Leading ICT and biometric giant, Smart Applications International Ltd, fondly known as, Smart, today launched a virtual mode of medical access, aimed at enhancing patient experience, providing health on-the-go, and providing instant onboarding support to medical insurers, for enhanced provider transparency in healthcare administration.
The virtual access will be available on both a newly developed app dubbed Smart Access and through the short code *891# for Safaricom subscribers.
Smart has been providing biometric smart cards to all its clientele as the mode of identification for access to medical services installed in over 6,000 healthcare facilities across Africa. With the growing adoption of mobile technology globally the Smart Access will be a timely upgrade from physical biometric smart cards to virtual access.
Through the app, patients will be able to access healthcare insurance, view utilisation of their covers instantly, read informational articles about their health, and geolocate their healthcare providers of choice at the tap of their screens. This service will be available in the 11 countries that Smart currently operates in.
Speaking during the launch, Smart Applications International, Managing Director, Mr. Harrison Muiru, noted that, “millions of Smart customers will now be able to use virtual access to pay for services across all lines of healthcare. We are cognizant of creating transformative patient centric solutions that address current needs in such economic times”.
Mr. Muiru further noted, “Our team has worked on the Smart Access App to ensure that this unique and comprehensive solution offers accurate users an opportunity to manage access health education on various topics of interest, check for closest medical providers with specified services These features will go a long way in the promotion of trust within the healthcare ecosystem”.
“With our newly launched app, a customer traveling through the 11 countries covered by Smart can access healthcare by using the app across all lines of healthcare without having to worry about pre-authorization or even coverage,” said Esther Muiruri, Sales & Marketing Director, Smart Applications International. Smart Applications is committed towards pioneering digitization across Africa and beyond through provision of World Class Technology Solutions
L-R Chumz Operations Analyst Velma Cherotich, CEO Samuel Njuguna and Software Engineer Evans Munene during the launch of #SuperFans Challenge feature on Chumz App
By Fred Maingi
Football fans will get a rare treat after Chumz, a mobile app came up with a plan that will enable football fans to save money incase their team win, lose or draw. during the ongoing World Cup. The App will allow Kenyans to invest as little as Ksh 5. The App launched comprise of in-app feature that will enable football fans save money while cheering on their favorite teams. Dubbed #SuperFans Challenge, football fans can decide what amount of money they want to save should the team they are supporting win, lose or draw throughout the World Cup and Premier League season. “We are excited to launch this functionality in the Chumz App especially around this time when the World Cup is ongoing and people are investing more time and money to follow the world’s biggest sports event,” noted Samuel Njuguna, CEO of Moneto Ventures Ltd, Chumz App developers. “As part of discouraging consumerism and encouraging a saving and investment culture especially among the youth, we are challenging Kenyans to enjoy the game but also save a dedicated amount of money on the Chumz app which will earn them interest whilst creating lasting memories,” he added. The launch comes in the midst of the ongoing Fifa World Cup which is being watched by billions of people across the world.
Teams that have already qualified for the round include African champions Senegal, reigning World Cup champions France, record winners Brazil, European champions Portugal as well as England and the Netherlands. African teams are still in with a shout with Ghana and Morocco placed second in their groups while Cameroon will advance to the knockout stages should they win their final group encounter against Brazil. “We are rooting for our African brothers and hoping they go far. We hope Kenya will get there some day but until then, we want help put down an efficient saving structure for sports lovers,” said Njuguna. The Chumz App allows anyone with a mobile money account to be able to create financial goals as an individual or as a group, invest their money towards the goals, and to track progress and earn interest.
Chumz Software Engineer Evans Munene, CEO Samuel Njuguna and CFO Titus Marenye during the launch of #SuperFansChallenge
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy Hon. Eliud Owalo
by Maximilla Wafula
Mr. Philip Dalmas of Institute of Human Resource Management led other Fellows of the Institute of Human Resource Management, CEOs and Business men during the congratulatory breakfast meeting in honour of Hon. Eliud Owalo , Cabinet Secretary Information , Communication and Digital Economy at Safari Club Towers Nairabi . This opens the path for more people to access opportunities and in this case it raises the profile of the HR professionals in the Country .
This occasion provided a wonderful opportunity for us to reflect on the growth of the profession, 35 years since this wonderful institution was established and 10 years since the enactment of the HRMP Act No. 52 of 2012. We stand on the shoulders of great men and women who have devoted themselves to the growth of the HR profession and I am pleased to see some of them in this room. Said Mr.Philip Dalmas.
Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo is a vastly experienced HR professional, Management Consultant, Economist, and Strategy expert. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Strategic Management, from the University of Nairobi and holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Human Resources Management, from the same University
The Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo appreciated the leadership of the Institute of Human Resource Management, led by the National Chairman CHRP Odero Phillip Dalmas. “I do not take for granted the honor you have bestowed upon me by hosting this breakfast in my honor” . I am a proud HR professional who has consulted and advised organizations and governments on matters of people management. I will be calling upon many different categories of professionals to support the effort to migrate into the digital working space, CS said.
We must reimagine the future and reengineer ourselves for it. We must be predictive and create our own spaces, into and in, that future. We must also develop the right attitudes towards technology and not resist change. with people
From the development of the digital infrastructure to digital skills we need the human resource. It is important for us that this resource will be home-grown. I call upon HR professionals to reimagine the jobs and the competencies that are required for the new digital world.
I encourage us to embrace the opportunities that technology and the digital economy present in supporting the youth through coaching and mentorship using available technology platforms. As a Ministry, we will endeavor to engage HR professionals through the professional body as we design, develop and implement initiatives for the benefit of our beloved country.
I call upon the leadership of the institute to create a pool of HR professionals who can advise the state and non-state actors on matters of people management, productivity and skill development for the digital economy. I will gladly spearhead the initiatives where IHRM can collaborate with other stakeholders in an effort to transform the development and management of our workforce in order to remain competitive in the global scene . Ends …
Highchem pharmaceutical company has been in the healthcare business since 1999.
“As a company our customers are our priority through ups and downs we have always devoted to improve health and productivity in veterinary and home care,”According to Mr. Wachira Maina ,E.A MD for HighChem group.
Speaking when he presided over the grand opening, Mr. Wachira said this is big milestone for us and to the customers,” he added
Nairobi, Kenya… 29th November, 2022…. Stakeholders have been urged to build from the basic primary healthcare level in the journey to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Speaking during a stakeholder’s breakfast meeting to chart the way forward on Kenya’s road to UHC, Samantha Weya, the Healthcare Consulting Lead at Zamara Actuaries said that there was a need for an increased engagement at the grassroot level to aid in developing healthcare systems that best address population needs. “Our systems as industry players should be built with patients at the center and focus on data driven solutions to improve primary health challenges”. Speaking during the panel discussion, Dr. Elizabeth Wangia, UHC secretariat, Ministry of Health said, “the journey to achieving universal healthcare is a significant component of our 2030 sustainable goals thus merits our attention and participation as key stakeholders. The journey is not easy, as we have heard, but we are taking steps in the right direction, and the country’s leadership is committed to delivering UHC.” Dr. Wangia urged the private sector to put an emphasis on primary healthcare and come up with solutions to aid patients to take care of their health concerns.
“There is no way to accelerate healthcare solutions other than digitization which is a government priority. This is achievable through collaborations with private healthcare players, she said, adding that there was a big role for private health insurers to play in the pursuit of UHC in the country.
“With regulatory support from the government, there is space for insurers to provide more affordable products that cater to the mass market by providing benefits beyond the essential benefits under UHC,” she added.
The NHIF (Amendment) Act 2022 was created as a result of the 2021 NHIF Bill, which established the legislative foundation for Kenya to achieve UHC, becoming law in 2022. The Kenyan UHC program began in 2018 as a pilot program in four of Kenya’s 47 sub-national governments (Ministry of Health of Kenya 2018).
Nairobi bar owners on Tuesday asked for forgiveness from President William Ruto, Governor Johnson Sakaja as well as residents of Nairobi.
Boniface Gachoka, secretary general of National Bar Owners Association (BAHLITA) said that most of their members have complied with the noise regulations in residential areas.
“Today we have come to ask forgiveness from the president, governor and Nairobi residents,” Gachoka said.
He called on the governor to establish a taskforce to investigate clubs that are breaking the noise regulations.
He noted that the bar closure has affected 3900 bars and 256,000 people has lost their jobs directly and indirectly so far.
BAHLITA said that their short term measure is to appoint an environmental expert so that bars can follow the law.
“We want to concentrate on friendship with Nairobi residents,” he said.
Governance Expert Dr. Fred Ogola , today led other learned professional, prof. Charles Oloo , Dr. Churchil Saoke , Amorell Juliana and Dr. Baba Zuri of Kenya University Students Organization President and other Stakeholders during the Launch of Nationwide Signature Collection for the proposed constitution of Kenya Amendment Bill , 2022 at the Bomas of Kenya .
This Bill is a culmination of nationwide consultations and deliberations through forums as “Bunge LA Mwanachi “and town hall meetings with professional bodies , private sectors players , Civil Society and the Media . The discussions culminated into proposals for constitutional changes structure into the following thematic areas and spread across .
Is
The proposed changes span across the following key thematic areas , namely accountability, youth and persons living with disability , leadership and integrity , representation of the people , Devolution and Public Finance . Food security , healthcare , education and other fundamental rights , and not for individual enrichment . We have entrusted some people , the public servants to look after these billions for the benefit of you and me feeling of pinch which comes when Kenyans sleeps hungry and not managed to pay school fees .
Operation Linda Ugatuzi believes that together we can form the Government of the people for the people, and not for the wolves , it is common knowledge that those who tried entering the government through the BBI and those who managed to enter the government by blocking BBI both used public resources. Fortunately for both parties they got positions with which to comfort themselves , while we , the common people of Kenya , went home with higher taxes , heavy bills and more and more debt to pay .
This proposed amendment bill will ensure that even the common man and woman comes comes out of election with something to divide rather than leaving divided .
Following the nationwide consultations and deliberations through forums of Bunge LA Mwanachi and town hall meetings with professionals , we therefore proposed the following amendments .
By Njeri Irungu Shop owners and micro-retailers have embraced the use of technology in operating their businesses, which is improving performance, as has been observed by the non-profit international development organization TechnoServe. TechnoServe notes that micro-retailers are using digital solutions provided by Retail Pay, Tanda, and Market Force, in key areas including financial management, inventory management, and financial services, which in turn is improving the performance of these businesses. “Digitization of processes is making it possible for micro-retailers to improve supply chains, financial linkages, and inventory management all of which are necessary to efficiently serve their customers,” said TechnoServe Regional Program Manager Alice Waweru. She added that capturing of data and processing it also presents an opportunity for micro-retailers to make better data-driven decisions in their day-to-day operations. These insights arose from the 6th Stakeholder’s forum hosted by TechnoServe and its partners, including Moody’s Foundation, Elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization, MasterCard Centre for Inclusive Growth (MCIG), Citi Foundation, and the University of Nairobi. TechnoServe has additionally found that improving efficiencies coupled with other initiatives such as proper bookkeeping can increase micro retailers’ longevity and increase revenues by up to 45 percent. The organization is also working on ways to improve micro retailers’ efficiency; including giving technical advice on how these businesses can aggregate to benefit from economies of scale. Since 2015, the organization has worked with 55,435 micro-retailers on improving their enterprises.Additionally, 23,369 micro-retailers have managed to secure loans valued at $5,277,848 through the assistance of TechnoSeve’s Smart Duka program. Micro-retailers can additionally fill the gap left by large multinational retailers exiting Kenya and the wider African “There is a great opportunity for micro-retail shop owners as large multinational retail outlets exit the Africa retail market space but to efficiently fill this gap duka owners must use technology to improve processes,” said Ms. Waweru.
Eng. Robert M.Tunje – SBS Tanks East Africa With the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation. Hon. Alice Wahome.
By PATRICK KIMANZI & MAXIMILA WAFULA / THE COUNTY DIARY
For 23 years, SBS Group has sustained it’s premium production of non-corrosive ZINCALUME material, leak proof tanks whose internal PVC liner ensure no contamination of water/stored liquid as content is not in direct contact with tank walls/shells, it’s engineers have said.
Speaking during the Engineers caucus in Mombasa, Robert M. Tunje said;
During the fete, the SBS Group stand stood out in popularity and was graced by non other the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation Hon. Alice Wahome.
MORE INFO;
SBS GROUP is a renowned ISO 9001:2015 and ISO18001:2007 accredited company that was established in 1998 in Durban, South Africa.
SBS Solutions East Africa Limited was registered in Kenya and situated in Nairobi, Kenya. Our company is proudly affiliated to various professional bodies and organizations.
We are the preferred liquid storage solution provider in various sectors i.e. municipal, water conservation, food & beverage industries, mining, fixed fire protection, to name but a few.
Please note that we have installed over 3,000 tanks around the world and have several tanks in East Africa available for your viewing at your convenience.
Our tanks are pre-engineered and meet international standards including pre-shipment inspection certificate of conformity.
Manufacture = 1 – 3weeks (for tanks not in stock.)
Tank capacities : 12M3 to the 3,300M3
Installation = 1day to 2 weeks from the smallest tank of 12M3 to the biggest tank size i.e.3300M3
We are offering an improved, secure, reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective water harvesting and water storage solution.
THE SBS TANKS BENEFITS:
Tank compliant with international standards and fully certified by consulting engineers.
Tried and tested for over 23 years.
Unique modular design – easy to transport. May be dismantled and re-installed at a different site.
Wide range of capacities from 12,000 liters (12m3) to up to 3.3million liters (3,300m3) and above, with flexibility on size depending on space available.
Rapid on-site construction (17days for 3,300m3 tank) and ready for operational use upon commissioning.
Installation done at safe working heights.
Our tank shells are made of non-corrosive ZINCALUME material, leak proof tank with internal PVC liner thus no contamination of water/stored liquid as content is not in direct contact with tank walls/shells.
We offer 10 years written warranty on the liners.
Lifespan: 65+ years of tank service with little maintenance.
Cost effective tanks. Foundation is very easy to construct.
High aesthetic value.
Experienced workforce with over 20 years’ experience in Africa and many countries around the world.
SBS Tanks are the trusted, cost-effective solution when it comes to the manufacture, supply and installation of premium quality water storage solutions with high resistance to corrosion and no leakages.
For more information about our company and SBS Tanks specifications of our premium tank product, please click on the following link to our website www.sbstanks.com
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Water , Sanitation and Irrigation Hon. Alice Wahome today joined the policy makers , practitioners , academia and stakeholders drawn from the engineering industry in the local and international arena in the opening of the 29th IEK International Convention Conference in Diani Reef Beach hotel, kwale County . She applauded the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) together with its collaborating partner, the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) for making it possible to bring together key players and thought leaders in areas of engineering and engineering affiliates to discuss, deliberate, critique and exchange knowledge around the convention theme of “Sustainable Engineering in the Era of Climate Change”.
The Kenya Kwanza Government Plan is to bring down the cost of living, eradicating hunger, creating jobs, expanding the tax base, improving our foreign exchange balance, and inclusive growth. She outlined out the government key priority areas which include ; Agriculture, to boost value chain through blending & branding and move from rain fed to irrigated agriculture; on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) economy, to establish MSME Business Development Centre in every Ward, and an industrial park and business incubation centre; on Housing and Settlement, to Increase supply of new housing to 250,000 per annum and percentage of affordable housing supply from 2% to 50% and to ensure progressive realization of the human right to water, sanitation and Irrigation and food security.
Healthcare perspective, the government intends to integrate Information Communication and Technology systems to enhance telemedicine and health management information systems; and on Digital Superhighway and Creative Economy to construct 100,000km of national fibre optic connectivity network which will increase and fast-track broadband connectivity across the country .
Further, the Cabinet Secretary Hon. Alice Wahome emphasized that beyond the overdue, legitimate and priority concerns of resilience, mitigation, loss and damage, Africa offers unique potential to play an indispensable positive role in the planet’s climate future. Africa’s vast tracts of land, deep treasures of diverse natural resources, tremendous untapped renewable energy potential, and a youthful, dynamic and skilled workforce constitute the continents irresistible credentials. Opportunities abound in Africa, such as green energy, smart agriculture, de-carbonized manufacturing, e-mobility and green building, all aimed at the attainment of zero carbon by 2050.
The theme for this 29th IEK Annual International convention, “Sustainable Engineering in the Era of Climate Change,” speaks directly into the bigger picture that His Excellency presented at COP27. Climate action is an ongoing process, not an event, and it requires extraordinary collaboration from a multi-disciplinary professional undertaking. Such convention provides a critical opportunity for policymakers, industry experts, academicians, scientists, engineers, students, other professionals, business community and government leaders to double on their climate goals, forge new collaborations, and egenerate enough clean energy for the whole continent
Engineering is a very important and learned profession . Members of the profession recognize their work that has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people, profession engineers must perform under a standard of professional behavior which requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct on behalf of the public, clients, employers and the profession.
She was more concerned about events that led to unnecessary loss of life, more so, where such situations are under the specific control and order of appropriately trained, skilled and qualified personnel. The public outcry of collapsing infrastructure leading to an unnecessary loss of human lives need to be taken seriously by all the stakeholders, some of whom are gathered here today. Besides loss of lives, such unnecessary collapse of infrastructure impacts the economy and equally results in loss of investor confidence.
She urged all players in infrastructure development, be the investors, county governments, private sector, contractors, or the general public to engage professionalism at all levels of the value chain. As the government commits to work closely with the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK)and the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). Ministry will look into the matters raised by the engineering profession .
Enhancement of capacity building of engineering professional by providing a percentage of project costs to be applied for graduate Engineers internship, masters, and PhD of engineering in specialized and emerging fields like bio-medical engineering.
Sustainability in this era of climate change is our challenge and each one of us individually and collectively have a role to play in saving this planet and the people. We owe the society a solution to these global problems for which you are entrusted with the relevant education, training, and qualification. looking forward to fruitful engagement in this Convention and it is my singular honor to declare this Convention officially opened. Ends ……
