BY BOY FIDEL LEON
In a groundbreaking move to address the pressing healthcare needs of Uganda’s informal sector, Airtel Mobile Commerce Uganda Limited (AMCUL) and Prudential Assurance Uganda Limited have joined forces to launch “Hospital Sente,” a low-cost hospital cash insurance product.
This transformative initiative, in collaboration with Insurtech Turaco Insurance Brokers LTD, aims to provide accessible and affordable medical insurance services with funeral benefits to underserved communities and low-income individuals and families.
Despite being the fastest-growing class of insurance business in the country, health insurance uptake in Uganda remains alarmingly low, standing at less than 1% according to the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) 2022 August publication on the National Health Insurance Scheme. The report highlights the urgent need to expand access to insurance services for both formal and informal sectors, enabling Ugandans to avail themselves of quality health services.
The Hospital Sente product has witnessed tremendous success since its introduction to the market in March this year, already reaching over 370,000 users within just three months. This overwhelming response underscores the critical demand for inclusive and affordable medical insurance options within the country.
Japhet Aritho, Managing Director of AMCUL, expressed his satisfaction with the enthusiastic uptake of the Hospital Sente service, stating,
“We are impressed with the positive uptake of the Hospital Sente service since it was introduced to the market a few months ago. The service has been extended to over 370,000 users since we launched it, which showcases the need to design services that address what our people need.”
The fundamental philosophy behind Hospital Sente is to offer immediate medical treatment without the burden of upfront cash payment. Subscribers can access medical services and defer payment based on their subscribed policy, effectively removing financial barriers to quality healthcare.
As of June 2023, the efficiency of Hospital Sente was demonstrated through the processing of claims worth over UGX 5 million shillings in less than 24 hours. This prompt claims processing ensures that customers, healthcare providers, and caregivers can swiftly address urgent medical needs.
One satisfied customer, Moses Hardyson Nangiro, a piggery farmer from Karamoja, shared his positive experience with Hospital Sente. Following a boda-boda accident that resulted in his admission to a health center, Moses could not afford to pay for his treatment. Having learned about “Hospital Sente” from a TV advertisement, he promptly registered for the service and sought assistance via WhatsApp from Turaco Insurance Brokers LTD.
“I opted to engage Turaco, for further assistance via WhatsApp, and within a few minutes, I was guided on how to access the benefits and the documents I needed to submit. After a few days, I was able to claim my benefits” Moses Hardyson said.
“Hospital Sente” offers multiple plans to cater to diverse needs and budgets. With a monthly premium as low as Ushs 1000, subscribers can access a hospital cash payout of Ushs 40,000 and a funeral plan of Ushs 1 million under the Silver plan. The Gold plan offers a funeral benefit of Ushs 2 million, a hospital cash payout of Ushs 60,000 per night, and a monthly premium of Ushs 3,000. The Platinum plan provides a funeral benefit of Ushs 4 million, a hospital cash payout of Ushs 100,000 per night of admission, and a monthly premium of Ushs 5,000.
Zainab Zimbe, a mother of two, further exemplifies the positive impact of Hospital Sente. Falling sick weeks after signing up for the service, she was concerned about her children’s well-being during her hospitalization. After her discharge, Zainab was relieved to receive a payout of Ushs. 40,000, demonstrating the service’s reliability and support during critical times.
Japhet Aritho stressed the significance of collaboration between various sector players to enhance the well-being of Ugandans. He said, “If we collaborate with various sector players, we can devise solutions to pertinent issues by designing products that elevate our people’s well-being.”
As “Hospital Sente” continues to drive transformative change in the healthcare landscape, Airtel Money customers can easily subscribe to the service by dialing *185*7*6#. The partnership between AMCUL, Prudential, and Turaco represents a promising future for the informal sector, ensuring that quality healthcare remains within reach for every Ugandan
