US medical billing firm, ONQ has hired 200 youth to operate its calling center based in Nyeri County that will offer services to Americans.

During the unveiling of the centre in Nyeri town on Thursday, August 4, ONQ Kenyan Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sean Hammerle, stated that the youth had been trained in the US medical sector and would provide support to patients using the platform.

He revealed that the 200 youth would be tasked with responding to billing and insurance queries raised by the callers.

ONQ Kenya CEO Sean Hammerle together Nyeri Governor Mutahi at their call center on August 4, 2022.

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"Our agents are knowledgeable in the processes of US medical billing and automation. Furthermore, ONQ employees gain exposure to working in a global company.

“With a source of livelihood and stable income, the Nyeri ONQ agents can reach their professional and personal goals. ONQ has become a safety net for educated youth to secure long-term career opportunities for personal growth," he stated.  

Hammerle explained that the company decided to set shop in Nyeri because a majority of the youth in the area were educated hence easy to understand what the work entailed.

The CEO added the call center would help expose solve employment in the country. He estimated that 300 more youth would be employed before the year ends as they expand the call center.

“In establishing the ONQ office in any place in the world, one of the company’s greatest considerations is the impact it will make on the youth in that particular area. This explains why the company avoids setting shop in major cities but instead chooses rural towns where the impact of youth employment and skills transfer will be felt most.”

“We did not have the idea of expanding our base beyond the US and India until the global pandemic hit. We got the idea of diversifying our workforce so as to protect our clients globally. I realised that working in Nyeri was easier because there are a majority of highly educated youths,” Hammerle stated. 

On his part, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga stated that the investment of the US firm would help in opening the county to other investment opportunities.

The company also has other offices in the US, India and Panama with similar services offered in the three countries. 

"By partnering with ONQ, physicians, billing companies, hospitals and payors can capitalize on billing expertise, take control of their revenue cycle, maximize reimbursements, and enjoy complete transparency of their business operations," ONG states on their website.

An image of a call operator at the ONQ offices in Nyeri. FACEBOOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF NYERI