This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt normal human interaction, insurance firms in Kenya are turning to technology to stay connected with their customers. One such solution is telemedicine, which has the potential to generate income for the sector.
According to Francis Ngari, Head of Digital at Resolution Insurance, telemedicine is slowly gaining traction in Kenya and could be a game-changer for the industry. 'Telemedicine is slowly picking up in Kenya and if properly utilized, it will push the insurance sector through this season,' he said.
Ngari's comments come as the industry reports a downward trend in claims from hospitals since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March. 'The number of those visiting hospitals has continued to decline, making revenue targets non-achievable,' he added.
Kenya's medical insurance sector has been struggling, with losses of up to Sh1 billion reported in 2018. However, with the rise of telemedicine, there is hope that the sector can turn things around. As Ngari noted, 'if properly utilized, telemedicine will push the insurance sector through this season.'
Published on June 8, 2020, this article highlights the potential of telemedicine to save Kenya's insurance firms from further losses.
