Teachers and Their Dependents Now Covered Under SHA, Duale Confirms

Teachers and Their Dependents Now Covered Under SHA, Duale Confirms

Teachers and their dependents can now breathe a sigh of relief after the government confirmed their eligibility for benefits under the Social Health Authority’s (SHA) medical scheme.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that the new arrangement would allow teachers to benefit from three major funds: the Primary Healthcare Fund (PHC), the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and the Emergency, Critical and Chronic Illness Fund (ECCIF).

Duale emphasized that all teachers and their dependents are entitled to the same healthcare benefits as any other Kenyan registered under the SHA, providing much-needed clarity following recent concerns raised by educators over funding gaps and infrastructure limitations.

Despite the government’s assurance, teachers’ representatives and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) have expressed skepticism about the plan’s feasibility. TSC CEO Nancy Macharia, while appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee, revealed that earlier efforts to integrate teachers into the SHA platform had been hampered by significant infrastructure deficits and funding shortages.

Macharia noted that a consistent budget shortfall had blocked previous transitions. “Even last year, when we explored the possibility of moving to SHA, they informed us they needed Sh37 billion to establish the necessary infrastructure. We currently operate with only Sh20 billion,” she said.

Contract Renewal with Minet Insurance

Due to these financial and infrastructural hurdles, the TSC renewed its three-year contract with Minet Insurance in December 2022, extending coverage until November 2025. This arrangement currently offers teachers a broader range of private healthcare services, leading many educators to fear that switching to SHA could diminish the quality of healthcare they now receive.

While announcing SHA’s readiness to enroll teachers, Duale clarified that the TSC still retains the option to provide complementary insurance coverage through the Public Officers Medical Scheme Fund (POMSF) or via private insurers. He explained that although SHA coverage is comprehensive, employers like the TSC may enhance employee benefits through licensed insurance providers.

Duale highlighted that with 21.6 million people already registered and an additional 50,000 joining daily, SHA continues to expand its footprint across more than 8,000 health facilities nationwide. “This expansion will ensure wider access to quality healthcare for all enrolled members,” he added.

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Despite the government’s push for broader healthcare access under SHA, teachers are demanding a well-defined strategy that addresses budget shortfalls, infrastructure upgrades, and the seamless integration of their current benefits.

Some educators have raised alarms over possible service delivery delays and the inadequacy of medical facilities, particularly in rural areas. One teacher remarked that while they were not opposed to a government-run healthcare system, it must guarantee services equivalent to or better than their current coverage. “Otherwise, it feels like we are being asked to settle for less,” the teacher warned.

Teachers and Their Dependents Now Covered Under SHA, Duale Confirms

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