Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale is chairing a high-level meeting at the Ministry of Health, bringing together the officials from the Social Health Authority (SHA), Teachers Service Commission (TSC), and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) to align on the Mwalimu Comprehensive Medical Cover.
According to the reports, the talks focused on constructive engagement and alignment on the way forward, and aim to secure uninterrupted access to quality healthcare for teachers under the Social Health Insurance framework.
The meeting resulted to various strategies to make the scheme viable.
To strengthen service delivery under the scheme, the CS announced that 425 Senior Officers have been appointed within SHA, with 367 deployed to counties to provide on-the-ground support and assist teachers facing challenges at health facilities.
He further revealed that a dedicated 24-hour focal person has been assigned to handle urgent issues under the Mwalimu Medical Cover, while 47 County Joint Committees have been established to oversee implementation of the Teachers Medical Scheme at the county level.
ALSO READ:
Mumias Central Comprehensive School appeals for support to build more classrooms
The committees, chaired by TSC County Directors and comprising SHA managers and union representatives, will meet quarterly to resolve operational issues and improve coordination.
Duale also announced the activation of a 24-hour toll-free hotline (0800 720 601) and short code (147) to support teachers experiencing emergencies or administrative challenges while accessing care.
In addition, SHA, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and KUPPET will roll out a nationwide education campaign to help teachers understand their benefits, access the patient portal, and navigate the scheme.
The CS emphasized that workers’ interests remain safeguarded within the governance structure of SHA, noting that the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) is represented on the Authority’s Board.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr. Ouma Oluga, Director-General for Health Dr. Patrick Amoth, SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Digital Health Agency CEO Eng. Anthony Lenayara, KUPPET Secretary-General Akelo Misori, and TSC Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei, alongside senior Ministry of Health officials.
The CS further warned health facilities against denying patients treatment under the pretext of system downtime, stating that such actions are unacceptable and violate Kenyans’ constitutional right to healthcare.
The meeting comes after the teacher unions led by KUPPET threatened to withdraw fully from SHA if the underlying issues are not addressed and teachers offered a comprehensive medical cover to ease their woes.
By Juma Ndigo
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
