NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 16 – IT business company Smart Applications International Limited has introduced a double authentication system on their smart cards, using a One Time Pin to curb fraud, especially in the health industry.
This means that members with biometric medical smart cards will now be able to authenticate and close their medical bills only using the One Time Pin sent to their mobile phones.
Group Marketing Director Smart Applications International Limited Esther Kiringa said that the move further encourages the use of technology that is currently on the rise following the outbreak of coronavirus disease.
“This innovation is in support to the growing need of mobile technologies as well as in support of providing contactless solutions during the current pandemic,” said Kiringa.
She added that the company remains focused on adopting new technology in health to support their customers.
“Smart Applications International, remains at the forefront in taking healthcare innovation to new heights,” she added.
The new security feature will serve over 3,000 healthcare facilities that use the Smart system.
The launch of the product comes a few months later after private hospitals were put-on spot on allegations of exploiting patients for money.
This was after Nairobi Women’s hospital WhatsApp chats appeared to show how the hospital’s bosses set daily targets for the number of patients who should be admitted.
All medical insurers then moved to cut links with the hospital as Association of Kenya Insurance announced that more hospitals and health centers could be involved and that it was investigating other top private hospitals.
As at 2019, insurance penetration in Kenya had dropped to 2.43 percent of Gross Domestic Product on the back of price undercutting in an industry where players are facing increasingly tough competition.
