Old Mutual pays health workers’ Covid-19 claims

Old Mutual (Malawi) plc says it has settled one claim with two others in the pipeline four months since the launch of its K25 billion Covid-19 cover for health workers.

Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (Malawi) managing director Roy Punungwe said in an interview on Monday that the three claims, which are worth K1 million each, follow the death of a doctor and two nurses.

He said: “We have three claims to date, two in the pipeline and one that we have settled for K1 million.

“It has been well in terms of processes but there have been some data challenges from the council. We are hoping to resolve this in the coming weeks but it has been very unfortunate for the nation and we are trying as best as we can to be there for the community.”

In May, Old Mutual (Malawi) plc announced that it will provide K1 million-worth of free Mlera Life Cover to an estimated 25 000 registered frontline health workers during the Covid-19 pandemic in the country to the tune of K25 billion.

Through the six-month cover, which runs through to October and aims to financially safeguard workers registered with the (MCM) and the Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM) as they serve the nation during this period, Old Mutual pledged to pay K1 million to the beneficiaries’ family or beneficiaries if a healthcare worker dies of Covid-19.Medical Council of Malawi

Unlike traditional cover offered under the Mlera Life Cover where a policy holder is required to pay premium, healthcare practitioners will not pay any premium for the six-month period.

MCM acting registrar Dr Richard Ndovie said as of on Monday, the council has registered three deaths of medical doctors.

He, however, said the council is still receiving forms from practitioners and sharing the same with Old Mutual as some did not apply.