An Exclusive interview of Muhammad Kumail Mushtaq, AVP Health Underwriting, TPL Insurance Limited
PAGE: How do you view the role of the private sector in Pakistan’s healthcare ecosystem?
Muhammad Kumail: The private sector has become an important part of healthcare in Pakistan. With growing demand and increasing pressure on public healthcare facilities, private hospitals, diagnostic networks, digital platforms and insurers are helping bridge some of the gaps.
For insurers, the role is quite straightforward: helping people access healthcare without having to bear the full financial burden themselves. Better coordination between the public and private sectors can make healthcare more accessible and affordable.
PAGE: Where does health insurance fit into this evolving healthcare landscape?
Muhammad Kumail: Healthcare is becoming more expensive, and even a single hospitalization can put a family under considerable financial pressure. Health insurance helps manage that risk.
We are also seeing employers place greater importance on healthcare benefits. Whether for an individual, a family or an organization, health insurance is becoming less of an added benefit and more of a practical financial need.
PAGE: What has been TPL Insurance’s approach to strengthening its health insurance portfolio?
Muhammad Kumail: Our focus has been on keeping health insurance relevant and easy to access. We offer solutions for individuals, families and organizations, covering both inpatient and outpatient healthcare.
We have also developed products for specific needs. These include Women Shield, which covers eight distinct women specific illnesses, health insurance for domestic staff and parents, and newer offerings such as Pawsurance for pets. Alongside this, we continue to strengthen our provider network, claims experience and digital services to make things easier for customers.
PAGE: What would you identify as some of the key successes in your health insurance journey?
Muhammad Kumail: One of our key successes has been expanding beyond conventional corporate health insurance and building a more diverse health portfolio.
We have been able to serve a wider range of customers while responding to changing healthcare needs and expectations. At the same time, improvements in our network, digital services and claims experience have made our health offering more accessible and convenient for customers.
PAGE: How can Pakistan increase health insurance penetration?
Muhammad Kumail: We need simpler and more affordable products that go beyond the traditional corporate segment. A large number of individuals and families in Pakistan still have little or no health insurance coverage.
Micro health products, digital distribution and embedded insurance can help us reach more of these customers.
However, awareness regarding financial services and especially insurance is low, as many people still do not fully understand how health insurance can protect them from unexpected medical expenses. This is something that has to be addressed at an industry level, and all companies will have to play a role in building this.
PAGE: What should the private health insurance industry prioritize over the next few years?
Muhammad Kumail: I think the industry needs to recognize that different customers have different needs. A standard health plan cannot work equally well for everyone.
The priority should be to offer relevant and affordable products that are also easy to understand and use. We also need to keep improving customer experience, particularly when it comes to assessing treatment and managing claims.
PAGE: What is your outlook for health insurance in Pakistan?
Muhammad Kumail: I am positive about the outlook. Healthcare costs are rising, awareness is slightly improving and people are becoming more comfortable using digital healthcare and insurance services.
Corporate health will remain important, but there is considerable room for growth in individual, family, micro-health and other specialized solutions. For insurers, the opportunity lies in making health coverage simpler, more relevant and accessible to a much wider segment of the population.