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

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Twenty years ago in Nepal, the first modern example of social franchising for health – the application of commercial franchising strategies to achieve public health goals – began expanding access to quality health services.

This year, PSI and Marie Stopes International, two organizations that have long-employed social franchising to improve health outcomes, came together to create an online course on social franchising, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Social franchising creates networks of healthcare providers or clinics, typically with a focus on small-scale private practices rather than facilities in large, government-run health systems. Borrowing practices from commercial franchises like Starbucks, PSI franchise members, or “franchisees,” work under a common brand, adhere to strict quality standards, and offer specified services.

In order to reach the underserved, franchisees are obligated to offer services at affordable prices. As “franchisors,” PSI and its national partner organizations train, equip, and support franchisees to expand the range of health services they offer, improve service quality, help underserved populations overcome barriers to access, and collect data on performance and impact.