The possible complementarity between microfinance and human, animal, plant, and environmental health (One Health) comes to the fore at this point in history for multiple reasons, and in one particular country, Bangladesh.  There is the appointment of the founder of the Grameen Bank, a Nobel Prize winner, Professor Mohammad Unus, who is the current interim President of Bangladesh.

The wider context is that there is increasing international recognition that siloing human health to one sector, keeping it separate from the broader ecosystem, will not be enough to address the multiple health challenges that are intrinsically multisectoral. They require engagement, not just at the international, regional, national, or local government policy and planning levels but also by the community itself. In the latter case, it is essential to provide the most vulnerable with the means to improve the likelihood of their well-being.

It is increasingly recognized that no single set of measures taken within one sector can adequately confront the prevalent and persistent problems of ill health, poverty, and social exclusion. Addressing global, community, and family needs with respect to human health will require cross-sectoral approaches, bringing to bear the enormous potential for the simultaneous achievement of both economic and health gains. Linking microfinance service delivery with broader health-related concerns and services is necessary albeit not easy.

To understand better why this is the case, it helps to take a closer look at Professor Muhammad Unus, what he did and the Grameen Bank he created.