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Business Reporter
CASSAVA Smartech Zimbabwe’s health insurance unit, Maisha Health Fund, has launched an innovative and convenient way to register for medical aid cover through the mobile phone.

Cassava Smartech’s chief executive officer, Mr Eddie Chibi, announced the new product on Tuesday, which is expected to enhance inclusiveness in insurance cover.
He said the financial technology group had made strides in enhancing access to healthcare through paperless, digital solutions, that minimise cost, movement and physical contact by members.

According to the company, the service is available to all Zimbabweans and is expected to drive adoption through increased access to digital platforms.

“We are faced with a health access challenge because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the platform will curb the hassles, as well as the exposure that comes from physically completing forms, especially for the marginalised members of our population,” said Mr Chibi.

“The launch of the service, a first of its kind in the health services sector, could not have come at a better time when the nation is battling the coronavirus pandemic.”

He said the service was set to go a long way in reducing infection rates by encouraging social and physical distancing through the use of digital platforms.

As a group, Mr Chibi said Cassava Smartech was committed to serving where the need is greatest, and believes through such innovations access could be widened while ensuring convenience, safety and healthcare affordability to many.
While medical cover has always been the preserve of those in formal employment and often employer-driven, cassava has said its services were aimed at enhancing inclusivity.

“As a country, we currently have more funeral cover than healthcare cover. I believe with this launch, we have broken a major barrier to healthcare access, as we reach out to more people in more places using the mobile phone,” Mr Chibi.

Maisha Health Fund currently provides medical cover to several corporates, individuals, schools, universities and other tertiary institutions nationwide.