Insurance players in Uganda have on Wednesday unanimously agreed to extend the existing medical insurance policies to cover cases of COVID-19. This has been announced by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) of Uganda in a statement.

The move follows efforts by the IRA to get the players in the sector to support government efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The statement signed by the institution’s Chief Executive officer, Alhaj Kaddunabbi Ibrahim Lubega reveals that insurance players will make an exemption to the standard policy terms and conditions that exclude pandemics.

“Valid claims for medical expenses for the treatment of insured patients infected with COVID-19 will be admitted”, the statement from IRA reads.

The cover for COVID-19 may include testing, treatment and care at the Government designated facility.

“Medical insurance policyholders and other customers are therefore encouraged to seek further details and clarifications from their medical insurance providers”, the statement reads.

Already, some Insurance sector players like Prudential are already running campaigns to help their clients fight COVID-19. Last week, Prudential revealed its plan to give a cash pay-out to a client holding a Pru Edusave or Prudential medical card, who, unfortunately, is diagnosed with COVID-19.

The number of COVID-19 cases globally now stands at over 1.4 Million. Among these, 83,401 have died and over 300, 000 have recovered from the dreaded pandemic. Uganda has registered 52 confirmed cases at the moment without a fatality and a recovery.