The World Bank Group (WBG), through its India Development Marketplace (IDM) initiative, has chosen GNRC formerly known as Guwahati Neurological Research Centre to receive a grant of US$150,000 for providing quality healthcare services at affordable prices to people around Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya.

IFC, a member of World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. The grant was announced by Onno Ruhl, country director, India, World Bank and Anil Sinha, regional head, South Asia Inclusive Business Models, International Finance Corporation (IFC) during a conference and workshop on development marketplace in Guwahati.

The award was presented by Ruhl and Jitesh Khosla, chief secretary, Government of Assam to Dr Nomal Chandra Borah, chairman, GNRC.

“The grant and tailor-made capacity development programme by the World Bank Group (WBG) is a big support to our mission of making a meaningful impact in the lives of people by providing quality healthcare services at affordable prices. It will help us to scale up our operating model and bridge the gap between healthcare requirement and availability,” said Dr Nomal Chandra Borah.

Through its India Development Marketplace initiative, the World Bank Group (World Bank and the International Finance Corporation) identifies and supports scalable, replicable and financially sustainable projects that offer solutions to the most pressing social, environmental and economic problems. The social enterprises which were recognised for India Development Marketplace 2014 awards, went through an extensive due diligence and evaluation/meticulously evaluated for their demonstrated projects.

"IDM 2014 has surfaced some of the most innovative solutions for delivering crucial services in healthcare, finance, education, water and sanitation to the poor living in Assam, Mizoram and Meghalaya. From scaling up access to low cost healthcare, tapping unbanked populations through technology, to providing energy efficient solutions for water and sanitation issues, these winners demonstrate intent and potential to create a more meaningful impact in the lives of poor. Their work with the communities helps us, and the government, understand what really works on the ground," Ruhl added.

“Inclusive businesses have the potential to provide innovative and sustainable last mile delivery solutions in assisting the underserved. Linking these early-stage enterprises to next-stage financing through grant support and advisory services will refine and strengthen their business models and ensure their sustainable impact over the long-term. The focus of 2014 India Development Marketplace in northeast India will help support inclusive growth in this priority region,” informed Anil Sinha.