Jubilee Health Insurance launched its wellness initiative, Maisha Fiti, in the Ugandan market on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to promoting the physical and mental well-being of its customers.
Through Maisha Fiti, customers will be empowered to take control of their preventive and curative health. The programme — which includes an app, MaishaFiTi — will create a forum for users to engage with peers and medical experts on a range of issues including nutrition, lifestyle management, maternal and mental wellbeing, and various other related topics.
Recently, there has been a significant increase in diseases and conditions related to personal lifestyle choices. According to the World Health Organization, 41 million people worldwide die each year from non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Uganda is also affected by this global health crisis, with the burden of lifestyle-related diseases taking a heavy toll on individuals, families, and the country’s health infrastructure.
It is estimated that 39 per cent of deaths in Uganda are caused by NCDs, and every Ugandan has a 22 per cent chance of dying prematurely from one of the four major NCDs. Physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, and poor diet have been identified as the main factors contributing to the rising burden of disease.
Lifestyle-related diseases, which are often preventable, have far-reaching consequences for individual well-being and the country’s health infrastructure. The Maisha Fiti programme will invest in health education and initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles.
Speaking at the launch, Dan Musiime, chief executive of Jubilee Health Insurance, noted that the increase in lifestyle-related diseases is a critical issue that requires immediate attention.
“Lifestyle-related illnesses not only impact an individual’s quality of life but also places an enormous burden on a family’s and nation’s resources. The alarming increase in lifestyle-related illnesses demands that we urgently prioritise our health. Maisha Fiti will encourage our customers to make informed choices about their diet and overall wellbeing,” said Mr Musiime.
Jubilee Health Insurance has also launched a campaign called “Do Anything for the Steps” to motivate individuals to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives. This campaign encourages people to take up activities such as walking, running, or cycling to increase energy levels and overall vitality to make life more enjoyable.
To take part in the campaign, individuals must purchase JCare Medical Cover from the company’s website. The company will then provide a free smartwatch to enable the customer to enrol in the Do Anything for the Steps campaign.
The challenge allows customers to set targets for physical activity they want to achieve in a given period. Individuals who meet their targets will receive up to 20 percent discount or cash back on their health insurance premiums.
Commenting on the campaign, Caroline Ndungu, head of marketing and corporate communications at Jubilee Insurance Group, said incentivising physical activity will help combat the rising tide of lifestyle-related diseases.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that individuals and businesses need to come together to tackle the growing health crisis. Our company is focused on empowering people to access both preventative and curative care,” said Ms Ndungu.
“This campaign will empower individuals to engage in physical activities that not only improve their wellbeing, but also pave the way for healthier and happier communities. In addition, the lower premiums will make health insurance more accessible and affordable,” she added.
The ‘Do Anything for the Steps’ campaign is the first of its kind in the health insurance sector in East Africa. The yearlong campaign will significantly reduce the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases and promote physical and mental health.
Jubilee Health Insurance is a subsidiary of Jubilee Insurance, which operates in several countries in Africa, including Uganda.
Jubilee Health Insurance in Uganda offers a range of customisable health insurance plans and products designed to meet the specific healthcare needs and preferences of individuals, families, and businesses. These include cover for hospitalisation, out-patient services, maternity care, dental care and more. It also offers corporate health plans tailored to the needs of businesses.
