This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
On May 7, 2020, M-Tiba launched an innovative SMS-based service to support the identification of essential healthcare service providers working under the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF).
The KHF, comprising over 75 organizations in the health sector, has seen its members face challenges in carrying out their duties during curfew hours or when transiting through lockdown areas.
According to Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, CEO of the KHF, the service will enable security agencies to verify the identity of healthcare workers by sending a free SMS with the worker's ID number to 20253.
Upon receiving the SMS, security agencies will receive a confirmation message from M-Tiba authenticating the ID and, when available, vehicle registration details.
Over 2,000 staff of KHF member organizations have already been registered on the platform, with a further 2,000 healthcare workers expected to register in the coming weeks.
Dr. Nyalita emphasized the importance of maintaining the availability of essential workers, medications, equipment, and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As all efforts are directed towards containing the spread of COVID-19, we need to simultaneously support and maintain the availability of essential workers, medications, equipment, and supplies. Our partnership with M-TIBA will help our members and the security services smoothen the flow of these essential services at this critical time,” she said.
M-Tiba's parent company, CarePay Kenya, is continuing to work with healthcare providers and insurers to find new ways to use the platform to ensure the safe and uninterrupted provision of healthcare and supplies.
