CarePay Ltd: Transforming Healthcare Access in Kenya

Discover how CarePay Ltd, founded by Michiel Slootweg and Kees van Lede, revolutionizes healthcare in Kenya with a Mobile Health Wallet for accessible care.

  By Charles Wachira

In 2015, Michiel Slootweg and Kees van Lede embarked on a bold mission to transform how healthcare is accessed in Kenya.

 As seasoned entrepreneurs with a passion for innovative solutions, they co-founded CarePay Ltd, a company registered that same year with an ambitious vision: to leverage mobile technology to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all Kenyans.

 At the core of their idea was a Mobile Health Wallet that would empower millions to access healthcare services with ease.

The Birth of CarePay Ltd

The story of CarePay began when Slootweg and van Lede, both with backgrounds in finance and business, recognized the enormous potential of mobile technology in a country where mobile phone penetration was among the highest in Africa.

 Kenya’s groundbreaking mobile money platform, M-PESA, had already revolutionized how people sent and received money, and they saw an opportunity to extend this innovation to healthcare.

Reflecting on their motivations, Michiel Slootweg stated, “We saw firsthand how mobile technology could change lives. In Kenya, where many people lacked access to traditional banking and insurance, we believed that the same technology could revolutionize healthcare access.”

With a shared vision of bridging the gap between healthcare providers and patients, CarePay Ltd was created as a platform that allows users to save, manage, and spend funds specifically on healthcare through their mobile phones. The goal was simple: make healthcare more affordable, efficient, and inclusive through the use of digital technology.

Backed by Powerhouse Investors

To bring their vision to life, CarePay received early support from two major investors—M-PESA Foundation and IFHA (Investment Fund for Health in Africa). 

The involvement of the M-PESA Foundation was particularly significant, as it provided both financial backing and a connection to Kenya’s existing mobile infrastructure. IFHA, on the other hand, brought expertise in healthcare investments across Africa, ensuring that CarePay’s model was both scalable and sustainable.

Kees van Lede emphasized the importance of these partnerships: “We knew that to create a lasting impact, we needed partners who understood both the healthcare landscape and the power of mobile technology. Our collaboration with M-PESA Foundation and IFHA was crucial in refining our model.”

Filling the Void in Healthcare Access

The CarePay platform works by allowing users to save money on their phones specifically for healthcare services. 

This “Mobile Health Wallet” acts as a digital account where patients, insurers, or donors can deposit funds. These funds can then be spent at partnered healthcare facilities, making healthcare more accessible for individuals who might not have immediate access to cash.

This system provided a significant solution for Kenya’s informal sector workers, who often lacked traditional health insurance.

 For many, sudden healthcare needs would result in financial strain, as out-of-pocket costs for medical care were prohibitive. CarePay’s platform allowed users to accumulate savings, which could be used at any time, reducing financial barriers to accessing medical services.

“The Mobile Health Wallet fills a critical gap in healthcare financing. It empowers individuals to take control of their health expenses,” Slootweg explained. “By creating a system where savings can be directly used for healthcare, we eliminate the anxiety of sudden medical costs.”

Challenges Encountered on the Journey

Despite their success, the journey to building CarePay was not without challenges. Both co-founders faced obstacles, including regulatory hurdles and the need to build trust among users who were unfamiliar with digital healthcare financing.

Van Lede shared, “One of the biggest challenges was educating the population about our service. Many people were skeptical about using mobile technology for healthcare, especially in rural areas. We had to work hard to demonstrate the value and security of our platform.”

Entrepreneurial Background and Entry into Kenya

Before founding CarePay, Michiel Slootweg had significant experience in finance and technology, working with various startups in Europe that focused on mobile and digital solutions.

 Kees van Lede had a background in healthcare investments, which equipped him with insights into the complexities of healthcare systems and the financial challenges they faced.

Their journey to Kenya began with a simple observation: “We saw an opportunity to leverage our expertise in technology and healthcare to create meaningful change,” Slootweg noted. “Kenya was already a leader in mobile innovation, and we believed that together, we could make a difference.”

The Impact of CarePay

Since its launch, CarePay has made a significant impact on healthcare access in Kenya.

 By 2024, the company had enrolled millions of Kenyans, providing them with a reliable and efficient way to save for healthcare expenses and manage their insurance coverage. 

The company also played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring that people could access care and testing services even during times of financial hardship.

Beyond individual healthcare savings, CarePay worked closely with donors and aid organizations to provide healthcare subsidies for vulnerable populations.

 This ensured that even those who could not afford to save for healthcare could still access essential services.

A Vision for the Future

Under the leadership of Michiel Slootweg and Kees van Lede, CarePay continues to grow and evolve. The company’s ambition to provide universal healthcare access is driving its expansion into other African markets, with plans to extend its platform to other countries where healthcare access is limited.

CarePay’s founders envision a future where no one is left behind due to financial barriers in healthcare. 

By harnessing the power of mobile technology, Slootweg and van Lede have pioneered a model that can be replicated across the continent, ensuring that millions more can access the care they need, when they need it, without the fear of financial ruin.

Conclusion

CarePay Ltd is a remarkable story of how entrepreneurial vision, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships can come together to solve one of the most pressing issues of our time—affordable healthcare. 

Through their Mobile Health Wallet, Michiel Slootweg and Kees van Lede have created not just a company but a movement toward universal health care access, impacting lives across Kenya and setting the stage for a healthier Africa. As Slootweg aptly puts it, “We are just getting started. The future is bright for CarePay, and we are committed to making healthcare accessible to everyone.”

Keywords:CarePay Ltd:Mobile Health Wallet:Healthcare access Kenya:Michiel Slootweg:Kees van Lede