INSURANCE COMPANIES IN TANZANIA COUNSELED OVER MEDICAL COVER FOR BAJAJ DRIVERS

By BETA Magali

THREE wheeler motor cycle drivers (bajaj) in Dar es Salaam have requested insurance companies to come out with the medical cover that would enable them to access service in case of accident.

Speaking to this paper in an interview in Dar es Salaam they said they encounter a very big challenge in getting treatment when they are involved in an accident.

 “We  ask insurance companies to create medical cover that would make us to access services in case of injuries so as to save our lives,” said Baruani Kilasara from Ilala.

He said at the moment most of motor cycle drivers do not have any medical cover, hence they face a very bad experience when they are taken to the hospitals in case of accident.

 Most hospitals attendant first want to know who will take care of our treatment, if you do not have enough money they leave you as you without any treatment, he said.

 Kilasara said  if the services would be introduced they would join hence avoid such unnecessary problems at the hospitals.

 Another driver identified as Selemani Kambi from Temeke, said the idea to establish medical insurance for them has come at a right time since there has been an increased number of accidents.

 We have seen an increased motor cycle accidents in recent years most of injured persons do not get reliable treatment at the hospitals for failure to have medical cover, hence introduction of that service would be a  redeemer to us.

According to him many hospitals have set up special wards for motorcycle accident victims due to the high number of crashes blamed on irresponsible riders.

 Once introduce, the service  will  make the bajaj  business, which has in recent years employed thousands of youths, more costly  attractive because of medical assurance .

 The boda boda industry has become a key player in the provision of jobs and a source of living for many youth.

 Being a profession where no formal academic qualifications are required, many youth find a footing in the industry, sometimes even learning how to ride on the job with a passenger on board.

The repercussions for many riders involved in the accidents have become fatal leading to loss of lives not only to the rider but also the passenger.It is estimated  that ,d there are more than 40, 000 boda boda  and bajaj riders in Dar es Salaam  alone

Reacting to the concern, the Deputy marketing manager of Reliance Insurance Company, Rajabu Mussa , said it is difficult to establish medical insurance for bajaj driver due to the nature of business.

 Most of drivers do not own motorcycle and cannot afford to pay for the insurance cover, however there is need for the Tanzania Insurance Regulatory Authority (TIRA) to come out with new strategies that would accommodate them.

Experts say the motorcycles offer a quick means of transport in Dar es Salaam and other cities. Most of the city’s residents prefer bodabodas to commuter buses because they can more easily weave through traffic jams.

At least 50 percent of bodaboda drives work for employers, according to data released by the chairman of bodaboda riders in Ilala District, Jackson Mfugale.

“Most of us here have no motorcycles, we are just working for our bosses, and they are the ones who take a big share, though we (riders) are the ones exposed to risks of accidents and getting killed by robbers,” he said.

He said the average amount of money submitted to the bosses every evening after a driver’s shift is over is Tsh10, 000

The bodaboda business has been growing year after year following the increase of traffic jams in major cities like Dar es Salaam, Mwanza Mbeya and Arusha.

Despite being a solution to traffic congestion, bodabodas have some challenges. Safety and security are not guaranteed.

 At least 8,241 road accidents in 2013 involved motorcyclists according to the national traffic report. Of those, 6,831 caused 1,058 deaths and injured 6,578 other people. At least 870 bodaboda riders died in 2013. Bodaboda accidents contributed to 18.5 percent of the total number of accidents in the year.