In a world where quality healthcare often feels like a luxury only the affluent can afford, clinicPesa is making strides to change that narrative for over 1.5 million Ugandans. As part of the ongoing #40Days40FinTechs initiative, this innovative platform is revolutionizing how individuals save for healthcare, ensuring that even the most vulnerable populations can access medical services when needed.
Quality healthcare should be a fundamental right, yet in many low-income countries, it remains out of reach for the majority. Eng. Chrispinus Onyancha, the Founder and CEO of clinicPesa, emphasizes this issue: “Though expensive, quality healthcare is a basic need and somewhat a human right! Unfortunately, in low developed countries, quality healthcare is a preserve for the rich and those connected to big organizations that offer health insurance packages.”
Recognizing the challenges faced by the less privileged, clinicPesa provides a digital wallet that allows users to save as little as UGX 500 towards their healthcare needs. Additionally, the platform offers healthcare loans to help cover unexpected medical expenses. “What we do at clinicPesa is that we enable those without access to healthcare financing to save for healthcare,” Onyancha explains.
One of the standout features of clinicPesa is its accessibility. Users without smartphones can easily get started by dialing 16544#, while smartphone users can download the app from the Play Store. This ensures that even those with limited technological resources can benefit from the services offered.
Among its unique offerings, clinicPesa has introduced clinicPesa Mamas, a specialized product aimed at expectant mothers. This initiative helps women prepare for their pregnancy journey, covering everything from antenatal care to safe delivery. Onyancha describes it as “a behaviorally driven mobile money maternal health savings account platform that empowers expectant women and couples to access timely savings towards maternity care.”
Since its inception in 2017, clinicPesa has seen remarkable growth, onboarding over 800,000 new customers in the past year alone. Currently, the platform is available in more than 2,700 healthcare facilities across Uganda, including clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies. Onyancha proudly states, “We started in 2017 and today, we have over 1.6 million customers on our clinicPesa platform.”
Moreover, clinicPesa operates under the strict regulations of the Bank of Uganda, holding both a payment system operator license and a payment service provider license. This regulatory framework ensures that users’ funds are secure and protected from misuse.
As clinicPesa continues to expand its reach and impact, it stands as a beacon of hope for many Ugandans. By enabling individuals to save for healthcare and providing essential financial support, clinicPesa is not just a fintech solution; it’s a lifeline for those who need it most.
Eng. Onyancha encapsulates the mission of clinicPesa perfectly: “To implement this, we have partnered with MTN MoMo… enabling our customers to save and also use our loan offerings to pay and clear their medical bills.” In a country where access to quality healthcare is often a privilege, clinicPesa is working diligently to ensure that it becomes a right for all.
Related: JUMO extends digital loans to over 5 million Ugandans
