A Bomet KUPPET official has revealed that the ongoing Teachers Service Commission (TSC) medical insurance crisis has hit Bomet teachers the hardest.
The union’s vice chairperson, Peter Bett, said teachers are forced to pay for medical services upfront at AGC Tenwek Hospital despite contributing to a medical insurance scheme.
Speaking to Education News over the phone, Bett described the situation as a nightmare for many teachers, who can now access medical services.
“In Bomet, AGC Tenwek Hospital is not just a health provider but a vital part of our lives. Many of us rely on Tenwek as our primary healthcare facility, and being directed to seek medical services elsewhere is both unrealistic and distressing,” Bett said.
He emphasized that teachers are entitled to better services and that, according to regulations, the union branch has the right to call for mass demonstrations and picketing to demand their inalienable rights, including functional medical cover.
“I call upon our chairman and executive secretary to grant us the green light to take to the streets. We cannot continue to work under these conditions,” he said.
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Bett urged the KUPPET National Executive Board (NEB) to support their cause so that teachers can continue their duties without unnecessary financial burdens.
“How can we, as teachers, continue to provide quality education while being forced to pay cash for medical services at Tenwek? If anyone doubts the severity of this issue, I have receipts from teachers who have had to pay out of pocket for treatment,” Bett said.
He expressed confidence that if the matter were taken to court, teachers would win a favorable judgment against TSC.
“It is imperative for Minet and AON Kenya Limited (MAKL) to promptly settle its outstanding payments with Tenwek Hospital to prevent such future disruptions. Suppose Tenwek is not reinstated as a provider. In that case, TSC must allow teachers to choose their medical insurance providers or, at the very least, provide them with a medical allowance to access the healthcare services of their choice,” he stated.
The union’s vice chairperson, Peter Bett, said teachers must pay for medical services upfront at AGC Tenwek Hospital despite contributing to a medical insurance scheme.
Speaking to Education News over the phone, Bett described the situation as a nightmare for many teachers, who can now access medical services.
“In Bomet, AGC Tenwek Hospital is not just a health provider but a vital part of our lives. Many of us rely on Tenwek as our primary healthcare facility, and being directed to seek medical services elsewhere is unrealistic and distressing,” Bett said.
He emphasized that teachers are entitled to better services and that, according to regulations, the union branch has the right to call for mass demonstrations and picketing to demand their inalienable rights, including functional medical cover.
“I call upon our chairman and executive secretary to grant us the green light to take to the streets. We cannot continue to work under these conditions,” he said.
Bett urged the KUPPET National Executive Board (NEB) to support their cause so that teachers can continue their duties without unnecessary financial burdens.
“How can we, as teachers, continue to provide quality education while being forced to pay cash for medical services at Tenwek? If anyone doubts the severity of this issue, I have receipts from teachers who have had to pay out of pocket for treatment,” Bett said.
He expressed confidence that if the matter were taken to court, teachers would win a favorable judgment against TSC.
“It is imperative for Minet and AON Kenya Limited (MAKL) to promptly settle its outstanding payments with Tenwek Hospital to prevent such future disruptions. Suppose Tenwek is not reinstated as a provider. In that case, TSC must allow teachers to choose their medical insurance providers or, at the very least, provide them with a medical allowance to access the healthcare services of their choice,” he stated.
“We cannot continue to suffer under this broken system. The time to act is now,” Bett concluded.
By our repoerter
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