The Sunday News
Chrispen Gumunyu, Business Reporter
ONE of the country’s leading medical aid insurance provider, First Mutual Health has extended its low cost medical aid scheme, MicroMed to small-scale and artisanal miners.
First Mutual Holding Limited group head of marketing and communication Mrs Jackie Jangira said through its partnership with Fidelity Printers and Refiners it has managed to introduce its medical aid scheme, which mainly targets the informal sector and small-scale and artisanal miners.
First Mutual Health, a subsidiary of First Mutual Holdings launched its MicroMed plan late last year.
“First Mutual Health has partnered Fidelity Printers and Refiners in an effort to provide awareness to the small-scale miners on the importance of having medical insurance cover so that they do not lose income in the event of illness. The company is committed to continue engaging at all platforms as part of its financial inclusion strategy aimed at providing quality healthcare to the uncovered,” said Mrs Jangira.
The new medical aid plan offers low premiums that best suit low income earners.
“Most people in the informal and small to medium enterprises sectors of the economy experience financial catastrophe when they fall sick. In most cases the breadwinner is the one who gets bed ridden hence the whole family suffers as they seek to finance medical bills out-of-pocket. This is what the MicroMed plan seeks to prevent by giving peace of mind to people from all walks of life who have been left out by the traditional health insurance products from as little as $6 per month.
“MicroMed affords members access to general practitioners, council hospitals, council clinics, Government and mission hospitals as well as medication. Above all, in the event of the principal member dying there is a funeral cash payout to the dependants that comes free of charge. The plan is open to individuals, organised groups, and corporate clients in an effort to bring financial inclusivity to the population especially to low income earners,” she said.
Mrs Jangira said uptake of the scheme since last year has been encouraging.
“MicroMed Plan membership has been growing significantly since its launch in December 2018 with members coming from various sectors of the economy,” she said.
@chrispen_gee
