Teachers Threaten Strike Over Medical Cover Suspension Amid SHA Payment Delays.
Teachers from six counties in the North Rift region have given the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) insurance provider, Minet, a 24-hour deadline to reinstate medical services at key hospitals in Eldoret.
Represented by the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and the Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET), the educators have warned that failure to restore these services will lead to a strike.
Union officials, while leading a demonstration at Minet’s Eldoret offices, expressed their outrage over the service suspension. They highlighted the difficulties teachers are experiencing due to the disruption, emphasizing the urgent need for reinstatement.
According to the union leaders, Minet halted services at Reale Hospital, Life Care Hospital, and Top Hill Hospital. This move has left teachers without access to essential medical care, a situation that the officials argue is unacceptable.
Sammy Bor, the KNUT Executive Secretary for the Chepkoilel branch, strongly criticized the insurance provider’s decision, describing it as unjustifiable. He highlighted the plight of teachers, particularly those battling terminal illnesses, who are now left vulnerable.
He called on the TSC to intervene swiftly to ensure teachers can continue accessing medical treatment from the affected hospitals. Bor stressed that the current situation is an affront to teachers, as their contributions are deducted, and they should be entitled to healthcare.
He stated that Minet must reinstate services within 24 hours at the affected hospitals, adding that suspending medical services for teachers is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated any longer.
“We are giving Minet 24 hours to reinstate services at Reale, Life Care, and Top Hill hospitals. Suspending medical services for our members is an insult to teachers in this country.”
“Our members’ contributions are deducted, and they deserve to receive the medical care they require. This situation cannot continue,” Bor stated.
KUPPET Echo Concerns
Paul Biwot, a KUPPET official from Elgeyo Marakwet, condemned Minet’s actions, accusing the insurer of disregarding teachers’ welfare by restricting them to a single medical facility in Eldoret.
Biwot argued that Eldoret serves educators from six counties, making it unreasonable to limit access to only one hospital. He announced that if the suspension remains in place, teachers will boycott classes starting Wednesday, February 5.
He emphasized that forcing all teachers to rely on one hospital will lead to overcrowding and negatively impact their well-being. Furthermore, he questioned the rationale behind the decision to withdraw services from all major hospitals in the region.
Mounting Financial Crisis at Tenwek Hospital
Tenwek Hospital is grappling with a severe financial crisis, exacerbated by the failure of the Social Health Authority (SHA) and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to honor their obligations.
Board Chairman Robert Langat revealed that the hospital is owed nearly a billion Kenyan shillings, with 591 million owed by NHIF alone. Langat explained that these arrears have put the hospital in a precarious position, making it nearly impossible to pay suppliers and staff.
He emphasized that the hospital relies on operational revenue, as donor funding is strictly allocated to capital development projects.
For instance, a recent five-billion-shilling project was fully donor-funded, but operational costs like staff salaries and critical supplies remain unfunded. Senior consultants at the hospital cost nearly one million shillings each per month, further straining the limited resources.
Langat disclosed that crisis meetings have been held over the past two weeks, including discussions with the leadership of World Gospel Mission, international partners, and the hospital’s board.
These engagements sought solutions to the mounting debt and operational challenges. The hospital has also reached out to the government, highlighting the urgency of resolving the payment backlog.
Despite multiple forums involving the Ministry of Health, Cabinet Secretaries, and Principal Secretaries, little progress has been made. The board expressed concern that the government may be neglecting its obligations, particularly payments from NHIF and SHA.
Suspension of Police and Teachers’ Medical Covers
As a result of the financial strain, Tenwek Hospital suspended medical covers for police officers and teachers last week. Langat stated that this decision will remain in effect until pending payments are settled.
He noted that NHIF alone owes over 200 million shillings, while SHA owes more than 120 million. These arrears have also disrupted the procurement of critical equipment and supplies, with vendors suspending deliveries due to non-payment.
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Langat called on Kenyans to pressure the government and its agencies to fulfill their financial obligations. He lamented that since the launch of the Cardiothoracic Training Centre last year, the hospital has received only 200 million shillings from NHIF, a figure he described as inadequate given the growing debts.
The board urged the government to prioritize payments to SHA and NHIF, warning that continued neglect could cripple essential health services at Tenwek Hospital, a lifeline for many in Bomet and surrounding regions.
Teachers Threaten Strike Over Medical Cover Suspension Amid SHA Payment Delays
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