Zhenjiang, December 8, 2013 - In recognition for their outstanding work in providing quality insurance program in Pakistan—Naya Jeevan was named winner of the 2013 Asia Society-Bank of America Merrill Lynch Asia 21 Young Leaders Public Service Award (Asia 21 PSA). Dr. Zahra Shah, Head of Medical Services, accepted the award during the ceremonies last December 7th at the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit in Zhenjiang, China.

Naya Jeevan is a not-for-profit social enterprise that advances the lives of low-income families by providing them with affordable access to quality healthcare. Their mission is to provide social protection to low-income families in an efficient and inclusive manner through a unique micro health insurance model. Naya Jeevan partners with multinational corporations (MNCs) and cascades its ‘health plan for the marginalized’ up and down their value chains, targeting low-income stakeholders such as suppliers, distributors, microretailers and domestic workers. In addition to health insurance, Naya Jeevan also works towards improving family health through health education and reducing infant, child, and maternal mortality within low-income populations residing in urban areas of developing countries.

The Asia 21 Public Service Award recognizes an organization that has made an outstanding contribution in reaching underprivileged social/economic groups by providing a meaningful service to a community and the public in the region. The selection is overseen by the incumbent Asia 21 Fellowship Class, a core group of young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific, based on project innovation and feasibility, quantifiable impact, sustainability and growth potential.

Aside from receiving $10,000, Naya Jeevan also gains access to the network of resources and expertise of the 2013 Asia 21 Young Leaders Class. This may include interaction in such areas as Strategic Planning, Capacity Building and Training, Resource Mobilization, and Program Development and Management.

ABOUT THE ASIA 21 YOUNG LEADERS SUMMIT

The Asia Society’s 8th annual Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit was held in Zhenjiang, China from December 6 to 8, 2013. It brought together more than 100 young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific to develop common approaches to meet the region’s shared challenges. The three-day event revolved around the theme From Passion to Action: Asia 21 Innovating for the Future.