Rural Private Hospitals Association partners with Smart Applications International to provide affordable healthcare

Smart Applications International Group Managing Director Mr Harrison Muiru (left) exchanges MoU documents with Rural Private Hospitals Association chairman Dr Brian Lishenga (Right) when the two penned the agreement at International Live House on Wednesday October 21, 2020.

By Reporter

Kenyans will now access automation and affordable healthcare services after Rural Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) and Smart Applications International entered into partnership.

In the agreement Smart and RUPHA will place best efforts to mutually engage all private and National Insurances for adoption and use of both RUPHA entire panel of providers and smart Biometric solutions for member access to healthcare services and claims management. This should include NHIF and any insurance not on either Smart nor using RUPHA providers.

Smart Applications International Group Managing Director Harrison Muiru and RUPHA chairman Dr Brian Lishenga, Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the two adopt and use smart hospital management information system (Smarthealth+) which will extend and promote the use of smart developed HMIS.

“In carrying out their roles and actions under this MOU, the parties shall take due regard to the obligations contained in their respective agreements with underwriters, scheme owners or any other third parties that they have an arrangement with”, said the MOU in part.

Dr Lishenga said RUPHA has 256 members in the country and is represented in all the 47 counties with a determination to provide affordable healthcare.

He said RUPHA was providing 40 per cent of the healthcare services in the country and therefore the new partnership will go a long way helping Kenyans reach more healthcare providers,

Mr Muiru said signing of the MOU starts a new journey where Smart and RUPHA will work together to provide more affordable health care.

“We plan to introduce Smart cards where patients will use it to access healthcare services anywhere in Kenya”, he said.

The chairman of Smart Applications International Mr Chris Kirubi who addressed the meeting which took place at International Live House offices virtually welcomed the signing of the MOU and noted that the partnership will ensure Kenyans access cheap medical care.

Smart Applications International is Africa’s leading bio-metric technology company while RUPHA is an association of privately owned medical centers, outpatient centers, ambulatory care centers, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, diagnostic centers and hospitals reaching all 47 counties in Kenya. It plans to introduce different innovative technological solution which will enhance healthcare access for patients across the country which is in support of the government’s Big 4 agenda in health care.

Dr Lishenga requested the government to support them as major partners in the fight against Covid-19. Not all private hospitals are well established to fight the coronavirus, but with the support of the government they will all emerge winners against the pandemic, he added.

He said partnership between Smart and RUPHA will greatly support the government efforts in combating Covid-19 and other pandemics, using technology.