We’ve all heard it; Covid-19 ICU admission can mean the difference between life or death, but that saying is especially true for people who experience sudden cash run-out.

“You can be very young, you can be very old, it does not matter. Covid-19 does not discriminate and can affect anyone at any time,” says MANDA UMAR, Platinum Credit Logbook finance customer.

Treating Covid 19 is one of the most expensive and life-threatening experiences one can ever go through. Many hospitals have revealed that they are charging between Shs2m and Shs5m per day to treat a critically ill patient. The patient spends 14 to 31 days in hospital depending on the severity of the disease, according to medical experts. These charges are largely unbearable to many Ugandans.

Umar’s admission to Namboole Covid-19 Treatment Center was a beginning of a journey towards an inevitable spending due to the demands by the medical personnel at the facility. From buying every little drug to paying for any service, running out of cash would be the worst nightmare one would ever experience.

On the 28th June 2021 Umar’s situation worsened and was referred to a bigger treatment center for further management.  “At this point, I had no single coin on me but I was determined to get this money lest I lose my life”, Said Umar.  

After several failures of soliciting funds from close family members and friends, Umar’s wife walked to the nearby bank where the loans officer advised her to bring a number of documents among which included bill payments. The wife was further told, there was no guarantee Umar would be given money.

Umar who was an active customer then, with Platinum credit received a miraculous notification that he qualified for upto 480,000Ugx if he applied for a top-up. He immediately called the customer care number 0800300500 that was listed on the SMS, where Patience Kanyesigye a call center agent directed him through the application process via USSD.  

“He called me in a quavering voice and said his only hope was platinum credit, he didn’t have any one next to him, not even his wife since it was an ICU facility. So, I had to direct him through the USSD *249# quick Cash where he was able to apply for a    top-up.” Said Patience Kanyesigye, an agent attached to the call center.

Appraised by Irene Namuli and Ernest Adome both under the credit department, this loan was disbursed  to his phone in a record time of less than 2 hours after application.

Umar Manda who was later referred to the Orthopedic Hospital for further management was last Wednesday discharged after testing negative of Covid-19.

While speaking to him earlier today, Umar continues to thank Platinum credit for the speed at which his loan was processed. it was because of that money that he still has a life till now. “It seems very little but to me it saved my life, I was able to buy some of the tabs that weren't provided at the facility. I was also able to pay for the ambulance that evacuated me from Namboole to Namuwongo Orthopedic Hospital." Umar said.