ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an overview of the development of health cooperatives and healthcare systems in Asia, specifically focusing on Japan, China, and India. In Japan, in the early 20th century, farmers’ medical cooperatives were established to overcome limited access to medical care in rural regions. Influenced by the Raiffeisen model, these cooperatives expanded. Cooperative models such as Koseiren and Zenkyoren catered to different regions and population segments, significantly providing comprehensive insurance and healthcare services. In China, health cooperatives were established during the Sino-Japanese War to ensure healthcare provision based on the model developed in Serbia. The Cooperative Medical System targeted rural areas and experienced significant growth until the 1980s when it declined due to economic reforms. The introduction of the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme aimed to address healthcare disparities, strengthen healthcare in rural areas, and reduce inequalities. Health cooperatives emerged after WWI significantly based on the Serbian model in India. While Gujarat and Kerala were the pioneering states, cooperative societies spread throughout India in the 1920s and 1930s. The chapter is supported by a case study showing the possibilities of addressing diversity for empowerment.
