Significant gaps in access to basic healthcare services persist globally for the underserved, particularly for lower-income individuals at the base of the economic pyramid (or" BOP") and women. Common barriers include awareness, access and affordability of healthcare services. Digital health technologies and models have the potential to bridge these access gaps. Inclusive health models have the potential to bridge these gaps by enabling healthcare providers to embed approaches and models which can reduce barriers to health for the underserved, in particular the BOP and women. One example of an approach which has been emerging in recent years has been the use of digital technologies which can increase information flow and cost-efficiencies within healthcare systems, equip providers and facilities in more remote settings to improve availability and quality of care, put more information and choice into the hands of patients, and ultimately expand geographic reach of health services. However, a number of barriers still exist in enabling the private sector to reach the underserved including: more limited business case, less know-how and experience on most effective approaches, and more limited patient data on that patient segment. Further, digital health is still a nascent area and one that while it has the potential to reduce access gaps facing the BOP and women, need to be designed with them in mind to ensure that they do not perpetuate inequality based on factors such as digital literacy and connectivity - or the "digital divide". During this project, IFC will work with Nephroplus, an IFC client who is the largest provider of dialysis services in India. The focus of the project is to measure the company's reach among the underserved including the BOP and women, and then to develop an inclusive digital health strategy to expand underserved patients' access to their health services. Learnings from the project will also be used to increase IFC's inclusion focus its healthcare client engagements. Findings will be disseminated publicly to foster greater inclusion of the BOP and women in health services and to share best practices on how to do so.

Performance Standard	Description and Potential Impact	Mitigation
Performance Standard 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts	As part of its Due Diligence, and as mandated by IFC Sustainability Policy, IFC team has screened this project to assess consistency with IFC's Performance standards. Environmental and social risks will be further reviewed throughout the life-cycle of the project.	IFC advice will be provided in a manner consistent with the principles of the relevant Performance Standards. The IFC team will assist the client, as final decision maker, in gaining a good understanding of IFC's Performance Standards, and provide recommendations for appropriate mitigation measures whenever warranted