Three firms to promote private medical insurance penetration

THE Unisure Group, Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance and Smart Applications International have extended their strategic partnership to promote international private medical insurance coverage in Tanzania.

In his remarks the Unisure Group’s Deputy Executive Chairman, Mr Stephen Conway said that the partnership is unique in that three independent organisations have come together on projects that will provide access to quality healthcare across multiple African countries in a fully regulated way.

The event was held in Dar Salaam at the weekend and involved regulators, key stakeholders to learn and share experience about which the partnership cut across East Africa and was first launched in Nairobi, Kenya, in May.

The Unisure Group’s Head of International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) Mr Daniel van der Merwe, explained that, the partnership not only addresses the regulatory requirements that exist with cross-border insurance transactions, but it will bring quality medical insurance and service delivery to a larger number of members who previously would not have had access to this level of international cover.

In partnering with Smart Applications International, the members will benefit from Smart’s biometric systems, resolving the challenge that many insurers have with regard to direct access to medical service providers, billing, and potential cases of fraud.

“Our goal has been to transform access to healthcare through the use of foolproof digital solutions and to increase medical insurance penetration,” said Grace Gathuri, Country Manager at Smart Applications International, Tanzania.

“For the last 18 years, Smart Applications Tanzania has been a leading pan-African technology player. With access to over 10 countries using our Biometric Smart system, we believe that our partnership with Unisure and Phoenix Assurance will catapult the provision of aims to transform growth opportunities in medical insurance coverage.”

The Unisure Group, Phoenix of Tanzania Assurance and Smart’s strategic partnership extends across East Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, with Uganda and Rwanda following in the next year.