Relief for poor patients as new online system sends help their way
A doctor measures a patient’s blood sugar level. A new online platform has been launched in Kenya, allowing people to buy medical packages in private hospitals. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The packages are classified into hospitals, doctors, wellness and community.
- They start from as little as Sh2,400 for four visits a patient to as high as Sh2 million for 100 women’s antenatal visits and normal delivery.
- The community package can take care of several patients in an area for maternity, malaria or any other disease.
- The doctors are listed according to their specialisation and where they are based.
A new online platform has been launched in Kenya, allowing people to buy medical packages in private hospitals for those who are unable to afford it.
Afyasend is a web-based platform where people, even those living abroad, can buy packages in select private hospitals for patients.
Dr Akoko Orinda, one of the directors of Afyasend, said the idea was inspired by the generosity of Kenyans amid a growing need for medical services and low insurance cover among Kenyans.
“Apart from taking care of those related to you, it offers a chance to philanthropic people who would like to support others but do not have a structured way of doing so,” he said.
The packages are classified into hospitals, doctors, wellness (mental health, diet and exercises) and community.
FOUR VISITS
They start from as little as Sh2,400 for four visits a patient to as high as Sh2 million for 100 women’s antenatal visits and normal delivery.
Under doctor and community categories, one chooses whether the bundles will be for general illness, malaria or maternity.
The community package can take care of several patients in an area for maternity, malaria or any other disease.
The doctors are listed according to their specialisation and where they are based.
Afyasend is in partnership with Kenya Association of Private Hospitals in whose health facilities the bundles will be used. The platform is anchored on Kenya Commercial Bank which takes care of the payment methods such as cards and M-Pesa.
Currently on the website (www.afyasend.org), there are already eight hospitals with several branches scattered across the country. So far, partnerships have been sealed with hospitals in Nyanza and western Kenya.
Dr Akoko said the hospitals must be registered by the medical board.
Dr Timothy Olweny, the secretary-general of the Kenya Association of Private Hospitals said the platform makes the burden lighter for physicians.
“Since the costs take care of laboratory tests and medicine that will be prescribed, the doctor does not have to make the clinical judgment to modify the prescription because the patients could not afford a lab test or medicine,” said the secretary-general.
Economists have cited out-of-pocket expenses in Kenya as one of the main challenges facing patients.
