Medical Aid Society of Malawi (Masm), the country’s dominant medical insurance provider, says it has started covering Covid-19 admissions in hospitals with paying isolation units in a move likely to ease congestion in public facilities.
In a circular dated January 28 2021 signed by chief operations officer Dorika Chirwa, Masm said it will cover the admissions and treatment based on set terms and conditions.
The company said it will also pay for Covid-19 admissions upon pre-authorisation based on provided estimate and that once a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19 it shall also pay for Covid-19 tests.
Reads the circular in part: “Since Masm does not cover for screening tests, Masm members who self refer or have negative Covid-19 results will be required to foot laboratory bills on their own.”
Private hospitals on the list include Blantyre Adventist Hospital and Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre, Malamulo Mission Hospital in Makwasa, Thyolo, Partners in Hope, Daeyang Luke Hospital, Nthambi Private Hospital and Likuni Mission Hospital in Lilongwe. The statement also said Christian Health Association of Malawi hospitals are also on the list.
Masm’s decision, which has come against a background of public outcry on social media suggesting the provider had abandoned its members, has since been hailed by both Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) and Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam).
Reacting to the development yesterday, Cama executive director John Kapito said it will ease pressure on many patients while getting appropriate assistance when sick.
He said: “But better late than never. What Masm has done must be commended.”
In a separate telephone interview, Ecam executive director George Khaki also said what Masm has done must be commended as it will lessen the burden on patients when they want to seek medical attention at such private health facilities.
Covid-19 cases have spiked since January 1 with over 300 killed compared to 189 between April and December last year.
During a daily briefing yesterday, Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 co-chairperson Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda announced 289 new recoveries, taking the cumulative total since April last year to 7 548.
She also said there were 644 cases from 2 522 tests conducted in 24 hours, taking the cumulative number of cases to 22 304.
But Chiponda, who is also Minister of Health, said 38 deaths were recorded and that the total number of deaths now stands at 628.
She also said there were 340 people being treated as in-patients for Covid-19 nationwide and that 25 were discharged yesterday while another 25 were admitted to various hospitals.
Malawi first reported Covid-19 cases on April 2 last year.
