The issue of mental health and the high rate at which it is affecting citizens in the country and across the world took the center stage at the 16 annual Association of Insurance Brokers of Kenya conference.
The conference attracted stakeholders in the insurance sector from across the world at the leisure lodge resort in Kwale.
Chiromo hospital group CEO Vincent Hongo said that the Kenya mental health amendment act 2022 that was signed into law in June is a great milestone to the health sector since mental health matters can be insured unlike before.
“We have now opportunity to help Kenyans suffering from mental illness because they can be insured against it,” he said.
The insurance stakeholders said that mental illness will be given priority in insurance like other physical sicknesses in the country saving thousands of people who had no option.
He said that mental illness is high across the world with Kenya reporting 25 per cent of outpatient and 40 per cent of inpatient cases.
“The high rate at which people are suffering from mental health is worrying and therefore mental illness insurance package is the only solution to it,” said Hongo.
The Association of insurance brokers in Kenya CEO Eliud Adiedo said that mental illness had been considered as taboo with insurance company excluding it.
The Association of Insurance Broker vice chair John Lagat said solving mental illness in the country will be critical through insurance companies.
Lagat said that the conference has helped insurers to discuss and come up with the best way forward on the issue.
