might sound unusual, but it works. Gamal’s company, Garbage Clinical Insurance (GCI), has already helped more than 2,000 people in Indonesia gain access to medical support.

A young doctor himself, Gamal was inspired to set up the micro-insurance programme which empowers people to take an active role in managing their waste and improving their sanitation.

Turning waste into well-being

Individuals are encouraged to collect their household waste and submit their refuse to one of five GCI-accredited clinics. It’s then processed. Organic waste becomes fertiliser while inorganic waste is sold to collectors.