by Phitalis Were Masakhwe

The disabled have waged and won many battles against discrimination. However, one hurdle remains. The insurance industry, despite the disability awareness and sensitisation that is fast gaining currency, still regards disabled people as risks, liability and uninsurable group.

Under the international law, it is illegal to deny disabled people insurance services. Article 25 of the UN convention on the rights of disabled calls on states like Kenya "to prevent unfair treatment of persons with disabilities when they want to have health insurance or life insurance". The Persons With Disabilities Act 2003 outlaws all forms of discrimination against disabled persons particularly with regards to services available to all people. So where is the Government when disabled Kenyans are subjected to all manner of harassment by insurance companies?

Disabled persons whose crutches or assistive devices break cannot easily find a replacement. Bizarre questions such as "did you declare you are disabled?" keep popping up even where your disability is as conspicuous as it can get. And woe unto you if you declare you have a disability in the initial application forms. After the medical examination, the companies declare you unfit for cover. They will then send you a polite notice saying "unfortunately we are unable to cover you due to your physical condition". Why accept their initial premiums and subject them to medical assessments if they do not qualify?

Recently, I was subjected to an appalling and humiliating encounter with my employer’s health insurance provider. After fracturing my leg, which also happens to have a disability, I was admitted to the Nairobi Hospital. While lying in bed and in pain, the insurance company sent one of its staff to visit me. I initially thought the visit was part of their public relations with patients under their cover. Little did I know the employee had been sent to find out more about my disability. When I was discharged I was told by the authorities I had to pay about one fourth of the overall bill ostensibly because my insurance had refused to pay for it, arguing had I not been disabled I would not have fallen and hurt my leg.

The concept that disabled people are vulnerable and not suitable for insurance products is predicated on the old school of thought, which viewed them as a liability. Today, we are thinking of insuring livestock against drought. Why lose such a big market of people on account of their physical condition?