By Education News Reporter
AON Minet has for the last 7 years offered comprehensive medical cover for over 340,000 Kenyan teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and their dependents and it’s currently seeking to renew the contract for the third time.
However, stakeholders’ have stated that if the service provider will have another chance; it should ensure that it deal firmly with emerging issues that teachers and other stakeholders have frequently been raising in order to streamline its operations.
Speaking to Education News recently, Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) Vihiga Executive Secretary Sabala Inyeni asked the employer [TSC] to improve the cover even as the service provider seeks to have the contract renewed.
“We want this cover to be harmonized and streamlined so that teachers don’t incur challenges any time they are seeking medical attention,” said Sabala.
The union official complained of making numerous phone calls to the hospital authorities while sorting out teachers’ medical issues.
“Like in my case, I have put up two call centers specifically for this; it is like we are employees of AON Minet. We are forced to receive and make phone calls around the clock any time teachers are in distress. This should not be the case with a service provider who understands their mandate,” Sabala added.
KUPPET Narok Executive Secretary Charles Ng’eno told Education News that the scheme has done well especially on inpatient services noting that a healthy teacher is a wealthy teacher.
He noted that the scheme has seen teachers having bills amounting to thousands of shillings being bailed out. However, he observes that there is a lot to be done on outpatient and approval of bills.
“Why should it take the intervention of the union for the bills to be approved? A system that ensures no delays and accompanying inconveniences should be established. Teachers have put their money into this cover and expect nothing less,” said Ng’eno.
KUPPET Busia Executive Secretary Okisai Moffats on his part stated that despite the scheme having been operational for the last seven (7) years, it has been characterized with a couple of challenges and a few success; adding that every Kenya citizen and more importantly teachers have a right to quality, affordable and accessible health care, a right that is being infringed on teachers by AON Minet.
“The scheme receives a total of Ksh 6 billion from teachers and an additional Ksh 3 billion from the government. Interestingly, the services rendered to the teachers are not commensurate to the money being deducted,” said Okisai.
He added that if teachers are not treated with dignity, the country will have lost since they are the ones handling the future generation who when frustrated; the trickle-down effect will be felt upon the learners.
“It’s our hope and prayer that TSC and Minet address the pertinent concerns raised to improve the scheme before any renewal of the contract,” said Okisai.
The Teachers Medical Scheme is designed around pooling of medical allowances from teachers into a consolidated fund to provide a comprehensive medical cover for eligible teachers and dependants, including group life (death in service cover) and last expense cover in case of demise of the principal member.
TSC advertised for the tender in August this year whereby the winner will be required to cover outpatient, maternity, dental, optical, and emergency air and road evacuation services, as well funeral expenses for a three-year period among other benefits.
