CARVAN (COFFLE FOR GOOD HEALTH)

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are pivotal in driving a country's economy, contributing significantly to exports, production, and employment. In Pakistan, a developing nation, SMEs account for a substantial portion of the GDP. With approximately 3.3 million SMEs and providing employment for 80% of the non-agricultural labor force (21 million employees and than their families), their importance cannot be overstated.

Despite their economic significance, only a few SMEs in Pakistan providing quality healthcare facilities to their employees. Amidst the current economic challenges, many have ceased providing healthcare benefits, making it exceedingly difficult for employees to access quality medical treatment. This leaves individuals with the dilemma of either borrowing funds for medical care or abandoning treatment altogether, exacerbating their already precarious situations. This issue affects over 15 million SME employees across Pakistan on a daily basis.

Moreover, a significant portion of Pakistan's population, approximately 60 million individuals, are engaged with unorganized retail businesses, lacking access to quality healthcare facilities.. 

In Karachi, only 2 or 3 public healthcare centers out of 16 major units, and in the Sindh Province, 6 hospitals out of 27 main units, offer comprehensive facilities. The remaining units primarily provide either primary or tertiary care services at the government level. While private hospitals and healthcare facilities are abundant, they are often prohibitively expensive for the more than 100 million people who cannot afford them. This underscores the urgent need for accessible and affordable healthcare solutions to cater to the healthcare needs of the population.

We have established a technology-enabled micro health insurance system in collaboration with leading insurers in Pakistan.

This subsidized health insurance program is designed specifically for small corporations and retail businesses, providing coverage for their employees and families. Through Karwan's medical and insurance services delivered via digital platforms and on-site health activities, we aim to make quality healthcare accessible to the underprivileged. Our comprehensive initiatives encompass free Tele-consultations through qualified GPs, Insurance awareness sessions, On-site physical health screenings, mental health workshop and sessions, 24/7 helpline and proactive measures to combat seasonal and pandemic diseases.

By bridging the gap between individuals, employers, businesses, and insurance companies, Karwan e Shifa is effectively connecting the dots and ensuring access to healthcare for million of people.

The solution outlined above effectively fulfills our aim to provide access to top-notch quality hospitals in the town for every registered member, regardless of their socio-economic status or position.

We are dedicated to alleviating poverty by guaranteeing access to a high-quality healthcare system for SME employees and their families. Presently, we have 20,000 registered members and provide them with access to top-quality private hospitals without any socio-economic discrimination. Our goal is to enroll over 2 million retail shopkeepers, roadside stall owners, and their families, extending the benefits of our program to a larger segment of the population.

Providing quality healthcare treatments for the entire family enables employees to work with peace of mind and achieve better results, ultimately benefiting the overall economy and contributing to a healthier society.

Additionally, this healthcare system helps employees save money that they can allocate towards their children's education and other expenses, thus securing a better future for their families.

With over a decade of experience in the micro health insurance industry and health ecosystem, our team is well-equipped to cater to the unique needs of corporation or SME's employees. Our representatives visit organizations regularly to gain a comprehensive understanding of their employees' healthcare requirements, considering factors such as work nature, environment, and health conditions. Based on this assessment, our insurance experts design customized insurance products tailored to meet the specific needs of each organization. Once both the employer and insurer reach a mutual agreement, our medical team adds value to the insurance product by incorporating additional healthcare services, ensuring comprehensive coverage for employees and their families.

Process Flow

1. Our representative visit's the SME corporate office or factory and asses the healthcare needs of their staff according to the work nature and other demographics

2. Karwan's insurance experts design relevant insurance packages for staff and their families, tailoring them to meet specific needs. Subsequently, they negotiate with top insurers to secure the best possible subsidized costs. 

3. After enrolling employees and their families our trained insurance team conducts insurance awareness session at the workplace and brief them about the usage how, when & where to make sure the maximum use of it also provide employees access to our mobile application to view their available benefits

4. Karwan's medical team conducts health screening sessions at the workplace of employees to detect any undiagnosed diseases and arrange the best treatment solutions for them and their families. This early detection not only benefits the employee but also the insurer and the employer. The screening and treatment details are made available exclusively to the employee through Karwan's mobile app on their smartphone.

5. Our team of doctors conducts medical workshops through our mobile app, social media platforms, and vlogs, covering various health topics and addressing mental health issues.

6. Our registered members also have access to online video call consultations for primary care and emergency situations.

We have partnered with six top insurance companies, all of which are A+ rated in Pakistan, and have established a network of over 600 high-quality private hospitals. Additionally, we have aligned with 45 corporate entities and over 300 retail outlets, benefiting a total of 20,000 direct beneficiaries through our program.

To cater to their needs, we have launched our mobile and web application, offering online services. Many of our service offerings are unique and pioneering in Pakistan. For instance, we are the first service provider to offer medical claim payments and processing through a digital system or online banking, a feature that sets us apart in the industry.

We are actively seeking to engage and connect with more healthcare service providers to expand our network and enhance our mobile application. Our goal is to introduce new features such as telemedicine, online consultations with a team of doctors including general practitioners and specialists, to further improve the capabilities of our mobile app and deliver added value to our registered members.

We are currently in need of IT support, primarily, as well as a network of GPs and doctors to collaborate with. Additionally, we are seeking marketing solutions to attract more SMEs and corporates to adopt our comprehensive healthcare solution.

We are actively seeking to engage and connect with more healthcare service providers to expand our network and enhance our mobile application. Our goal is to expand features such as telemedicine, providing a network for online consultations with a team of doctors including general practitioners, specialists, and female doctors specifically. This expansion will further improve the capabilities of our mobile app and deliver added value to our registered members.

We are currently in need of IT support, primarily, as well as a network of GPs and doctors to collaborate with. Additionally, we are seeking marketing solutions to attract more SMEs and corporates to adopt our comprehensive healthcare solution.

While there are other companies offering various components of our product, our solution stands out by providing all services under one umbrella. For example insurance companies may offer coverage, they may not include health screenings, online consultations with doctors, onsite medical workshops, or digital claim reimbursements. Similarly, some telemedicine providers offer online GP consultations, and financial institutions may handle online medical claims only, but none offer all of these services in one place.

Our solution is a comprehensive one-stop solution, and the digital integration of our mobile and web application further enhances our innovation and uniqueness.

Since the majority of people lack access to quality healthcare centers due to financial constraints or the unavailability of facilities, they often resort to borrowing loans or leave diseases untreated. In both cases, this is harmful not only to the individual but also to society as a whole. Our solution addresses both obstacles by providing peace of mind to individuals and helping society maintain equality, financial sustainability, and good health conditions overall.

Our primary goal is to provide quality healthcare treatments to the general population without imposing any financial burden on them. By enhancing their health and financial well-being, our solution has a positive impact on society as a whole.

The market has shown confidence in our solution, as evidenced by the growth not only in financial metrics but also in the number of individual enrollments and partnerships with corporates and SMEs. Additionally, the increasing usage of our solution for hospital treatments, online video consultations, and customer service calls reflects a growing belief in its effectiveness, demonstrated by its day-by-day expansion.

Our mobile and web-based applications serve as a technological cornerstone for our solution. They facilitate the collection of big data for the health industry, providing insurance companies with disease- and location-specific data. This wealth of information enables us to offer highly valuable customized health solutions for corporates, tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.

Online claim submissions promote paperless working, while video call consultations save fuel consumption and energy for enrolled members. This aligns with the principles of virtual reality and contributes to climate change efficiency.

We operate with a team of 7 full-time staff members and 12 part-time members.

We initiated our solution in 2019 and officially launched our organization in 2020. We have obtained proper licensing and registration with all relevant government entities in compliance with the law. Now, after four years of operation, our solution is experiencing rapid growth.

Out of our seven full-time staff members, two are female. One of them holds the position of director within the company, while the other leads the Mental Health department. Additionally, one core member of our permanent staff is a differently-abled person who oversees the insurance claim section.

At our workplace, we prioritize equal opportunities for all staff members. We foster an environment where everyone's voice is heard and respected. There's no hierarchy in the office, and each team member has the right to express themselves in a respectful manner.

Our core business model revolves around providing equal access to quality healthcare by shifting the risk to insurance companies rather than individuals or SMEs. We derive our service fee from corporates and earn insurance brokerage commissions from insurance companies since our company assumes no risk in providing coverage.

Through our model, SMEs and corporates benefit from superior insurance products and rates, while employees and their families gain access to quality healthcare and treatments at top private hospitals. This win-win solution not only positively impacts the population but also contributes to the economy and businesses at large.

We commenced our business operations in 2020, immediately following the outbreak of Covid-19, which initially posed challenges to our operations. However, it also presented an opportune moment to launch, given our focus on healthcare for the general public.

The global financial crisis had a profound impact on many businesses, leading to partial or complete shutdowns of renowned companies worldwide. Pakistan's financial situation was particularly affected, posing significant challenges for businesses. Despite these obstacles, we persevered through the period, although we did not achieve our initial goal of breaking even.

Since 2022, we have experienced continuous growth and are poised to scale up our operations. We have surpassed the breakeven point and are now self-sustainable.