NIGERIA – FBNInsurance, a life insurer and a member of the SANLAM Group, has partnered with global travel insurer Collinson to launch SmartHealth International, a market specific international health insurance product for critical medical conditions.

To address the health insurance gap in the Nigerian market between domestic and international health insurance products, the firms partnered to deliver affordable health insurance products for Nigerian employers, desirous of protecting and giving peace of mind to their employees and families, it stated.

“At a time when the demands of even the best of healthcare systems globally are under pressure, it’s vital to provide healthcare alternatives to consumers, particularly in markets where we have identified a gap between domestic and international cover,” Lawrence Watts, Head of Insurance at Collinson, said.

According to a statement, NAICOM approved SmartHealth International was designed to complement local healthcare cover by providing cover for treatment abroad if an employee or family member developed a critical medical condition that could not be adequately treated in Nigeria.

“FBNInsurance, a leader in life insurance in the country, delivers products that help customers enjoy the peace of mind that comes from managing the risks of everyday life and the introduction of a health insurance proposition complements its portfolio strategy,” the statement said.

With national presence in strategic geographical locations across the country, FBNInsurance will market SmartHealth International across Nigeria, while partnering with Collinson to leverage its in-house international insurance and assistance expertise to provide international access to an extensive network of Collinson certified medical providers.

“At FBNInsurance, one of our primary objectives is to help people, businesses and communities get back on their feet when the unexpected happens and it has never been more pertinent than now to offer our customers more choice and peace of mind when it comes to their healthcare,” the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, FBNInsurance, Val Ojumah, said.

SmartHealth International is a solution for the treatment of complex and critical care treatments. The proposition has been designed to cater for specific critical complex medical events such as cancer and those requiring renal, orthopaedic and neurosurgery, as well as serious trauma injuries sustained in road traffic accidents.

These are the primary medical conditions for which Nigerians are currently leaving the country to seek medical care abroad.

Each case will be individually case managed and assessed, working closely with attending doctors in conjunction with Collinson’s expert international medical team. Depending on the level of cover purchased, eligible policyholders will be flown to South Africa, India or the UK, and even North African countries, where Arabic speaking is required.

Liked this article? Subscribe to DealStreet Africa News, our regular email newsletter with the latest news, deals and insights from Africa’s business, economy and more. SUBSCRIBE HERE